Commission approves CPCN for Emerald Bluffs Solar Park with conditions

The commission voted on Jan. 21, 2026 to approve a certificate of public convenience and necessity for Emerald Bluffs Solar Park LLC to construct a 225 megawatt alternating‑current solar photovoltaic generating facility and a 1.14‑mile, 345 kilovolt transmission line in towns in Juneau County, Wisconsin.

Commissioner Nieto, who led the discussion, said the record supports approval with conditions after staff and the Department of Natural Resources reviewed the environmental assessment and project commitments. "I appreciate the applicant's proactive work on good neighbor agreements," Nieto said, noting the developer had reported eight executed agreements and was pursuing more than 20 additional agreements with local landowners.

The commission adopted several project‑specific conditions discussed during the decision matrix. Commissioners approved allowing the applicant to use either primary or alternate solar array areas and either of two gen‑tie routes, provided the applicant gives the commission written notice within 30 days of electing an alternate array or the alternative gen‑tie route. Nieto read the condition aloud: the applicant "shall provide written notice to the commission identifying the choice to use the alternative gen tie line within 30 days of the decision to use the alternative gen tie line." Chair Strand and Commissioner Hawkins supported the modified alternative that includes this 30‑day notification requirement.

The commission also agreed to include standard order conditions plus an added competitive‑bidding — or competitive‑procurement — condition consistent with prior solar CPCN cases, a measure commissioners said improves visibility into the bidding and construction process and may help address concerns about cost overruns and future rate‑base implications.

In presenting the project's benefits, Commissioner Nieto said the arrays would occupy about 1,135 acres of primary sites with about 280 acres of alternate sites available, and that construction would create roughly 270 jobs. She also cited an annual utility aid payment estimate of $1,125,000 to local governments, which she calculated over a 35‑year operational period would amount to about $39,400,000.

Nieto said the applicant described the project as a merchant generator rather than a public utility and that a future sale to a regulated utility would require a separate buy‑sell proceeding. She also noted the developer estimated a 30‑year project life, potentially extendable to 50 years, and that the record included both supportive and opposing public input: 126 written comments (105 in favor) and a petition with 166 signatures urging rejection.

On environmental review, commissioners agreed the environmental assessment prepared by commission staff and the DNR complied with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA) and that an environmental impact statement was not required; they found the EA and the applicant's mitigation commitments addressed potential adverse impacts. Nieto highlighted mitigation commitments intended to protect waterways from runoff, reduce impacts to birds and bats, and prevent the spread of invasive plant species.

Commissioner Nieto moved to approve the CPCN consistent with the discussion; the motion was seconded and the chair called for a voice vote. The motion carried.

The commission concluded its official business and adjourned. The next open meeting was announced for Jan. 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.