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Residents urge county to oppose proposed solar project as Excel Energy declines to negotiate JDA
Summary
Public commenters urged the county to resist a proposed solar farm and a related JDA with Excel Energy; the county administrator reported Excel declined further negotiation and said staff plan a PSC filing later this year.
Several residents told the St. Croix County Board they oppose a proposed solar project in Erin Prairie and Hammond townships, raising process and safety concerns and criticizing how leases were handled. Jan Sapuric told the board landowners had signed leases without public disclosure, that more than 5,000 people signed a petition opposing the project, and that a joint development agreement (JDA) could preempt Public Service Commission review; she warned that proposed battery storage raised firefighter safety concerns.
County Administrator Witt updated the board on the County’s negotiation status with Excel Energy, saying Atollis Law had transmitted the committee and staff materials to the developer and that "they've declined to negotiate any further. And so their response is no JDA." Witt said the county plans to file at the Public Service Commission at the end of the year and that the matter will return to the Community Development Committee for further action.
Public commenters also announced an event (United West Wisconsin) to educate residents about hyperscale data centers and related siting concerns.
