In rural St. Croix County, large-scale solar developments have been a hot topic for several years as developers have been scoping out the area as a likely place for solar development. The topic and conversations have intensified in the last year as Xcel Energy has formally announced its intention to build a solar generation facility with up to 650 megawatts of generation capacity in the middle of the county. 

Since Xcel’s public mailings and outreach, there have been heated conversations across the region. Many folks are uncomfortable with the conversion of farmland to what they consider an unattractive and industrial use. Other folks feel that this is a necessary step towards an energy grid that isn’t reliant on coal and natural gas and are concerned about private property rights of landowners. Many citizens remain undecided, uncertain of what the impact would be on the community and nervous about potential changes which might come to the county in any form, including solar projects, more housing developments, or worsening climate change. 

In the interest of a conversation around solar energy where all parties are using known facts, shared values, and mutual respect, St. Croix CURES and the St. Croix Farmers Union are hosting a session to provide information on the options available to the community. The speakers will provide what information is known about St. Croix county’s current electrical grid, the Tenmile Creek solar project, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC), and examples from around the state of negotiations with solar projects in their communities.

This is an informational event that aims to educate, clarify facts, and answer questions and concerns, rather than advocate. Funding for this event comes from Wisconsin Farmers Union. The event is open to all for in-person or virtual attendance. 

For months now, there have been significant gaps in information easily accessible to the public and a lot of people in the county have been given information only through hearsay and word of mouth. 

“The planners of this event originally wanted a space for discourse, but during discussion, it became clear that before we can have respectful dialogue, we need to have some groundwork of basic information where people aren’t just shouting concerns at each other. In the interest of creating that space first, we’re hosting this educational session,” said Tara Greiman, director of Conservation & Stewardship for the Wisconsin Farmers Union. 

If attendees feel it would be helpful, the event’s planners are willing to co-host facilitated discussion sessions in the next few weeks for citizens of diverse viewpoints to discuss what they would like to see for St. Croix County. 

The event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Northwoods Tech College, 1019 S. Knowles Ave. in New Richmond. It is free and open to the public, with both in-person and virtual attendance options.
Planners are asking people to please RSVP in order that they can have ample refreshments and seating or to make online accommodations for those who will be attending virtually. You can RSVP online at wisconsinfarmersunion.com/events or by contacting Tara at 715-492-0329, tgreiman@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Submitted by Wisconsin Farmers Union