An Xcel Energy multi-phase 650-megawatt solar photovoltaic project that would power over 140,000 homes is facing a lot of backlash as a petition against it has reached 3,800 signatures. The Ten Mile Creek Solar Project is projected to span about 5,000 acres and have multiple phases, with construction expected from late 2027 to late 2029, according to Xcel’s website. If approved, the development would fall into a 30-40,000 acre area in central and eastern St. Croix County, installing panels throughout and constructing a 10-acre substation. The land comes from Xcel Energy working with private landowners to purchase or lease it.

The Ten Mile Creek Solar Project would connect back to the regional power grid at the coal-fueled Allen S. King power plant in Bayport, Minn., through a 15-mile transmission line. Despite the King Power Plant being scheduled to retire in 2028, the regional grid will remain. Since it connects back to the regional grid, non-Xcel customers would receive energy from the proposal as well.

“The King Power Plant is located directly across the border on the St. Croix River and has served customers in the region through the existing grid for decades. In order to utilize the existing grid connections including a large substation, new generation needs to be located in close proximity,” Xcel’s website states.

The application process involves Xcel applying for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) in mid-2025. The process can take from 12-18 months, Xcel’s website states, going through public input as well as an evaluation from the state’s Department of Natural Resources.

The petition titled “STOP Xcel Energy's King Transmission - Tenmile Creek Solar Farm in St. Croix County” has been the talk of the area, petition creator Dan W. said. He claimed many of the people who have voiced their concerns are not against solar energy, rather the size of the project and its proximity to residential areas. Dan declined to share his full name because he feels it is a community-based issue, not an individual one.

There’s a list of concerns about health, safety and the environment, claims of misleading information and alternate routes Xcel could take all laid out in the change.org petition.

“This issue is personal. Our health, our farmlands, our homes, our rural communities, the natural habitat and our rural lifestyle and culture are at risk. We need to show Xcel Energy that rural communities hold value that goes way beyond their commercial pursuit of profit. To make matters worse, the energy produced by this massive industrial solar farm in St. Croix County will be sent back across the border to Minnesota via the King Transmission Line. We must unite and protect the health and safety of our residents, our rural Wisconsin landscape, natural habitat, property values and livelihoods from this massive industrial encroachment. Sign this petition and help us preserve human health and safety as well as the environment and our rural St. Croix County for generations to come,” the petition states.

Dan cited multiple incidents in the past regarding solar energy including a solar farm battery fire in New York in July that allegedly brought toxic smoke into the community and Clean Water Act violations in Alabama, Idaho and Illinois.

Dan said he, as well as the other residents whop live nearby to where this project would be constructed, learned about it through an Xcel newsletter through the mail. He said the informational flyer was one that many likely threw away thinking it was a regular annual newsletter, and he likely would have had the same fate if his son did not point out what it actually was.

“They had a map of the area that they would install these millions of solar panels and our house was within the zone,” Dan said.

Dan’s petition includes nine health and safety risks, 11 environmental risks and five economic and other risks. Some of the primary associated risks Dan mentioned are a loss of farmland and animal habitat, residential exposure to electromagnetic fields, stray voltage and low frequency sound and decreased property values.

Xcel Regional Vice President Brian Elwood said in an article from WCCO News that he expects “little to no change” in property values.

Although the newsletter did include notice of an informational meeting of the project in December, Dan and a commenter on the petition both mentioned it felt like a short notice meeting.

“Xcel Energy quietly moved forward with this project, providing late notice of an open house ‘Q&A’ in Hudson. After attending the open house, I left feeling poorly informed, or misinformed, and was alarmed at how far this project had already progressed,” a Hammond commenter wrote.

A common claim in favor of solar farms is the clean energy factor, with many claiming to be zero carbon sources. This is something countered in the petition by stating carbon emissions and other pollution stemd from the manufacturing, construction, transport and upkeep of the project.

“If the plan comes to fruition, it will have a significant impact on our local environment, including the loss of wildlife habitat, possible soil erosion and runoff, negative human health impacts and disruption of our local agriculture industry. Furthermore, the rural scenic beauty of our community, a key factor in our property values, will be materially degraded or worse,” the petition states.

In addition to the concerns, the petition lays out what its backers would like to see from Xcel and the governmental bodies involved. They are asking St. Croix County to step in to represent the concerned population in front of the PSCW.

“We want the entire solar farm project to be stopped to protect the health, welfare and safety of area residents, wildlife and the environment and to protect area residents from the catastrophic impacts on property values and quality of life,” the petition states. “If the solar farm project is allowed to proceed, we want it to be greatly reduced in size to minimize its many negative impacts on the environment, wildlife and local residents.”

In the event that the solar farm can proceed, not only do they want the scale shrunk, but they also want it to be moved at least a mile from residential areas, moved away from houses that have not signed agreements to lease or sell their land to Xcel, moved away from “sensitive natural wildlife” that includes the Nagel Wildlife Management Area and the Casey Lake State Wildlife Area and they want it to face a comprehensive study to measure the environmental impact.

Xcel’s site states they will comply with all environmental regulations, plan on building wildlife-friendly fencing and will conduct site studies to mitigate impact. The company also feels it could be beneficial for farmers.

“Solar farms can work alongside traditional farming, helping landowners diversify their income. Solar projects benefit agriculture and ecosystems by improving soil health, retaining water, nurturing native species and supporting pollinators. Native plants established throughout the site help retain water, preserve topsoil and improve soil health. After the project is decommissioned, the land can be farmed again,” the website states.

Each year, over $3 million in shared revenue would be spread to municipalities housing the project.

Dan said if people want to make their voices heard, they should provide spoken or written testimony at future PSCW meetings.

More information is available at https://wi.my.xcelenergy.com/customersupport/s/projects/tenmile-creek-solar and the petition can be found here.