Xcel Energy Shares Update on St. Croix County Solar Farm Plans

Xcel Energy officials shared an update on plans for a massive solar farm in St. Croix County that has seen significant community opposition.

During a recent public meeting, officials announced that private landowners have agreed to lease all of the land needed for the Ten Mile Creek Solar facility. They say the first phase of the project is still on track, and they will also consider beginning construction of a battery energy storage system earlier than anticipated.

When completed, the project will feature a 5,000 acre solar field. The facility is meant to replace the energy production that will be lost when a coal-fueled power plant near Stillwater closes in 2028.

Xcel Energy plans to apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin by the end of the year. The application and review process could take as long as 18 months. It will also include an environmental review by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and residents will have a number of opportunities to provide their input on the project.

Area residents expressed significant opposition to the announcement of the solar facility plans. An online petition opposing the project received thousands of signatures, as residents expressed concerns with the impact of the solar field on the local environment and wildlife.

In response to those concerns, Xcel Energy officials assured residents that the project would have little to no impact on property values and would not leak any toxic material. They also said they would work to minimize any impact on wildlife in the area. Company officials further noted that the project would create hundreds of union jobs during development and provide over $1 million in annual payments to St. Croix County and the local towns.