Patrick Testin and Scott Krug anounce local control solar legislation. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Two Central Wisconsin lawmakers are introducing a bill aimed at allowing small, localized solar energy projects.
The Community Solar Legislation would allow for projects on underutilized land or spaces, such as farmland that’s not being used or the roof of a building, with power generated from the panels distributed locally. It’s the third time the proposal has been introduced. Krug says he’s seen support grow each time, and he expects bipartisan support this time around.
“This is the third session that this bill has been around, and the coalition has been growing,” said Krug. “It should be, I think, bipartisan this session.”
Projects would be brought to the city, village, or township in which they would reside for approval, which would include zoning approval and a 2/3rds majority vote from the local governing body. Those who buy in would see a credit on their electric bill. Krug notes that projects on family farmland would also bring another income stream to the landowner. “Being from the Central Sands, if you drive through at any time and you see a center-pivot irrigation system. [If it’s] 40 acres that you’re irrigating, you’ll have five acres that just can’t catch water. That’s a lost revenue stream for a farmer. You can put a five megawatt project in the corners, and it’ll be usable for the community.”
Similar bills have been enacted in 20 other states, including Illinois. Krug says Minnesota is also fine-tuning its own version of the proposal.
“Wisconsin is a co-op state. We were built on this model that if we create something, we can all share in the benefits. This is another model. If you want to subscribe to this, you can. If not, you don’t have to,” added Krug.
Krug announced the bill in Wausau alongside Senator Patrick Testin of Stevens Point. The bill will be circulated to co-sponsors this week. Krug expects hearings on the proposal later this year, and votes will likely come early next year.
The two were joined by Wisconsin-based contractors who work on solar projects. Leaders of the company said they have driven out of state to complete projects. Krug says he wants to see them working here at home.
“They’ve gotta get in the car and ship off eight hours to Illinois to go work. They could do that anywhere in Central Wisconsin; they could be [working on] the roof at Wal-Mart in Rib Mountain or down in Wisconsin Rapids, roofing the shuttered paper mill. It drives me insane that we are chasing people eight hours away to find work.”
The announcement came the same day that Governor Tony Evers visited RedEye Brewing Company in Wausau to discuss clean energy. During the stop, he says he would support such a measure, saying “anything we can do to increase the use of solar, I think that’s important,” though he adds he would need to see the full text of the bill before he commits to signing it.
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