WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — A solar car charging station at the Wood County Courthouse and a project to bring solar power to the Nepco Lake area of central Wisconsin could soon become a reality.
That’s according to Wood County Board chairman Doug Machon, who says the solar projects are vying for some of the $50,000 allocated in last year’s budget for renewable and sustainable energy initiatives, and that the two projects were brought forward to the Wood County Executive Committee earlier this month for their approval.
Machon explained that,”There were two separate funds established during last year’s budget process, and they were for renewable and sustainables, and lean efficiency projects. And there was $25,000 appropriated in each one of those funds.”
The projects were then brought forward by the ‘Wood County Renewable & Sustainable Committee’ which was recently formed as part of the county’s effort to seek ‘Sol Smart’ certification.
“The idea was that department heads would come forward with ideas, and then the Executive Committee would rule on which ones of those were the best ideas, and then they would grant money from those two different pots,” Machon explained.
The courthouse solar car-charging station was unanimously moved forward for a closer look at the project’s feasibility; while the Nepco Lake project – which involves the installation of a ‘solar array’ in a popular local park – was referred to the county’s Highway Infrastructure & Recreation Committee for their input.
If fully approved and completed, proponents believe the pair of projects could establish Wood County as a statewide leader in solar initiatives.
