Rome residents plan committee to oppose 2,000-acre solar farm

ROME – Town of Rome officials announced plans during a July 24 town meeting to create an ad hoc committee to organize opposition to a proposed solar energy project that would span more than 2,000 acres, much of it bordering on residential areas.
Dozens of residents packed into the Town Hall, where the Board gave them free reign to speak about the proposed NextEra Energy Resources project, citing potential impacts on property values, wildlife habitat and the area’s rural character.
NextEra filed a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission on April 9. The Akron Solar project would combine up to 200 megawatts of solar energy with 200 megawatts of battery energy storage on approximately 2,409 acres in Adams and Wood counties.
Town Board Chairman Carl Hasdal called for volunteers to join the ad hoc committee, which will focus solely on opposing the solar farm. The proposed committee’s tasks would include research, letter-writing, organizing and meeting with officials.
According to Renew Wisconsin, there are more than 20 solar farms currently operating in Wisconsin, and most have between 1 and 5 megawatts of solar capacity. A one megawatt solar farm produces enough electricity annually to offset the needs of about 190 average Wisconsin homes, Renew Wisconsin claims on its website.

But the more than a dozen Rome residents who spoke at Thursday’s meeting opposed the project. When asked if any municipalities have been successful in stopping a solar project, they were told no.
“Why can’t we be the first to stop it?” said a board member, referring to similar solar projects being proposed across Wisconsin.
Multiple residents reported that NextEra representatives had visited their homes offering $1,000 payments for signatures supporting the project. Several questioned whether the company had obtained proper solicitation permits from the town.
“They were offering $1,000 a month for several years, but that packet of paperwork … was a lot of legal mumbo jumbo,” said Penny Egland, who lives on Akron Drive.
Residents expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the area’s tourism-dependent economy and recreational activities. The project would eliminate ATV and snowmobile trails and remove hunting opportunities.
Dale Ripp, who owns a power sports business on Alpine Drive, said the project would devastate his business by closing trails that bring 50 to 100 ATVs and UTVs past his shop each weekend.
“If this goes through, all that traffic will be gone,” Ripp said.
State Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, has authored legislation requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission (PSC) approval. The PSC reviews all projects over 100 megawatts in size and many projects submitted by public utilities. Three PSC commissioners will make the final decision on the project, and process typically takes 12 to 18 months.
NextEra estimates the project would create up to 450 construction jobs and, over the lifespan of the solar farm, generate approximately $1 million in tax revenue.
While those numbers might sound good, several residents said they moved to the area for its natural beauty and rural character.
“I moved up here 15 years ago out of Milwaukee to live in a beautiful country,” said Larry Lipchow, who lives on 14th Avenue. “Money isn’t everything.”