XCel Energy Hosts Information Session on St. Croix Solar Plans

XCel Energy officials held an informational meeting on their plans for a massive solar farm in St. Croix County after community opposition.

The utility company is planning a 5,000 acre solar field in the county to replace the energy production that will be lost when their coal-fueled power plant near Stillwater closes in 2028. Those plans are still in the early phases, but have already received strong opposition from many area residents.

In recent weeks, an online petition opposing the project has circulated through the region. That petition now has more than 3,500 signatures. Residents speaking out against the planned project say they’re concerned about the impact the solar field would have on the local environment and wildlife.

Since XCel Energy is still in the early stages of their planning, the company has not submitted an application for the project to the Wisconsin Public Services Commission. Upon doing so, environmental impact studies would be conducted as part of the agency’s review process.

Still, the company hosted an informational session on the early plans for community residents. On Monday, XCel Energy officials assured residents that the project would have little to no impact on local property values and won’t leak any toxic materials. They also assured residents that they would work to minimize any impact on wildlife in the area.

They also reminded residents that the project would create hundreds of jobs in the region and help them achieve their goal of providing 85% carbon-free energy by 2030. Millions of dollars would also be put back into the community through Wisconsin’s Shared Revenues Utility Payment program.

Officials expect the needed approvals for the project won’t be received until 2026.