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Weekly Blast!: Recently I completed a seminar series regarding utility solar and wind projects and their real or potential impacts on local communities. As you probably know by now, local municipalities (towns/villages/cities) have very little control over large-scale utility projects. In the Town of Grant’s experience that meant a utility solar project 100 megawatts and larger. The control and decision regarding both Portage Solar (in construction now) and Vista Sands Solar (construction slated mid 2027) lies solely with the three-member board of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The T. Grant, along with the Town of Plover have more experience in the utility solar arena than many of the seminar participants. Some never heard of it, some were in the middle of it, and others were “knee-deep” in it like us. T. Plover Chairman Jim Garbe and I recently met with newly elected Portage County Executive Eric Olson to apprise him of our Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) with our two solar projects, and the responsibility that Portage County has to help us uphold their contents. There are decades ahead to consider and millions of dollars that the county will receive because of these projects. Chair Garbe already noted potential breaches of the JDA by Portage Solar. These are legal contracts that must be upheld as they represent the only mechanisms we have to keep the projects protective of our respective municipalities.   If you are a landowner that has a lease with a solar company or is considering one there is information below of an upcoming seminar that might be of interest to you. It is hosted by UW–Madison Division of Extension. The work is funded by an award from the US Department of Energy and is part of a broader project to help Wisconsin communities plan for and respond to changes in the energy landscape. For more information about the project see the RESET website (go.wisc.edu/reset). Please note that this is educational content only, not legal advice. Consult legal counsel for regulatory decisions.   Navigating Solar Leases for Wisconsin Landowners (Register)July 10 | 12–1 pm (Zoom) Designed for farmers and rural landowners, this webinar covers: Key solar lease terms and payment structures Evaluating and negotiating offers Tools to compare proposals and protect your interests Have a good weekend, Sharon

Weekly Blast!

It’s been an exciting and hopeful week for the Town of Grant. On Monday Supervisor Doug Steltenpohl convened a meeting for our snowplow operators to discuss what worked and what didn’t during the recent blizzard. During their discussion Supervisor Provost chimed in that state historical records reported that this area had not had a storm of similar intensity since the late 1800s – whoa! Our operators have been charged with considering the current plow routes and to make suggestions for possible modifications in preparation for next winter season.

Later that morning the Board met and approved the planned purchase of a chipper.

This purchase will allow our Public Works crew to chip the brush they clear along our rights-of-ways and distribute the mulch into the adjoining woods. This will be a much cleaner operation for all to see. Once our winter season’s brush has been chipped the crew will get to clearing the brush laying within ditches and swales so as not to impede spring flow from melt.

Last, we will be making small repairs on our JCB, now 32 years old and showing its age. We will use it short-term but intend to sell it and move to a lease to own program for a newer machine over the next three years. Currently we use our backhoe/loader for many functions almost daily. It’s time.

 

Today and tomorrow winter; Sunday through next week, spring?

Hopefully, Sharon