Overview
- The Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism held a public hearing on a proposal requiring each host municipality to approve wind or solar projects before the Public Service Commission can act.
- Under the bill, the state threshold would shift from PSC-only review at 100 megawatts to local sign-offs for projects starting at 15 megawatts.
- Bill authors Rep. Travis Tranel and Sen. Howard Marklein argue the change responds to constituent concerns about farmland and community impacts.
- Environmental groups, major utilities, trade unions and the Conservative Energy Network argue the measure would inject uncertainty, slow clean-energy buildout and risk higher costs and reliability issues.
- The Wisconsin Utilities Association cited Ohio as a cautionary example and noted the bill excludes natural gas and coal plants, which Marklein said reflects the focus of constituent complaints; the measure remains in committee without a vote.