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Application Summary
Overview
Whitewater Solar, LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), is seeking approval to construct a solar energy generating facility with a generating capacity of 180 MWac (megawatt alternating current) in the City of Whitewater and Township of Cold Spring, Jefferson County, and the Townships of Whitewater and LaGrange, Walworth County, Wisconsin. The project study area that was evaluated is approximately 2,567 acres, of which, the proposed project arrays make up 988 acres, and the alternative project arrays make up 231 acres. The major components of the proposed project include PV panels, inverters, approximately 69.8 miles of underground 34.5 kilovolt (kV) collector circuits, a 138kV project substation, an approximately 0.14-mile 138 kV gen-tie transmission line to connect to the project substation, access roads, and an operation and maintenance building. The proposed project includes 23 fenced array areas, with 17 proposed array area sites and six alternative array area sites. Array areas can be identified by their fence boundary identification number, as seen in the attached map.
Applicant Stated Need
This project is proposed by an independent power producer. Therefore, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission.
Estimated Cost
This project is proposed by an independent power producer. Therefore, the Commission does not review the project cost. The cost to Wisconsin utilities, and ratepayers, would be reviewed if the facility or power from the facility is purchased by Wisconsin utilities.
Project Location
The applicant proposes to construct this project in the City of Whitewater and Township of Cold Spring, Jefferson County, and the Townships of Whitewater and LaGrange, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
Proposed Schedule
- The applicant submitted the application to the Commission in October 2024.
- If approved, the applicant anticipates construction for this project to begin in April 2026 with an estimated completion date of February 2028.
Statutory Review
The solar electric generation facility is a
Type III action under
Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(3). Type III actions normally do not require preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10(3). However, an evaluation of a specific Type III proposal may indicate that the preparation of an EA is warranted for that proposal. The Commission will prepare an EA for this project that will evaluate the location of the project and its potential environmental, community, and private property impacts. There will be a preliminary determination when the EA is complete that will determine whether the preparation of an EIS is necessary. Comments on this preliminary determination will be accepted and considered before a final determination is made. At the time of the preliminary determination, the Commission shall make copies ofthe EA available to those persons that request it.
Key Application Documents
Access Docket 9828-CE-100 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.
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Staff Involved tab for contact details for PSC staff assigned to the docket, including the case coordinator and the environmental review coordinator.
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Access Docket 9828-CE-100
Opportunities for Public Participation
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