Final Decision Issued on Reopening
In March of 2021 the Commission issued a final decision for this project. At the time of final decision the anticipated start date of construction was
May 2021 with completion by September 2022.
In August of 2023, the Commission issued a Final Decision on Reopening, thereby amending the original Order to include authorization to install the requested additional battery storage capacity.
Quarterly construction updates and post decision correspondence between the Commission and the Applicant can be found in the corresponding docket reports.
Town of Saratoga in Wood County, Wisconsin
Docket ID: 9803-CE-100 and 9803-CE-101
Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity of Wood County Solar Project, LLC to Construct a Solar Electric Generation Facility in the Town of Saratoga, Wood County, Wisconsin.
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Application Summary
Overview: Wood County Solar Project, LLC (WCSP) is proposing a PV solar electric generating facility capable of generating approximately 150 MW of AC power. The project would require approximately 1,882 acres of upland forested land in the Town of Saratoga in Wood County, Wisconsin. Major components of the project include a substation, laydown yard, transformer, junction boxes, the collection system, and an operations and management (O&M) building. An approximately 4-mile 138- kV transmission line would also be required to connect the solar facility to the existing electric transmission grid. The solar arrays and substation would be fenced, and the applicant has provided some alternative solar array sites for evaluation.
Applicant stated need: This project is proposed by an independent power producer, Wood County Solar Project, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Savion, LLC. As such, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission. WCSP states that the project would ultimately be owned by a Wisconsin utility.
Estimated cost: This project is proposed by an independent power producer, and the Commission does not review the project cost or need. The cost to Wisconsin utilities, and ratepayers, would be reviewed when the power from the facility is purchased by Wisconsin utilities.
Project Location: The Town of Saratoga in Wood County, Wisconsin (see map).
Proposed schedule: The application was submitted to the Commission on March 16, 2020. If approved, the proposed construction schedule for this project is to begin in July, 2021. The project is proposed to be completed and in service by November, 2022.
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 poposal. 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 of the EA available to those persons that request it.
Key Application Documents
Access Docket 9803-CE-100 and Docket 9803-CE-101 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.
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