Final Decision Issued
On June 12, 2023, the Commission issued a final decision for this project. At the time of final decision, the anticipated start date of construction was the Summer of 2023 with completion by the Summer of 2024.
Quarterly construction updates and post decision correspondence between the Commission and the Applicant can be found in the corresponding docket reports.
Docket Reports: 9815-CE-100
Town of Cylon, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Docket ID: 9815-CE-100
Application for the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity of Northern Prairie Solar, LLC to Construct a Solar Electric Generation Facility in the Town of Cylon, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.
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Application Summary
Overview: Northern Prairie Solar, LLC is proposing a 101.2 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation facility in the Town of Cylon in St. Croix County. The project is planned to be constructed within 970.6 acres and will consist of PV panels, trackers, inverters, transformers, underground electric collection lines, access roads, a meteorological station, security fencing, a project substation, an approximate 120-foot generation tie line (Gen-Tie) connecting the project to the point of interconnection (POI), a utility substation (which is the POI and serves to connect the project to the existing transmission grid) and an operations and maintenance (O&M) facility. The utility substation will connect to the transmission grid via new 161kV In-and-Out Tap Lines. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is not being considered at this time.
Applicant stated need: This project is proposed by an independent power producer Northern Prairie Solar Project, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC. As such, the need for the project is not reviewed by the Commission.
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 if the facility is proposed to be purchased by a Wisconsin utility, or utilities.
Project Location: The proposed project is located in the Town of Cylon in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. The project is generally located east of the City of New Richmond and is bisected by U.S. Highway 63.
Proposed schedule:
- The application was submitted to the Commission in May of 2022.
- If approved, the proposed construction schedule for this project would begin in July of 2023. The project is proposed to be completed and in service by July of 2024.
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 9815-CE-100 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.
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Access Docket 9815-CE-100
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