Akron Solar Approved!

Akron Solar Approved!

by | Mar 6, 2026 | Action Alert, Advocacy, Renewables, Solar

Earlier this week, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved Akron Solar! This 200 Megawatt (MW) solar project will be located in Adams and Wood Counties and is planned for completion in the latter half of 2029. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Thanks to everyone who helped make this project happen, especially those who submitted comments to the PSC and told them why Wisconsin needs more solar power!

Even though we’re only three months into 2026, we are excited about the amount of progress we have already made. That said, there’s plenty more for us to accomplish this year. We hope you’re just as excited as we are to keep the momentum up and help us create a future where everyone benefits from the renewable energy revolution!

Akron Solar’s benefits extend well beyond the clean energy it will produce. If you’re not familiar with the project, below are some additional reasons why we support this project:

  • Economic Growth: According to a report by Strategic Economic Research, Akron Solar will create more than 450 jobs during construction, as well as more than 14 good-paying, long-term positions in Adams and Wood Counties.
  • Community Benefits: Once in service, Akron Solar will contribute more than $1,000,000 in utility-aid payments each year. Over $566,000 of this will go to the counties, while the remaining $433,33 will go to the towns of Rome and Saratoga. During its 25-year life, the project will contribute a total of at least $25million in utility-aid payments.
  • Emissions Reductions: Akron Solar will reduce energy production emissions by 650 million pounds of CO2 in the first year of operations. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the equivalent of taking more than 64,000 vehicles off the road for a full year. These emissions reductions will result in health, economic, and environmental benefits. Wisconsin can expect more than $1.4 million in economic benefits associated with public health improvements in Akron Solar’s first year of operations alone.
Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Fox Solar

Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Fox Solar

by | Mar 4, 2026 | Action Alert, Advocacy, Renewables, Solar

Public comments are open now through March 9 for Fox Solar, a 100 Megawatt (MW) solar project paired with a 50 MW battery energy storage system. If approved, the solar project will be located in Oconto County and is planned for completion in 2028. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!

You can use some of the listed benefits below to help you craft your message.

Fox Solar isn’t just about the clean energy it will produce. The 100 MW facility in Oconto County has many benefits:

Economic Growth: According to witness testimony provided by David Loomis of Strategic Economic Research, Fox Solar will create 300 temporary jobs during construction, as well as more than 20 good-paying, long-term jobs across Wisconsin due to economic stimulus related to the project.

Community Benefits: Once in service, Fox Solar will contribute more than $500,000 in utility-aid payments each year. $283,333 of this will go to Oconto County, while the remaining $216,667 will go to the Town of Morgan. During its 25-year life, the project will contribute more than $12 million in utility-aid payments.

Emissions Reductions: Fox Solar will reduce energy production emissions by 304 million pounds of CO2 in the first year of operations. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the equivalent of taking more than 29,993 vehicles off the road for a full year. Additionally, non-GHG emissions reductions will result in health, economic, and environmental benefits. Wisconsin can expect more than $690,000 in economic benefits associated with public health improvements in Fox Solar’s first year of operations alone.

Submit your comments today and tell the PSC you support the approval of Fox Solar. Feel free to use some of the bullet points above to craft your own unique message.

TAKE ACTION
RENEW Wisconsin Supports Bent Tree North Wind Project

RENEW Wisconsin Supports Bent Tree North Wind Project

by | Mar 2, 2026 | Advocacy, Renewables, Utility Scale, Wind

Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant Energy) plans to expand its Bent Tree Wind Farm with the Bent Tree North Wind Farm project. Though located in Minnesota, the project will provide power for Alliant Energy customers here in Wisconsin. RENEW Wisconsin is advocating for approval of this project both in Minnesota and here in Wisconsin, as Alliant Energy requires approval from both the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

In its first full year of electricity production, Bent Tree North Wind Farm will produce about 550,000 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity. This is enough to power 55,000 Wisconsin households and reduce emissions produced from energy production by more than 865 million pounds of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) each year. This amount of CO2 would be like taking more than 85,500 vehicles off the road.

Along with CO2 emissions, there are a slew of pollutants that this project will keep out of the air we breathe. As a result, Wisconsin can expect over $1.8 million in economic benefits associated with public health improvements in the first year of Bent Tree North Wind’s operations.

Similar to Wisconsin, Minnesota communities that host utility-scale energy projects benefit from these projects. Bent Tree North will add 150 Megawatts (MW) to the already existing Bent Tree Wind Farm, a 201 MW project. In Minnesota, wind projects are subject to a Wind Energy Production Tax. At about $19,000 per turbine, Bent Tree North will add nearly $650,000 in revenue to be split among Steele, Waseca, and Freeborn Counties. Additional financial benefit will go to the landowners who are leasing their land to make this project possible.

The construction of the project is expected to create 100 to 150 full-time jobs until the project is operational. Additionally, construction workers will contribute to local spending for housing, fuel, meals, and supplies, and construction materials such as concrete and gravel are often sourced locally or regionally.

Though we don’t typically extend our advocacy beyond the borders of our state, this is a great opportunity for both Wisconsin and Minnesota, even if we can’t see eye-to-eye on where Paul Bunyan’s Axe really belongs. Rivalries aside, we look forward to seeing this project approved and will provide an update when we know more!

Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Muddy Creek Solar

Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Muddy Creek Solar

by | Feb 17, 2026 | Action Alert, Advocacy, Renewables, Solar

Public comments are open now through February 23 for Muddy Creek Solar, a 322 Megawatt (MW) solar project paired with a 300 MW battery energy storage system. If approved, the solar project will be located in Dunn County and is planned for completion in 2029. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!

You can use some of the listed benefits below to help you craft your message.

(update: public comments for this project have now closed. We will share an update when the PSC announces their decision)

Muddy Creek Solar isn’t just about the clean energy it will produce. The 322 MW facility in Dunn County has many benefits:

  • Economic Growth: According to witness testimony provided by David Loomis of Strategic Economic Research, Muddy Creek Solar will create more than 800 temporary jobs during construction, as well as more than 52 good-paying, long-term jobs across Wisconsin due to economic stimulus related to the project.
  • Community Benefits: Once in service, Muddy Creek Solar will contribute more than $1,605,000 in utility-aid payments each year. $909,500 of this will go to Dunn County, while the remaining $695,000 will go to the Town of Spring Brook. During its 25-year life, the project will contribute a total of over $40 million in utility-aid payments.
  • Emissions Reductions: Muddy Creek Solar will reduce energy production emissions by 954 million pounds of CO2 in the first year of operations. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the equivalent of taking more than 94,000 vehicles off the road for a full year. Additionally, non-GHG emissions reductions will result in health, economic, and environmental benefits. Wisconsin can expect more than $2 million in economic benefits associated with public health improvements in Muddy Creek Solar’s first year of operations alone.

Submit your comments today and tell the PSC you support the approval of Muddy Creek Solar. Feel free to use some of the bullet points above to craft your own unique message.

Emerald Bluffs Solar Project Approved by PSC

Emerald Bluffs Solar Project Approved by PSC

by | Jan 23, 2026 | Advocacy, Renewables, Solar

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved the Emerald Bluffs Solar Project, a 225 Megawatt (MW) solar project in Juneau County. This project is planned for completion in the latter half of 2027. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Thanks to the support from the public, we were able to get this project across the finish line!

Emerald Bluffs is another exciting step in the right direction as we work to expand renewable energy across the state. Wisconsin has now reached a point where we have 2089 MW of solar in operation, nearly 4,000 MW approved and in the development phase, and more than 1,000 MW of solar seeking approval from the PSC. Altogether, we’re hopeful that we’ll have nearly 7,500 MW of solar online across Wisconsin in the near future. Together, we can keep this momentum going.

Emerald Bluffs Solar Project’s Benefits Go Beyond Renewable Energy:

Economic Growth: Emerald Bluffs will create nearly 1,000 jobs during construction, as well as more than 20 good-paying, long-term operations and maintenance positions.

Community Benefits: Once in service, Emerald Bluffs will contribute more than $1,125,000 in utility-aid payments each year. Over $637,000 of this will go to Juneau County, while the remaining $487,500 will go to the towns of Lemonweir and Seven Mile Creek. During its 35-year life, the project will contribute a total of $39.375 million in utility-aid payments.

Emissions Reductions: Emerald Bluffs will reduce energy production emissions by 746 million pounds of CO2 in the first year of operations. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the equivalent of taking more than 73,500 vehicles off the road for a full year. These emissions reductions will result in health, economic, and environmental benefits.

Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Akron Solar

Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Akron Solar

by | Dec 9, 2025 | Action Alert, Advocacy, Renewables, Solar

Public comments are open now through December 12 for Akron Solar, a 200 Megawatt (MW) solar project. If approved, the solar project will be located in Adams and Wood Counties and is planned for completion in the latter half of 2029. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!

You can use some of the listed benefits below to help you craft your message.

Akron Solar isn’t just about the clean energy it will produce. The 200 MW facility in Adams and Wood Counties has many benefits:

  • Economic Growth: According to a report by Strategic Economic Research, Akron Solar will create more than 450 jobs during construction, as well as more than 14 good-paying, long-term positions in Adams and Wood Counties. 
  • Community Benefits: Once in service, Akron Solar will contribute more than $1,000,000 in utility-aid payments each year. Over $566,000 of this will go to the counties, while the remaining $433,33 will go to the towns of Rome and Saratoga. During its 25-year life, the project will contribute a total of at least $25million in utility-aid payments. 
  • Emissions Reductions: Akron Solar will reduce energy production emissions by 650 million pounds of CO2 in the first year of operations. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the equivalent of taking more than 64,000 vehicles off the road for a full year. These emissions reductions will result in health, economic, and environmental benefits. Wisconsin can expect more than $1.4 million in economic benefits associated with public health improvements in Akron Solar’s first year of operations alone.

Submit your comments today and tell the PSC you support the approval of Akron Solar. Feel free to use some of the bullet points above to craft your own unique message.

TAKE ACTION