A draft Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between St. Croix County and Xcel Energy on the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project was shared with the county's Community Development Committee at its July 22 meeting. The project remains on track, and the company expects to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for up to 300 megawatts (MW) of solar with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) by the end of 2025.
The JDA process began earlier this year when St. Croix County officials approached Xcel Energy to explore a cooperative path prior to the company filing the CPCN application with state regulators. The draft JDA is a collaborative effort and clarifies that the project remains under the jurisdiction of the PSCW, ensuring strong regulatory and environmental oversight, while local governments can help shape how the project interacts with designated roads, drainage systems and emergency services. Under Wisconsin law, all solar energy projects over 100 MW are reviewed at the state level and must receive a CPCN from the PSCW before proceeding.
If approved by the PSCW, the project will have a significant beneficial financial impact, including providing more than $1 million in annual payments to St. Croix County and the towns where the solar is located. It will also create hundreds of well-paying union jobs during construction.
Compared to St. Croix County's Solar Siting Standards, the draft JDA delivers significantly stronger community benefits:
· Setbacks: The JDA agrees to have solar panel setbacks from residential structures at 150 feet (vs. no standard in County code) and 100 feet from property lines (vs. 5 feet in County code).
· Height: Solar panel height is not to exceed 15 feet under the JDA, compared to 35 feet under County standards.
· Emergency Preparedness: The JDA mandates pre- and post-construction emergency response coordination with local fire departments and first responders, including site-specific action plans.
· Community Investment: The agreement includes an additional $50,000 annual grant for local school districts and the technical college in the area where the solar is located totaling $1.75 million over 35 years.
· Wildlife: The JDA requires that all wildlife movement in the project area will be considered during the design phase and in consultation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
In early June, the company announced that it had completed successful discussions with private landowners who agreed to lease 100% of the land needed for the solar panels.
"Locating solar within close proximity of the retiring Allen S. King Power Plant is the least cost and most viable option to reutilize important grid interconnections," said Karl Hoesly, president of Xcel Energy-Wisconsin & Michigan. "We have been pleased with the support for the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project and are proud to work with St. Croix County in a way that addresses local concerns and maximizes community benefits."
As part of an approved agreement, Xcel Energy would establish the Ten Mile Creek Solar Community Fund in the amount of $50,000 per year for the school districts and technical college in the area where the solar array is located.
"The Ten Mile Creek Solar Community Fund would support ongoing programs and courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), or other needs as identified by the school districts and technical college in the solar area," said Brian Elwood, regional vice president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin & Michigan. "This project can provide a real-life opportunity for secondary and post-secondary students, faculty and staff to learn about a renewable energy resource."
Next Steps
The JDA will be presented to the full St. Croix County Board of Supervisors in the coming weeks. For more information about the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, please visit www.xcelenergy.com/tenmile.
