In a listening to on December 9 that lasted greater than three hours, fourteen witnesses together with Wisconsin farmers, contractors, photo voltaic builders, economists and main employers testified right this moment in robust help of Local Solar legislation (SB-559 and AB 493), highlighting how the laws would decrease power payments for all Wisconsinites, strengthen the grid and return decision-making energy to native communities.
The invoice would create a neighborhood photo voltaic program that permits farmers and builders to construct small-scale initiatives (usually 20 to 30 acres) that neighbors can subscribe to, increasing entry to photo voltaic, whereas avoiding bigger developments that generally face native opposition. The laws ensures that taxpayer {dollars} usually are not wanted for initiatives; they’re funded by personal {dollars}.
Testifiers emphasised that the proposal restores native management by shifting siting authority from the Public Service Fee to municipalities and cities, guaranteeing choices are made closest to the individuals affected. Farmers described how the invoice would create a lifeline for a lot of household farms, permitting them to lease small, unproductive parts of land to diversify earnings with out sacrificing productive acreage. Contractors famous that their extremely expert employees are being compelled to journey out of state for neighborhood photo voltaic jobs they’d a lot moderately do right here at residence.
The listening to showcased the breadth of the coalition behind this measure. Supporters embody main employers, well being methods, builders, farmers and clean-energy advocates — together with Walmart, Advocate Aurora Well being, Arch Electrical, Natural Valley, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Kohler, RENEW Wisconsin, Related Builders and Contractors and farmers throughout the state.
The invoice’s sponsors, Sen. Pat Testin and Rep. Scott Krug, underscored rising frustration amongst constituents who need alternate options to massive photo voltaic farms and skyrocketing utility payments.
Information merchandise from the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry
