The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Over the past few years, the Legislature has considered allowing community solar projects—privately owned projects typically on 30 acres or less that allow local residents and businesses to subscribe and save on their electric bills. We hope the Legislature can get community solar over the finish line this year to provide opportunities for communities like ours.
As the Village of Rudolph, we chose to lease community-owned land to a future community solar project to generate new revenue for our community while helping residents lower their utility bills. With nearly 1,000 residents—about one-third of whom are over the age of 65 and living on fixed incomes—every opportunity to cut costs makes a real difference.
When we hosted Senator Cory Tomczyk and Representative John Spiros at our project site last year, their enthusiastic feedback confirmed that this initiative could be a valuable step toward a brighter future. Our carefully selected site is out of sight from the main road and within our industrial park, preserving our community’s charm.
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Supporting the proposed Wisconsin Community Solar Policy would bring energy independence, economic stability, meaningful savings, and smart land use to communities like ours across the state. We urge lawmakers in Madison to make this vision a reality.
– Kevin Whipple is the president of the Village of Rudolph. He has been a resident of Rudolph for over 20 years.
