Badger Hollow Wind Farm LLC Seeks Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for 118 MW Wind Electric Generation Facility

Strategic Insights -

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is considering the application of Badger Hollow Wind Farm LLC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct a 118 MW wind electric generation facility in the towns of Clifton, Eden, Linden, Mifflin, and Wingville in Grant and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin. The project aims to advance Wisconsin's renewable energy policy and provide significant environmental and economic benefits to the local community.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center meets the criteria under the CPCN statute (Wis. Stat. § 196.491(3)), satisfies the Energy Priorities Law, and fulfills Wisconsin's energy policy goal of building new generation based on renewable resources.
  • The project will produce electricity with zero air emissions during operation, reducing the State's reliance on fossil-fuel and providing significant net benefits to the environment, local farmers, and communities.
  • The Project Area consists of approximately 15,704 acres, and the proposed sites of all Turbine Locations are shown in Ex.-BHW-Application-Appendix A: Figures 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.
  • Badger Hollow Wind carefully designed the Project layout to balance the interests of the local residents, participating landowners, and the environment, minimizing grading and clearing of wooded areas.
  • The Commission is required to consider alternative locations when determining whether a proposed generating plant is in the public interest, and the Project satisfies this requirement with at least 25% more turbine locations than proposed.
  • The Project was proposed in Grant and Iowa Counties based on factors such as availability of wind resources, proximity to transmission infrastructure, topography, land cover, property rights, and community acceptance.
  • Badger Hollow Wind will provide economic and financial benefits to participating farmers and their communities, benefiting Grant and Iowa counties, and the state.

Statistics:

  • The Project will have wind generation capacity of up to 118 MW.
  • The Project Area consists of approximately 15,704 acres.
  • The proposed sites of all Turbine Locations are shown in Ex.-BHW-Application-Appendix A: Figures 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.
  • Approximately 570 acres of temporary ground disturbance impacts are expected during construction of the Project.
  • Approximately 28 acres will be long-term for the operational life of the Project.
  • The Project will provide zero air emissions during operation, reducing the State's reliance on fossil-fuel.

Sources:

  • Wisconsin Statutes § 196.491(3)
  • Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity of Badger Hollow Wind Farm LLC to Construct Docket No. 9827-CE-100
  • Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Docket No. 9827-CE-100