Public Service Commission grants CPCN for Akron Solar with tree-buffer and recreational-trail conditions

On March 5, 2026, the Public Service Commission approved a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for Akron Solar LLC to construct a utility-scale solar electric generation facility, associated generation tie line, and a 200 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system in Adams and Wood counties. Commissioner Nieto moved approval consistent with the day's discussion and Chairperson Strand seconded; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Chairperson Strand described project components: up to 200 megawatts of generation at the point of interconnection, a 200 MWh battery energy storage system, approximately 1,691 acres proposed for siting within a 2,409-acre study area, and a roughly 1.8-mile 138 kV generation tie line to an ATC switchyard. Strand emphasized that the site is privately owned and that landowner agreements are voluntary: "The entire proposed facility would be located on private land under a lease option voluntarily entered into," he said, noting Meteor Timber holds much of the primary-array land.

Commissioners praised early applicant commitments that narrowed contested issues: fence bottoms raised six inches to facilitate ground-animal passage, a tree-clearing schedule that avoids April 1October 31 to protect migratory birds and bats, stormwater and erosion BMPs, and decommissioning plans. The commission found the project to be a Type 2 action under Wisconsin environmental review statutes and concluded a full environmental impact statement was unnecessary.

Key project conditions adopted include standard CPCN order conditions (with a clarification to allow an installed solar capacity up to 225 MW AC in the order language), and project-specific conditions to preserve recreational and visual resources. Commissioners Hawkins and Nieto proposed order language that the applicant "shall leave a 30 to 50 foot buffer of existing trees and shrubs as committed to in Appendix J unless the applicant agrees to modifications resulting from conversations with the Town of Rome, the Wisconsin Trap Shooters Association, and local recreational clubs." Separate language requires that the applicant make the project perimeter available for recreational trails as proposed unless modifications are agreed; any such modifications must be reported to the commission within 30 days.

Commissioners discussed water-resource and safety concerns. Nieto noted attention to groundwater and surface-water protection and the record's DNR involvement; Hawkins cited the evolution of NFPA 855 battery safety codes and the applicant's mitigation measures. The commission also noted Karner blue butterfly habitat potential in the region and that seed mixes proposed for the site likely include the host plant, which could benefit the species.

The commission concluded that, with the stated conditions and commitments, the project would not cause undue adverse impacts on environmental values and that statutory criteria in Wis. Stat. were satisfied. The CPCN was approved with the discussed order conditions; commissioners directed staff to include the specific buffer and trail reporting language in the final order.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the final order with specified conditions (buffer, trail access/reporting, DPP/interconnection reporting and standard CPCN conditions). The transcript records the approval by unanimous voice vote; there is no roll-call recorded.