Multimedia Journalist
Elliot Adams joined the WQOW team in March of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. He is the former editor-in-chief of The Spectator, UW-Eau Claire’s student-run newspaper.
In the coming years, the small town of Spring Brook in Dunn County could become one of the largest solar energy producers in Wisconsin, but it has drawn criticism from area residents.
DUNN COUNTY (WQOW) – In the coming years, the small town of Spring Brook in Dunn County could become one of the largest solar energy producers in Wisconsin, but it has drawn criticism from area residents.
There’s two solar projects that could end up producing over 600 megawatts of energy. The first is the Elk Creek Solar Project, which was initially approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in 2023. After some delay, the project was acquired by Xcel Energy and aims to bring a 300 megawatt solar array to Spring Brook. Now, the 322 megawatt Muddy Creek Solar Project has also been proposed in the area.
In energy terms, a megawatt is a measure of production, with one megawatt equaling one million watts.
For those in the community who are opposed, one of the chief complaints is the dramatic transformation of what’s historically been farmland into a solar array and its proximity to bodies of water like Old Elk Lake.
“We’re losing thousands of acres of premium farmland, that’s long term, many many decades before it could possibly be recovered back to farmland, if ever,” John Cartmill, a resident who’s entire property would be surrounded by solar panels said.
With the Elk Creek Solar Project approved and being taken on by Xcel Energy, construction is slated to start this year.
The Muddy Creek Project is planned to start in 2027, but it must be approved by the Public Service Commission first. The commission is still accepting online written public comment on the Muddy Creek Project until Monday, February 23.
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Multimedia Journalist
Elliot Adams joined the WQOW team in March of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. He is the former editor-in-chief of The Spectator, UW-Eau Claire’s student-run newspaper.
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