ROME, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A proposed project in the Town of Rome would settle over 2,000 acres of land, with the goal of meeting a claimed, greater demand for energy.
In April of this year, NextEra Energy Resources filed an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for the proposed Akron Solar Project. It would sit on roughly 2,400 acres of land, and be solely funded by NextEra. Business owners and locals of the affected areas are still strongly opposed.
“We get a ton of traffic every weekend and even during the week, and if this project was to go into effect, that traffic would have no reason to come down Alpine,” said Dale Ripp, Owner of Tri Lakes Power Sports and Golf Carts. Ripp is referring to the traffic of cars, ATVs, and UTVs that commute down Alpine Drive, which borders along the proposed array area.
More than a dozen community members spoke up during a July 24 town meeting, which saw the creation of an ad hoc committee that will organize opposition.
The committee would be tasked with research, writing letters, organizing and meeting with officials to oppose the solar farm development.
The Public Service Commission will make the final decision on the project, which takes 12-18 months. More information will be provided once it becomes available.
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