Solar Farm Project in Rome

ROME, Wis (WFHR / WIRI) – A solar farm project in Rome is a hot topic in the area. Residents who live in the town year-round are concerned. Many feel a solar farm isn’t right for the recreation area in Adams County.

The whole solar farm project would take up about 2,000 acres, replacing what is currently an active timber site that’s owned by Meteor. Solar panels would dot both sides of Highway 13, though NextEra is careful to point out that those panels would be largely shielded from view by a “vegetative buffer” of shrubs and other habitation.

Carl Hasdal is the Rome Town Board Chair, and says they’ve known for years that NextEra was interested in adding a solar farm,  “The low cost of the land makes it attractive for companies like NextEra. They take advantage of the property regardless of the viability of the less than optimal weather conditions in central Wisconsin. And apparently they have grants available to finance all this,” says Hasdal.

NextEra is one of the world’s largest electric utility holding companies, and has projects in Wisconsin and throughout the US. And they say solar energy doesn’t hurt health, wildlife, or property values, adding that while all forms of energy have an environmental impact, solar energy is among the lowest. The farm would end up close to Lake Camelot. The Public Service Commission has a map of the project here.

Public Input

The Akron Solar Project, in the Town of Rome, would generate 200 megawatts of clean energy.  During the past two years, Hasdal said NextEra only held two public meetings about it. Residents of the Tri-Lakes region could attend but, Hasdal says, but couldn’t really participate. They were allowed to submit questions at the second meeting, but the company didn’t answer all the questions. Gary Radl describes the meeting on December 3, 2024 in detail on a Rome Community Advocates Facebook post.

NextEra says its community engagement includes a third info session, and they say they want to engage the community. A spokesperson points to other efforts to engage the community and more targeted outreach.

But Hasdal says, “Basically, they want to stick it down our throats without our say whatsoever. The state legislature has given the PSC, three members of the PSC, power to do basically whatever they want.” The PSC is the Public Service Commission. The three commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

Impacts on the Community

Rome Town Board Member Tim Reppen said they have environmental concerns . “Well, the concern I think is more like the environmental impact here. We’re worried about the environment with the lake being so close and also the wildlife habitat around it.”

NextEra points to extensive studies measuring impact on wildlife, and that it’ll avoid areas where solar panels might have an impact. They say the rest of the project is environmentally friendly and there’s no runoff that would impact the lake.

NextEra says it’s not aware of any requirements to disclose that there’s a solar farm nearby to potential buyers. But under state statute, realtors are required to disclose factors that are “materially adverse” – including things that would cause a health concern, structural problems, or an adverse impact to property value.

Community members also mention  concern over the loss of recreation area for snowmobiles, ATV trails, and hunters. This area of Adams County has a large deer population. With these assets, Hasdal said he worries about the loss of access to the land under consideration for the next three decades. . Board members have also voiced concerns about the possible loss of future revenue options from recreational tourism and property tax income.

NextEra

NextEra, the Florida-based energy giant, has one active project in Wisconsin – a 100 mw project at Point Beach. Outside of the town of Rome, they have two other solar projects in development – one in Oconto, and one in Waupaca.

Next Steps

Hasdal said the town board has approved engaging an attorney to contest the solar farm project in Rome. He said they don’t believe a solar farm is in the best interest of the community. NextEra will invest some money back into the region. Hasdal said most of it will go to the county. “I understand there will be a million dollars paid back to the county and the town annually. The county’s going to get a majority of that. I think it was 54% and the town’s 46 or 44% somewhere around there.”

The board will be discussing how to move forward with the attorney at the next board meeting. The Town of Rome Community Development Authority meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5th at 3pm.

Update as of 6/12/2025

The Rome Town Board has engaged an attorney and entered a Request to Intervene and Notice of Appearance for the Town of Rome, Adams County, Wisconsin in Docket No: 9832-CD-100. The Public Service Commission has also extended the comment period for the project until June 27, 2025.

Editor’s note: This story has been edited to include information from NextEra.

Links

Town of Rome Solar Information

Akron Solar Project from NextEra

Rome Community Advocates Facebook

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin