Marathon County Resources

Marathon County Energy Development: Public Input, Transparency, and Next Steps

Introduction

To the Marathon County Board and Taskforce Members,

We appreciate the time and effort that has gone into forming the Alternative Energy Project Local Impact Advisory Committee and the discussions surrounding the proposed Hub City Wind project and the potential use of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA).

Residents value the opportunity to engage in these discussions. However, meaningful public participation requires transparency, balance, and time to fully understand the implications of decisions being considered.

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1. Public Participation Must Be Real and Accessible

We recognize and appreciate the committee’s stated intent to include public participation in the coming weeks. Public engagement is essential when decisions of this magnitude are being considered.

However, participation only matters if residents are clearly informed about opportunities to engage.

We ask the committee:

* How will upcoming meetings, listening sessions, and input opportunities be communicated to all residents—especially those in directly impacted rural areas?

* What steps will be taken to ensure information reaches residents who do not regularly monitor county websites or meeting notices?

Without proactive communication, public participation risks becoming limited rather than inclusive.

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2. Balanced Information Must Be Part of the Process

We encourage the committee to ensure that all information presented is evaluated fairly and transparently.

There appears to be a tendency to treat information from certain institutions or industry-aligned organizations as inherently more credible. However, all information—regardless of source—should be evaluated based on its substance, data, and relevance.

We respectfully request that the committee:

* Include a broad range of expert perspectives

* Ensure differing viewpoints are heard and documented

* Avoid narrowing the discussion to only select categories of stakeholders

Farmland First, as a local community organization with extensive experience on this issue, continues to offer insight and resources for consideration.

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3. Representation and Committee Structure

We also believe the current committee structure may not fully reflect all impacted communities.

Supervisors and residents from areas most directly affected by proposed industrial wind development should have meaningful representation in these discussions.

Major land-use decisions require broad participation from those who will experience the direct impacts.

We respectfully ask that the committee structure be reviewed to ensure all impacted voices are included.

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4. A Countywide Approach Is Needed — Not Project-by-Project Agreements

A key concern is the direction of the committee’s current focus.

If Marathon County intends to establish standards, protections, or expectations related to energy development, those standards should apply consistently across all projects—not be negotiated individually for each proposal.

Project-by-project agreements create inconsistency and uncertainty.

This is one of the primary concerns with the concept of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). A JDA focuses on a single project rather than establishing long-term, countywide standards.

We respectfully ask:

* Does Marathon County intend to repeat this process for every future project?

* Or will the County establish clear, consistent standards that apply equally to all developers?

A countywide approach provides clarity, fairness, and long-term stability.

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5. Clarification Needed: JDA vs. CBA

We request clarification regarding the distinction between a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) and a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

These terms have been referenced in discussions, but they are not interchangeable.

Before moving forward, the public deserves clarity on:

* How the County defines each agreement

* What legal and practical differences exist between them

* Which framework is actually being considered

Clear terminology is essential when decisions of this magnitude are being made.

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6. The Need for a Moratorium

Finally, we strongly encourage the County Board to consider adopting a temporary moratorium on industrial wind development.

A moratorium is not a ban.

It is a pause.

A pause allows Marathon County to:

* Evaluate health and safety considerations

* Review noise and shadow flicker impacts

* Study groundwater and environmental effects

* Assess agricultural, wildlife, and land-use impacts

* Review road infrastructure and emergency response capacity

* Examine decommissioning requirements and long-term protections

Residents are not asking for rushed decisions. They are asking for informed ones.

A moratorium would provide the time needed to ensure that decisions are made with full understanding of the potential impacts.

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7. Timing Matters

It is also important to recognize the broader timeline of this process.

Once a developer submits an application to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, local options for review and action may become more limited.

We understand that Alliant Energy has indicated plans to submit applications in the coming months.

This makes it even more important for Marathon County to take time now to evaluate its options carefully before commitments or agreements are considered.

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Closing

We appreciate the committee’s continued work and the opportunity for public engagement.

However, residents are asking for two clear actions:

No Joint Development Agreement (JDA).

Yes to a temporary moratorium.

These steps would ensure Marathon County has the time and information needed to make thoughtful, transparent, and responsible decisions for the future of our communities.