Marshfield Utilities Commission advances four proposed solar projects, reviews $2M PILOT and debates dark-fiber policy

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!

MARSHFIELD, Wis. — The Marshfield Utilities Commission voted to advance four proposed “behind-the-meter” solar projects on utility-owned land, while also reviewing its nearly $2 million payment in lieu of taxes and continuing a wide-ranging discussion over how to manage and price its dark-fiber network.
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The commission approved moving forward with due diligence and permitting for all four proposed solar sites. Under the plan discussed, the projects would be owned by One Energy Renewables, and staff said future job orders would come to the commission as work progresses to interconnection costs, upgrades and other distribution-system items.

Commissioners also raised questions about contract protections if a developer is unable to complete a project, including what options the utility would have in the event of bankruptcy.

In another agenda item, staff presented an annual review of the utility’s PILOT payment, reporting it increased to just under $2 million, about a $20,000 increase from the prior year. Staff said the payment goes through the city’s general fund and noted the utility’s PILOT amount exceeds the next closest tax-paying entity listed for comparison by roughly $800,000.

During a quarterly strategic plan update, staff reported electronic bill payments were “just over 72%,” and described work tied to employee wellness initiatives, monitoring potential uses of artificial intelligence, and continued development of GIS mapping capabilities.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the commission’s draft dark-fiber policy and related financial questions. Commissioners discussed how new customers should pay capital investment costs, what “leasing” means in the context of fiber agreements, and whether rates should be market-based or tied to an internal rate-of-return approach.

In that discussion, staff described the market as small and estimated the potential customer base as less than 50. Commissioners also debated financial targets for reserves in relation to plant value and replacement costs, with discussion referencing an estimated replacement figure of about $2.5 million.

The commission later approved routine items including job orders, bills and payroll, meeting minutes and financial reports, and voted to enter closed session to discuss a land lease with One Energy Renewables, power purchase agreements with Great Lakes Utilities and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, and a general manager review.

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