Wisconsin bill would regulate aspects of energy projects, including renewables

A bill in the Wisconsin State Assembly would add regulations to the development of energy projects in the state, including renewable energy installations. Dubbed the 2025 Wisconsin Energy Reform Act, the bill would disincentivize renewable energy companies from using prime farmland in the state and outlines specific rights for landowners, among other provisions. Wisconsin Rep. Travis Tranel is a cosponsor of the bill. Tranel said the bill incentivizes the companies to use less agriculturally productive lands. Critics said some provisions in the bill are similar to previously rejected legislation that would have given utilities already doing business in Wisconsin the right of first refusal to build, own and maintain a new transmission line that connects to one of their existing ones. Tranel said the new bill provides more transparency than previous iterations of right-of-first-refusal legislation, which he had opposed. He said some concessions were necessary to get the regulations his constituents wanted.