Becker and Clear Lake area residents once again had the opportunity to voice their opinions about a potential Xcel Energy solar field in the area. A public hearing at the Becker High School Performing Arts Center was moderated by Judge Kimberly Middendorf, with representatives of Xcel Energy, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Minnesota Dept. of Commerce present on stage with her. 

After a brief presentation from the Xcel representatives, the floor was opened to those wishing to voice their opinions.

The City of Becker, represented by Interim City Administrator Jeff O’Neill, announced they would no longer be against the solar panels, having worked with Xcel to minimize the impact the solar field would have on industrial park expansion. 

Micheal Corre, an attorney representing Clear Lake Township, expressed the township’s dissatisfaction with not being consulted in the issue of future business park expansion. The township remains a supporter of the solar field, and stated that they preferred the original plan, which included more land. 

Several individuals representing local workers’ unions voiced their approval of the project, as the construction of the project would create many local jobs.

Some residents, including Randy Sealy, Lefty Kleis, and Sharon Klisch, voiced their disapproval of the project, voicing concerns about maintaining a reliable, affordable energy source. 

One individual, Bryan Olson, asked several questions of the Xcel representatives, many of which the representatives were able to answer on the spot. 

He asked whether the solar field would create a heat sink, to which Xcel representative William Risse replied that, while heat sinks occurred in southern states, it was not expected to happen here. 

Olson asked what the Sherco plants currently generate and what the solar field would generate in regards to power, and how the difference would be made up. Risse replied that the current generation of all three plants is 2,400 megawatts of power per year, while the solar field would produce 460 megawatts of power per year. The difference would be made up by natural gas plants at sites outside of Sherburne County.

Olson asked how many jobs the Sherco plants currently support on a daily basis, and how many permanent jobs (individuals coming in on a daily basis) would be created by the solar field. Risse replied that 230 workers are currently employed to run the Sherco plants, while the solar field would employ four or six individuals. 

Olson asked about the plans for a natural gas plant in Becker, but Risse informed the audience that those plans had been scrapped. 

Some individuals were concerned about agricultural land being converted to a solar field, but Risse explained that the owners of the land all agreed to lease their land to Xcel for the project. 

Judge Middendorf stated that all comments submitted during the public hearing will be considered, as well as any written comments submitted by 4:30 May 5, 2022. Comments may be submitted online (https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments), via eDockets (https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling), through email (publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us), or through U. S. Mail Public Advisor – Minnesota.