Last October some Morgan residents became aware that numerous landowners around County CCC and Elm Lawn Rd have contracted with Nextera to lease their land for Nextera to locate their “Birch Solar Project.” Currently, there are over 2 square miles under contract, just 1 mile southwest of Oconto Falls. We are hoping that we can stop this project from happening, however, if that is not an option, our hope is to minimize the ability for them to expand. The land does not have to be continual or touching. Nextera will continue to reach out to more landowners which could easily expand to Oconto Falls, Abrams, and other neighboring towns.

Nextera attempted to sell us on the following benefits that they claim will be seen by our town and county:
Nextera’s stated benefits
found on the Town of Morgan website under "Nextera Energy presentation”) Resident concerns
“Generate significant annual property tax revenues that benefit the state and local governments, as well as area schools.” *This is achieved as private land used for solar farms over 50 megawatts no longer pay property taxes, reducing town & county revenue. However, owners of solar farms greater than 50 megawatts pay annually into a utility aid fund which is shared with the local governments where the solar farm is located. Under the revenue sharing formula currently in place, a qualifying solar farm will contribute $2,333 per megawatt (MW) per year to the county and $1,667 per MW to the township(s) hosting the project, for a total of $4,000 per MW per year (per RENEW WISCONSIN). The MW can be inconsistent and this deal only lasts for the life of the project. The Town of Morgan has a solid budget with other revenue putting us in a position to not have use for this additional income.
“Project capital expenditure during construction and the jobs created generate sales tax revenue and positive economic activity for the community” *Morgan does not have hotels, stores, gas stations, and the industrial materials resulting in these items being brought in from elsewhere or supporting other more populated communities with those resources (ie. Green Bay and Pulaski-Brown County; Shawano County).
“Creates between 200-300 temporary construction jobs during the construction period and 1 to 2 fulltime positions for the 30-year life of the project.” *Oconto County’s Unemployment rate is less than 4% and Morgan’s is even lower. Temporary jobs will not come from our community, but outside or it, additionally, temporary jobs in solar farms will have little marketability for temp employees after construction
“Land can be used as before after decommissioning.” *The land being leased is agricultural for crops and raising cattle. With constant advancements in farming requirements and technology, re-starting the agricultural work after 30 years will be impractical and unaffordable for the average farmer.
*There are many unknowns on the impacts on soil quality, water shed, ground water, and ecosystem that could impact agriculture.

Through the limited research available, we know of these risks and negative impacts:
• Financial
o The Town of Morgan has little to gain financially through the solar farms. There will be money given to the town and county by the solar companies and federal aid for this project. However, our schools are above average, we have an excess of money available and do not have any dire needs that our town budget is not currently capable of providing.
o The individual landowner will have financial gain.
o Neighbors will have decreased marketability and value assessment to their homes and land. In the short-term that may. Increase as more is known about long-term effects of solar farms.
• Environmental
o Nextera has an abundance of lawsuits ranging from energy market violations, labor and wage violations, AND ENVIRONMENT violations
o Toxic materials and chemicals are used to construct and maintain the panels. Leaks, damage from storms, tornados, and more can cause leaks that will harm our environment and ultimately ourselves. These materials also need to be disposed of properly (remember the environment violations).
o Natural habitats will be destroyed and altered in the construction of the solar farms through degradation and leveling.
o Solar requires a significant amount of energy up front to mine, manufacture, and transport.
o Without a required decommissioning and a bond to secure it, huge swaths of land could become riddled with dead solar panels
o If using CSP solar panels, birds and insects that land on the hot panels may be burned or killed; if using PV solar panels, the polarized panels attract aquatic insects and which go to lay eggs on panels that will not survive thinking it is water, decreasing the insect population which animals like sparrows and bats rely on. Additionally, PV polarization may change the migration paths of birds that rely on water as their orientation cues.
• Medical/Psychological
o Production of manmade electromagnetic fields can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms for some individuals.
o The leaks or exposure to toxic chemicals from damaged or leaking panels can affect our ground water, water shed, and soil which we get our water and food from. These have the potential to cause a variety of issues up to organ damage and cancer.

If you disagree with this solar panel project coming to our town, please take action. Here is whom you can contact to have your voice and opinion heard:

a. DNR
i. Ben Callan, Chief-Integrated Services Section 608-405-0016. Benjamin.Callan@wisconsin.gov
ii. Macaulay Hallar, wetland/waterway permits 608-347-0240 macaulay.haller@wisconsin.gov
iii. Adam Ingwell, Environmental Review Coordinator
(608)267-9197 Adam.Ingwell@wisconsin.gov
iv. Stacy Rowe, Endangered/threatened resources review 608-228-9796 stacy.rowe@wisconsin.gov
a. Army Corps of Engineers- Green Bay: (920) 448-2824
i. https://www.usace.army.mil/contact/
b. Wisconsin Public Service Commissioners:
i. Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Commissionaer Ellen Nowak, Commissioner Tyler Huebner
ii. Executive staff: Sally.Mergen@wisconsin.gov
iii. Executive staff Assistant: Pamela.Cook@wisconsin.gov
c. Senator Andre’ Jacque: 609-266-3512 Sen.Jacque@legis.wi.gov
d. Rep. Elijah Behnke (608) 266-2343 Rep.Behnke@legis.wisconsin.gov
e. Rep. Jeff Mursau (608) 266-3780 Rep.Mursau@legis.wisconsin.gov
f. Oconto County Board. Chair, Paul Bednarik: county.board@co.oconto.wi.us 920-829-5557 8304 W. River Rd. Lena, WI 54139
g.
2. Sign the petition opposing this project at:
a. at Jo Jo’s Diner at 5774 Duame Rd. Lena, WI 54139. open 7 days a week from 6 am-2pm.
b. Sign and submit this Change.org page
3. Share this information with your neighbors and other Oconto County residents and landowners.
4. If you see wildlife nesting in the proposed areas, take a picture, describe the location, and submit the information on the website for the DNR to evaluate for long-term effects.

If you would like to connect with others in the Town of Morgan, you can find us online at:
Town of Morgan Chit Chat: https://www.facebook.com/groups/191098998035229
www.nextdoor.com

With our warmest regards,

Stewards of Morgan