Stearns County Approves 15 MW Solar Project, Boosting Local Green Energy Production

(KNSI) — Stearns County will add 15 megawatts of green energy to the region after the board of commissioners approved three solar gardens in Brockway Township.

The board gave the project the thumbs up in a 3 to 1 vote on Tuesday. Commissioner Jeff Bertram voted against the gardens. Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier was attending virtually and couldn’t vote because he submitted a late notice about not being able to attend in person. The item was in the consent agenda but was pulled for further discussion because the issue had a tie vote at last week’s planning commission meeting.

One garden will be placed on the Traut Family farm and the two others will be on land owned by the Meadowbrook Dairy Farm. The solar arrays would have a 35-year lock on the land. There are 21 homes within a half mile of the project, and none spoke in opposition at the meeting.

According to the developer, the gardens will generate $838,000 in additional revenue for the area. The production tax will be split, with 80% going to the county and 20% going to the township. The power generated would be used by thousands of customers in the Sartell and St. Cloud areas.

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