Alliant Energy told a Marathon County advisory committee it submitted a 180‑day notice to the Public Service Commission and is finalizing responses to 100+ questions; committee members and dozens of residents pressed for binding protections on roads, groundwater, wildlife and property values and asked county leaders to consider stronger safeguards before any Joint Development Agreement.

Marathon County passed amendments to its zoning code to enable earlier county review of large energy generating projects by triggering review at submission of engineering plans and requiring transmission of those materials to all municipalities in the county.

The Marathon County Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously Jan. 8 to recommend forwarding a resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby state lawmakers and the governor to support legislation that would give local governments more decision-making power over large renewable energy projects.

Marathon County supervisors debated fire‑safety, waterways and first‑responder equipment before approving amendments to Chapter 17 that increase the residential setback for battery energy storage systems from 300 to 500 feet and extend that distance to other structures.

After broad debate over a proposed county engagement resolution on Alliant Energy's Hub City Wind project (Resolution 55-26), the Marathon County Board voted to refer the matter back to the executive committee for a recommendation at the September meeting; supervisors pressed for legal clarity on moratoria and PSC authority.

A local committee has launched outreach for the Hub City Wind Farm project, with a county webpage, a public survey from June 1–19, and facilitated and committee meetings planned through July leading to an executive report on July 5.

Alliant Energy told Marathon County’s advisory committee it is targeting about 150 MW for the Hub City Wind Farm, with roughly 28–38 turbines, a multi‑year permitting and construction timeline and financial and decommissioning protections to be filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

After extended debate and a failed motion to refer back to committee, the board adopted a substitute resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby for local control on energy siting; the substitute removed specific bill references and broadened county-focused language.