Staff photo by Fritz Busch AES Clean Energy Lead Developer Scott Groux talks about the Birch Coulee Solar Project at a public information meeting at the Franklin Community Center Wednesday. Estimated to cost $245 million, the 125 MW project would be located on 768 acres within a 1,042-acre boundary north of Franklin. Construction would begin in 2028. Project operation is forecast to start in 2030.

FRANKLIN — AES Clean Energy, an American power generation company that develops, owns and operates solar, wind and energy storage facilities around the world, proposes a $245 million north of Franklin.

A small number of people commented on the 125-megawatt, 768-acre project at a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission meeting at the Franklin Community Center Wednesday. The facility would connect to the electrical grid at the Franklin Xcel Energy substation.

Before the project can be built, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission must issue a site permit. Permit considerations include potential human and environmental impacts, if there are suitable ways to minimize, mitigate or avoid identified impacts and if the project is efficient, cost-effective, secure and conserves resources.

An environmental assessment is forecast to be issued in February 2025. Following a March 2025 public hearing, an administrative law judge will file a report in May 2025. The Mn PUC will consider a site permit in June 2025.

Estimated project revenue is $350,000 a year to Renville County and $175,000 a year for townships, the City of Franklin and Cedar Mountain School District. Project construction could begin in 2028. Start of operation is estimated in 2030.

Minnesota Commerce Department Environmental Review Manager Lauren Agnew said public input is very important to collect vital project information for an environmental assessment.

A Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) would provide technical advice, neutral, third-party analysis of potential human and environmental impacts and lead to informed decision-making by the Commission.

Chris Wood, who said he lives across the road from the project site asked if there is a long-term drainage plan for the project.

Renville County Commissioners reportedly reviewed the project, voiced support to provide clearance for project site tile lines and discussed requiring a bond to cover 25% of decommissioning costs. Developers estimated those costs at $13 million after the projects forecast 30-year and a $10 million salvage value, for a $3 million decommission cost.

“What about property values,” said Wood. “My neighbor has had his property for sale for two months and has not had any offers yet.”

Wood asked if there is a housing plan for an estimated 300 workers building the facility and if more public services would be needed “to keep things safe.”

He also asked what would happen if AES goes out of business.

AES Project Developer Scott Groux said the corporation is working on leases and property agreements with nine property owners near Franklin.

Groux said the facility will employ three full-time solar technicians after the plant is operating. He did not disclose the value of property agreements but said AES is an public corporation.

Renville County Environmental Services Director Scott Refsland said the County would like a $13.5 million bond from AES for the County to recycle facility solar panels within the first year of operation.

Public comments on the project must be received by the Minnesota Commerce Department by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25. Comment forms can be found at mn.gov/commerce, mailed to the Minnesota Commerce Department, 85 7th Place East, Suite 280. St. Paul, Mn. 55101 or emailed to Agnew at lauren.agnen@state.mn.us.

For more information, visit mn.gov/commerce, Birch Coulee Solar Project, Docket No. IP7119/GS-23-477.