Kasson City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Subdivision for Byron Solar Project Transmission Line
Impact of Byron Solar Project on Local Growth and Energy Market Trends
Votes (1)
Subdivision of parcel and urban expansion zone for Byron solar project
Moved by Unknown [00:25:22] · Seconded by Unknown [00:25:40]
Carl Pierce from EDF Power Solutions presented on the need to subdivide a parcel for a 345 KV transmission line connecting the Byron Solar Project to the Byron substation. The request stems from a specific landowner's preference to sell the land for the right-of-way instead of granting an easement. Due to the parcel's location within Cassan's urban expansion zone and non-compliance with Dodge County's lot width standards, city approval for subdivision is crucial. The project, approved at the state level in May 2023, is projected to begin construction late 2026/early 2027 and operate for 35 years. Discussion extended to the broader impact of the solar project on Cassan's growth, energy market dynamics, capacity credits (MISO), and the role of battery storage in supporting renewable energy. City staff indicated no reason to oppose the request, which is seen as a recommendation to the city council.
Notable Quotes (3)
This particular landowner said, um, I'd rather not have an easement, but if you want to buy the right away from me, then then I'll sell it to you. So, um, in other words, in order for the, uh, project to be able to own that, we'd have to subdivide it first and create a new parcel and then buy it from them and own the parcel, uh, on that small sliver.
One thing to keep in mind is obviously we'll consider this issue, but it is interesting. You know, you know, we've talked about a little bit before the overall impact of this project on Kassan's growth in the southeast is significant. So, you know, it'll change our growth pattern significantly. We won't see growth in the southeast because solar field pretty much blocking us to the southeast.
I mean, you know, you might, you know, get solar for 25 megawatt, you know, $25 a megawatt. Previously, I don't know if they're looking at 55 or 65 or or whatever it is because it doesn't have capacity. That's the problem. It's a capacity. And so I mean you have this hard power. So data centers just growth overall. Think of Rochester. So Rochester is separating from Sima. So they have to identify all the power sources. They don't have capacity. So they have to buy batteries but they also have to get the power somehow.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
Included a map of the Byron Solar Project.
Submitted in 2021 and approved in May 2023 for the Byron Solar Project.
Agreement with Simpa for power interconnection.