WHEATLAND, Wis. (RFD NEWS) — A proposed battery storage facility in rural Wisconsin is sparking a debate over energy development, farmland preservation, and local control.
Robin Energy Storage is proposing a 200-megawatt battery energy storage system on approximately 52 acres of farmland in the Town of Wheatland in Kenosha County.
Battery energy storage facilities do not generate electricity. Instead, they store power and release it back to the electric grid when demand is high. These projects are often paired with renewable energy sources, such as solar, allowing excess electricity produced during peak generation periods to be stored for later use.
But some residents say the location of these projects matters, especially when agricultural land is involved.
Kathy Denko, a Wheatland resident, is among those raising concerns about the proposed facility. She says community members worked to establish a one-year local moratorium on battery storage projects to allow time for additional study, discussion, and potential regulations.
“Within two weeks after getting our local moratorium, the proposed developer went straight to our Public Service Commission,” Denko said.
Denko says residents are concerned the state approval process could move forward before the community has time to fully evaluate the project. She says residents will have an opportunity to submit public comments during the Public Service Commission review process.
Public Service Commission Responds
RFD News reached out to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission regarding its role in reviewing proposed energy projects, the expected timeline for the application process, and opportunities for public involvement.
The PSC confirmed Robin Energy Storage filed a pre-application engineering plan on June 18, 2026, but the company has not yet filed the required Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application.
According to the PSC, Robin Energy Storage plans to file a CPCN application this summer for the proposed 200-megawatt battery energy storage system.
Once a CPCN application is filed, the PSC has 30 days to determine whether the application is complete. After an application is deemed complete, the Commission generally has 180 days to make a final decision, unless that timeline is extended under state law.
The PSC says public participation is part of the CPCN review process. Residents will have opportunities to submit comments and participate in public hearings once a Notice of Hearing is issued.
Comments submitted during the public comment period become part of the official record reviewed by Commissioners when making a decision on the project.
The PSC also noted that public comments are accepted during the environmental review process and can help inform the agency’s evaluation of the project.
Residents interested in following the case and participating in the review process can access additional information through the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s construction review resources and public participation materials.
