Latest news with #VistaSandsSolar
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vista Sands Solar Farm reaches deal to protect greater prairie chickens in Portage County
POYNETTE − The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Vista Sands Solar have reached an agreement that should allow the planned Portage County solar farm to move forward. Late last year, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the Vista Sands Solar project, which will be the largest of its kind in Wisconsin and among the most powerful in the country, generating near 1.2 gigawatts of electricity. In early February, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation filed an appeal in Columbia County regarding the project, expressing concern for Wisconsin's threatened prairie chicken population, in an effort to stop the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's approval of the project, according to online court records and a joint news release from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Vista Sands Solar Farm. The agreement between the Wildlife Federation and Vista Sands, which was announced Monday morning, states the Wildlife Federation will be withdrawing its appeal, as part of the agreement, pending formal approval from the Public Service Commission. Readers ask: What's going on at the Plover water tower by I-39? We have your answers. Local business news: A new restaurant will replace Grazies Italian Grill in Stevens Point. When will they open? The agreement comes after several months of discussions aimed at protecting Wisconsin's greater prairie chickens while maintaining the full capacity and progress of the solar project, according to the joint news release. Conservationists and wildlife advocates had raised concerns about the project's proximity to the Buena Vista Grassland State Wildlife Area, home of the state's largest population of prairie chickens. As part of the agreement, Vista Sands Solar Farm is building on its existing commitments to restoring nearly 7,000 acres of native grasslands in the region. A key element of the agreement is Vista Sands setting aside 750 additional acres for the greater prairie chicken, according to the joint news release. Vista Sands has committed $1 million to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation to be used for habitat restoration and land acquisition for in the prairie chicken management priority areas, according to the news release. The Vista Sands Solar Farm plans remain on schedule and capacity remains intact, according to the news release. More than half of the project, being built by Doral Renewables, will be in the Portage County town of Grant and most of the rest will be in the town of Plover, with a small section in the village of Plover. The county and communities will receive a total of $6.5 million a year in payments from the project. Contact Karen Madden at kmadden@ Follow her on Twitter at @KMadden715, Instagram at @kmadden715 or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Portage County solar farm reaches deal to protect prairie chickens
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb lands director job on clean energy developer's board
Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and executives from Doral Renewables LLC break ground on the Mammoth Solar project in Northwest Indiana in October 2021. (Photo courtesy Holcomb's Flickr) Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's first role since leaving state office will be as board director for a Philadelphia-based renewable energy developer. Doral Renewables LLC announced Holcomb's board appointment on Thursday, less than three months after the two-term Republican governor's tenure came to end. After eight years in office, Holcomb passed the baton to Gov. Mike Braun in January. 'I couldn't be more excited to join the relationship-centric team at Doral Renewables,' Holcomb said in a written statement. 'Doral's world-class vision and mission are both critically important to meet the communities' needs and provide them with economic opportunities and increased energy demand we are going to experience in the upcoming years. I look forward to strategically assisting Doral as the months and years unfold.' Outgoing Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb looks back on eight years in office — and at what's next Holcomb, 56, had previously resisted speculation on where he might go — or what he would do — after completing his role in state government. He and his wife, Janet, have since moved from the governor's residence to a home just northwest of Indianapolis. Doral Renewables describes itself as an 'an independent power producer' specializing in greenfield development — meaning new construction projects on undeveloped land — of utility-scale renewable energy projects. The company's 14-gigawatt portfolio includes the 1.3-gigawatt Mammoth Solar complex in Indiana and the 1.2-gigawatt Vista Sands Solar project in Wisconsin. The Indiana project — which spans 13,000 acres across Starke and Pulaski counties — is expected to power roughly a quarter-million households once complete, according to company officials. Holcomb cited the project in his 2022 State of the State address, calling it 'an incredible investment and confidence in the state of Indiana and its people,' and emphasized the significant economic and environmental benefits coming to Northwest Indiana, as a result. Holcomb, along with leaders of Indiana's Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), held multiple meetings and public engagements with project executives from Doral Renewables in both Indiana and Israel. The U.S.-based developer has roots in Israel and is backed by both Israeli and U.S. investors. 'Governor Holcomb brings decades of exceptional experience in policymaking and economic development. His vision and leadership have resulted in record-breaking investments in Indiana,' said Nick Cohen, president and CEO of Doral Renewables. 'His innovative mindset aligns with our farmer community, especially as we continue to enhance our agrivoltaics deployment efforts, benefiting both the national grid by diversifying energy resources and cost reduction as well as local farmers by maximizing land use and creating additional revenue streams.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Former Indiana Governor Holcomb Joins Doral Renewables Board of Directors
PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Doral Renewables LLC, a leading developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy projects, has announced the appointment of former Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb to its board of directors. Holcomb recently completed his eight-year term as the 51st Governor of Indiana, during which the state saw record-breaking investments and job creation. Doral Renewables, an independent power producer, specializes in greenfield development of utility scale renewable energy projects. Its 14 gigawatt (GW) pipeline includes projects such as the 1.3 GW Mammoth Solar in Indiana and the 1.2 GW Vista Sands Solar project in Wisconsin. These two projects alone will power 500,000 Midwestern households. The company's Mammoth Solar project in Indiana impacts the Hoosier state's economy by tapping into Indiana's leading industries, including utilizing approximately 20,000 tons of Indiana steel. The project is also expected to contribute over $40 million to local municipalities through taxes and economic development payments. One of Doral's primary efforts focuses on implementing dual-use practices that allow solar energy and farming to co-exist on the same land, offering local family farms the opportunity to increase profitability, and promote food production and heritage farming. Mammoth Solar currently features 2,000 livestock grazing within the project's perimeter and the cultivation of several food crops. 'Governor Holcomb brings decades of exceptional experience in policymaking and economic development. His vision and leadership have resulted in record-breaking investments in Indiana,' stated Nick Cohen, President and CEO of Doral Renewables. 'His innovative mindset aligns with our farmer community, especially as we continue to enhance our agrivoltaics deployment efforts, benefiting both the national grid by diversifying energy resources and cost reduction as well as local farmers by maximizing land use and creating additional revenue streams.' 'I couldn't be more excited to join the relationship-centric team at Doral Renewables', said Holcomb. 'Doral's world-class vision and mission are both critically important to meet the communities' needs and provide them with economic opportunities and increased energy demand we are going to experience in the upcoming years. I look forward to strategically assisting Doral as the months and years unfold.' About Doral Renewables Doral Renewables is a Philadelphia-based developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy assets throughout the United States. Our solar and storage development portfolio exceeds 14 GW, which includes 400 MW currently in operation and 950 MW under construction. Doral Renewables operates in 20 states and across seven electricity markets. With a strong focus on community engagement, we aim to integrate agrivoltaics practices throughout our pipeline, creating additional opportunities for farming communities. We have secured over $2.5 billion in long-term wholesale power purchase agreements with U.S. customers. Our global management and leadership team includes the Doral Group (TASE: DORL), Migdal Group (TASE: MGDL), Clean Air Generation, APG, and Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO). Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. Governor Eric J. Holcomb Eric J. Holcomb most recently served as the 51st Governor of the State of Indiana. Holcomb is a lifelong Hoosier, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduated from Pike High School and Hanover College in southeastern Indiana. He went on to serve six years of active duty in the U.S. Navy, first at Naval Station Great Lakes , and later at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, and then overseas at CINCIBERLANT NATO Command in Portugal. Holcomb was a trusted advisor to both Governor Mitch Daniels and Senator Dan Coats and served as a former state chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. He just finished serving in his second term as governor having been elected in 2016 and 2020 when he received the most votes for governor in Indiana history. Prior to his election as governor, Holcomb served as Indiana's 51st Lieutenant Governor alongside then Governor Mike Pence. Holcomb has earned a reputation as a problem-solving, consensus builder focused on creating new opportunities for all. He frequently traveled throughout the state, visiting with Hoosiers about how to make Indiana the best place in the world to live, work, study, play, and stayed focused on economic, workforce, and community development. Under Holcomb's leadership, Indiana soared to new heights, including record investments and outcomes in infrastructure, education and healthcare and becoming an economic envy in America. Holcomb and his wife, Janet, live with their miniature schnauzer Oliver in central Indiana.
