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Councilmember Woestehoff asked if this project is additional to the current solar farm south of <br />Highway 10 or if it would replace that farm. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt said it is in addition to the current farm. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson asked about the typical life cycle of a solar farm. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt stated that land leases are typically 30 years or more; however, the underground <br />infrastructure can last much longer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked if this would be in view from the homes in the area or if it would <br />interfere with the walking path that is there. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt explained that it will be behind a natural berm area and there are industrial facilities <br />to the south that will screen it as well. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley asked if this land has always been off limits and it is now opening to be <br />used by Connexus and if this would also open up industrial land that the City could utilize. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt said yes and explained that the solar panels are step one. He stated that the bonds <br />were prepaid for these solar panels. He said that they will be placed in a way to preserve space for <br />industrial lots. He stated that the City could then buy the land from MPCA. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she does not support solar or wind energy, but she does <br />support nuclear. She asked if Connexus Energy has looked at any nuclear options or any other <br />types of energy options. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt stated that it would be up to State what this site is used for in the future. He added <br />that they are currently studying small modular nuclears. He stated that they are only 38% carbon <br />free and by 2040 they need to be 100% carbon free. He said that solar fills a niche in the portfolio. <br />He said that using solar energy has also allowed for Connexus to not raise rates. He shared that he <br />will be going to Germany over the summer to learn more about their energy use. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if Germany relies on Russia for supplementing their energy. <br /> <br />Mr. Burandt said no and explained how they conserved their gas to mitigate exposure to the <br />Russian supply. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove shared that she is not sure how they will get to the goal of 100% carbon <br />free by 2040. She stated that if they wanted to get to this goal, the City would not be doing a lot of <br />the things it is doing. She reiterated that she would love to see pressure on the legislature from <br />power companies for nuclear technologies. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht noted the green space and stated that he is not sure how much control the <br />City will have over the green space. He asked if this area should stay as a green space. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / April 11, 2023 <br />Page 2 of 8 <br /> <br />