What is Ranger Power?
Ranger Power is a solar development company which has a questionable track record. They are known for strong-arming local legislative bodies, against the will of the communities they trample over, to make a quick profit. Their MO is to pop up under a new name, use dirty tricks to force their solar projects through local government, capitalize on the government's solar subsidies, and then pawn the execution and responsibility of the project to other big corporations. They then move on to their next cash grab in another community using the same set of tactics.
- Building Solar Farms May Not Build the Middle Class (The New York Times)
- In Southern Illinois they promised to use a union but "mostly hired nonunion workers" and "used workers who are not qualified and not supervised by a qualified person to perform electrical wiring and connections and paid them less than the union rate."
- "Given the sometimes messy maneuvering that goes into obtaining land and permits, it can be helpful for [firms funding Ranger Power] to stand at arm’s length from the development process."
- A worker splicing cables together was asked "if she was a licensed journeyman or if a journeyman was directly supervising her work, as state regulations require. The worker indicated that neither was the case."
- "The solar industry is shaping up to look less like a workers’ paradise than something more akin to an Amazon warehouse: grueling work schedules, middling wages and steady profits for wealthy investors."
- "There’s a nagging concern among worker advocates that the shift to green jobs may reinforce inequality rather than alleviate it."
- "Green jobs created then coincided with a loss of jobs elsewhere, including high-paying, unionized industrial jobs. And the green jobs did not appear to raise the wages of workers who filled them."
Western Mustang Solar
Western Mustang Solar, a shell company for Ranger Power, illegally rammed their project through Gilman Township, Wisconsin and Pierce County, Wisconsin local government. Using dirty tricks, bribery, and a team of out-of-state suits and ties they rushed to get their project approved before selling the project and the community's future off to large corporations and jumping ship.
Phil Verges - Spring Valley / Gilman Township, Wisconsin Board Chair
- Had a conflict of interest with Ranger Power as he received payment for leasing his land
- Communicated to the board on behalf of Ranger Power, participated in meetings regarding the project, and did not recuse himself in meetings regarding the project
- Advised the Gilman Township board to limit the amount of public meetings on the project
- Was involved in "initial" board meetings for the project, despite the board knowing there was a conflict of interest
- After confirming his previous involvement in the solar project was illegal, he goes on to choose his replacement on the board, doesn't recuse himself at meetings about the solar project, and participates in those meetings
- Directs the board to "find wording" in the township's comprehensive plan (which forbids the solar project) to justify the project and admits it "might take some study"
Tom Manley - Spring Valley / Gilman Township, Wisconsin Planning Commission
- Had a conflict of interest with Ranger Power as the company he works for, MOSES, regularly holds conferences which are funded by and promote solar energy companies
- Harassed a citizen who was trying to vote and tried to submit a public records request for information about the solar project
- Harassed a member of the community and defended doxing them for asking questions about the solar project
- Advised the board to delay seeking legal advice regarding multiple board members' conflict of interest
- Directed the board to hold illegal, "unofficial" meetings about the solar project
- Coordinated with Ranger Power to form a response to the community's opposition to the solar project which was published in the local news
Other
- Gilman Town Board attempting to evade Wisconsin Open Meeting Law with an illegal board meeting
- Ranger Power soliciting an off the books meeting with the town board
- Ranger Power/Western Mustang tried to buy community members' silence for tens of thousands of dollars after local opposition
Other Shell Companies
- Badger State Solar - Jefferson County, Jefferson Township, and Oakland Township, Wisconsin
- Assembly Solar - Shiawassee County, Hazelton Township, and Venice Township, Michigan
- River Fork Solar - Calhoun County, Jackson County, Sheridan Township, and Parma Township Michigan
- Onion River Solar - Holland Township and Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
- Resident accused Ranger Power of making false or misleading statements and the Holland Town Board of corruption.
- 40 Miles North Of Milwaukee, Debate Over Another Proposed Huge Solar Farm, "neighbors [tried] to block Onion River Solar"
- Highgate Solar - Vermont
- Speedway Solar - Shelby County, Indiana
- Burton Hill Solar - Vermont
- Sheldon Solar - Vermont
- Coolidge Solar - Windsor County, Ludlow Township, and Cavendish Township, Vermont
- Show-Me State Solar - Callaway County and Kingdom City, Missouri