WHEATLAND, Wis. — As the Wheatland Village Board prepares to revisit a deeply divisive battery energy storage proposal rejected by the Plan Commission, scrutiny has intensified over the ownership of the land itself — a large parcel held in a trust bearing the Kerkman family name, which Kenosha County Eye is told has a direct blood relationship to Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman. The issue has drawn additional attention because Kerkman’s ex-wife, Samantha Kerkman, the Kenosha County Executive, attended the meeting at which the project was denied, a presence many residents say could reasonably be interpreted as support for the project, given that the matter involved a town-level land-use decision and not a county vote. Those perceptions, residents say, have raised eyebrows and intensified calls for transparency. Any alleged behind-the-scenes involvement has not been independently verified through public records.
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
It was reported that more than 150 residents packed the Wheatland Town Hall on Jan. 13 during a public hearing on the proposed Robin Energy Storage facility, a 200-megawatt lithium iron phosphate battery installation planned for land north of Highway 50, west of the ATC substation. Speaker after speaker urged town officials to reject the project outright, citing concerns about fire risk, toxic gas releases, groundwater contamination, emergency response capacity, proximity to Wheatland Center School, and long-term impacts on property values and insurance.
Following hours of testimony that was overwhelmingly opposed to the project, the Wheatland Plan Commission voted to recommend denial of three of the four land-use requests tied to the proposal, including rezoning and a conditional use permit. Samantha Kerkman was present at that meeting, a fact repeatedly raised by residents afterward as they questioned why a county executive would attend a town proceeding unless she supported the proposal or anticipated further action beyond the local level.
Residents say the matter did not end there.
Several Wheatland residents allege that Town Chairman Jeff Butler has continued discussing the project privately with Robin Energy representatives even after the Plan Commission’s recommendation and the clear public pushback. Residents further allege that Samantha Kerkman has been involved in discussions about how the project could still move forward despite the rejection recommendation. Those claims remain allegations and have not been substantiated with public records.
The allegations have fueled growing anger among residents, many of whom say town leadership is disregarding the will of the community in favor of a lucrative financial agreement tied to the project. Under a proposed Joint Development Agreement, Robin Energy would pay the Town of Wheatland $1 million upfront and $400,000 annually for 20 years — a total of $8.6 million.
During the Jan. 13 public hearing, Samantha Kerkman addressed questions about authority and funding, explaining that battery energy storage projects are not currently included in Wisconsin’s utility aid framework, unlike some other utility developments. She said that distinction creates uncertainty about how revenue would be distributed and how much authority the state could ultimately exercise over such projects. She also referenced other communities where similar proposals bypassed local approval and went directly to the state — comments some residents interpreted as signaling that local opposition alone might not be enough to stop the project.
Residents repeatedly pressed officials on whether the project could be forced through despite local resistance, including questions about eminent domain and state-level intervention. While no official said the state would step in, several acknowledged that the legal landscape surrounding battery storage projects remains unsettled.
The land proposed for the facility — tax parcel 95-4-219-323-0225, located north of Highway 50 and west of the ATC substation — is registered to the Catherine H. Kerkman Irrevocable Income Only Trust, with a listed mailing address in the 7900 block of 94th Avenue in Pleasant Prairie. The nature of any relationship between the trust and public officials is unknown, and the ownership issue was not addressed on the record during the public hearing.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Adding to the network of overlapping family names, Randy Kerkman, the village administrator for the Village of Bristol, is related by blood to Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman, according to information provided to Kenosha County Eye. It is unknown whether Randy Kerkman is also related to the Catherine H. Kerkman Irrevocable Income Only Trust, which owns the land proposed for the battery storage project, and no such relationship has been confirmed through public records.
Tensions escalated further after Robin Energy formally withdrew its zoning and land-use applications. In a letter signed by Jan Porvaznik, the company’s Director of Project Development, Robin Energy stated that the Plan Commission’s recommendation to deny the applications was not supported by the evidentiary record and asserted that the commission failed to provide a reasonable and objective evaluation. Residents described the tone of the letter as sharply critical of the Plan Commission members, with the company insisting the project met all applicable legal, safety, and engineering standards and suggesting the local process had broken down.
While withdrawing its applications, the company also made clear it intends to continue pursuing the project through other avenues, heightening fears among residents that the proposal could return in another form or through another level of government.
For many residents, the withdrawal did not signal the end of the fight. Instead, they say it underscored concerns about transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and whether public opposition will ultimately be overridden.
Requests for comment from Town Chairman Jeff Butler, Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman, and Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman were not returned prior to publication. Kenosha County Eye will update this story if responses are received.
28 Responses
Hell or high water- Wheatland is getting a battery center. The peasants need to shut up and learn to know their place.
The officials work for the people. They should listen to what the people want, not try to sneak it in under another name.
Ideally , yes . But this is Kerkman Kingdom.
Well this sounds just like the Kenosha land co( Seminole tribe) and the Bristol land sale. Lots of backdoor stunts to get this done without info being leaked. The damn Kerkmans are above the law, and all of us
Unreal
Looks like Sam isn’t facing an opponent in re- election so here comes the pay to play scams again ! She says she’s for what ever the people are for but time and time again back doored again . People need to stop listening to her if she cares. Wonder what Erin Deckers view is on this . Kerkman has her under her control as well .
Politics as usual in small towns. Look at Paris, do you really think the residents wanted those solar panels??? And, the best part is, that the people that own some of the properties that the panels are on, dont even live in Paris! They bought the land at a agriculture use price and now are making a bundle. And, do you really think Paris residents wanted the city of Kenosha annexing all of the I94 corridor ???? That boundary agreement was signed by kenosha, Paris and Jim kreuser! Somebody made some $$$ in that deal. And now, according to what I’ve seen, Paris wants to approve another generating station on 172nd Avenue, down the road from the existing one. Again, do you think the residents wanted any of this??? Nope, not at all.
That’s why it’s important to stop it now
Governor Evers, you signed this new green scam , why don’t you volunteer to put one in your backyard and when all these solar panels and battery facilities are updated and need to be recycled will dump them in your front yard funny you approve it for everybody else’s but you wouldn’t want this crap in your yard good riddance
Fake News- Kerkman’s ! Tell them to move to Illinois ,get them the hell out of our town !
Wake up people don’t buy into their hidden agendas . Clean up your act Sammy
It doesn’t take much research to find out what’s Randy’s relationship is to Catherine “Kay” Kerkman or his relationship to Chad and Butler’s relationship to the Kerkman’s.
Just waits until Bristol invites it to town or Salem gets duped and it gets built there.
Please God, no – they have been trashing Bristol so much already !
Samantha, for one time back up your constituents. You were there , as a mother O want as well to protect our kids. You said at the meeting your all here I will back up the town . Let’s see how what you do, your hoping town board will make the decision do you don’t have too . Many of us voted for you . Let’s see you now support us
Samantha many of us voted for you. You said you would support our town. But then I hear last Monday morning you met with Robins Lawyer , the fire chief , our town lawyer , our chairman. The fire chief isn’t an elected position. He keeps pushing this on all of you . As a mother our kids are the most important. Our community voted it down . Your hoping the town makes the decision to reverse its decision so you don’t have too. We know the game. Let Robins do what they gave to and support the towns people . Samantha , I’m one of few that believe you will do what the town decided on January 13th. Please don’t let us down .
Nice work Kevin Stay on this !
https://www.lwm-info.org/DocumentCenter/View/6443/7–Wisconsin-Ethics-Laws-Recognizing-and-Avoiding-Conflicts-of-Interest#:~:text=ETH%2D1215
I hope Kevin attends next Monday’s meeting
There is so much stank on this
Normally a project such as this would be evaluated on a risk reward basis. The electrical grid stability has changed. With wind mills and solar panels energy storage is the other piece that does not get talked about. Large generators had spinning reserve, the grid has become weaker with solar and wind. Batteries are used all over the county and having one in this area will add needed stability. The grid utilizes a capacity charge and is a mechanism to ensure there is sufficient electrical generation. The batteries also help maintain critical voltage and aide in frequency control. These components are essential to the grid. Grid Stability is essential to our way of life. I am disappointed the planning department did not bring this to light. I am not a fan of wind mills and solar farms. Europe has proven this is not a reliable source of power. We have to deal with the issues that are now at hand.
This is all for Microsoft – wake up
Protect our children ! Move it to Microsoft on there land , and let them do their own energy there .
The damage that will be done will be irreparable for generations to come . Farmers are the lifeline to America . Don’t sell out my fellow great America farmers to these big tech money hungry scabs. Stay strong Wheatland you can do this . We did it in Caledonia ! Hopefully you have good board members to fight for you .
Please consider signing the petition.
https://www.change.org/p/urge-wheatland-board-to-reject-robin-energy-battery-project
Scroll down to see some good comments, and come to the board meeting. They need to hear from others that haven’t spoken up.
“We are not uniformed, no amount of money will offset the risks, please respect our wishes and cancel the meeting with foreign owned investors Robin/CIP.”
Kevin any update on responses from our leaders?
Nope
Q: When will it be built and when will it come online?
A: Under the project’s current timeline, construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2027,
which would put it on schedule to begin operations in late 2028.
There is a document out there from Robinson energy open house questions and answers that has the dates listed already. It’s like the board is telling you it’s pulled from the table in January with the most likely it being resubmitted application wise but it was a closed door decision already which is against the legislative law. Closed door proceedings can not be held unless it’s dealing with salary or medical issues of the board.
Amanda Nedweski – Samantha Kerkman – Jeff Butler – Board members
All the people that supported you , you say your here for our community and will support what the town people say then back door us! Your never get our votes again and the best thing that comes out of this as a community we win no matter what , we know you guys are worthless on your word and our trust is zero with you . This town has heart , living here with my neighbors for many generations now know your true colors you have no idea the damage you caused in our community. The right thing to do we were told was to get her involved and help us not just at the state level but the federal level as well . You keep telling everyone we have. I voice it will happen no matter what the Public Service Commission will do it no matter what . They should sue all of you for saying something you don’t know how they will decide . So sad , I thought all of you were good people for our community… hopefully last minute you will rethink this and support your town
RECALL RECALL RECALL Wisconsin state statutes Chapter 9.10 (Text available on the internet) Probably best to have a lawyer to avoid mistakes or anything that could get the petitions thrown out (Such as signatures from people not residents of the municipality, etc.)
Recall Is right, it’s time Wheatland and Kenosha county ! Some of them are going unopposed… Write a name in , don’t give them your vote . We need a major recall .
Still no representation from any of our leaders , and I know they are reading this . You guys are horrible at the job you’re doing and selling us out . You won’t get our votes if you ever run again or any other future elected positions you may seek out . No one believes any of you people trust me we all have spoken .
I read the documents submitted to the county for this BESS. The dispersal analysis report states a plume would travel about 330 feet in a 10 mph wind. Higher winds are more often than not and then there’s a proven tornado factor to consider. Additionally, add-on equipment is available to snuff toxic fumes but was not mentioned as being included in each unit