MADISON, Wis. — More than one year after being introduced, lawmakers heard a bill on Tuesday that would put new regulations around certain energy projects.

Despite the delay in bringing the legislation to a State Senate committee, State Sen. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, said now is the time to have a conversation about regulating renewable energy.

“Regardless of what the other house did or didn’t do, we’re still going to take the lead on this to ensure that the voices are heard and that the conversation begins,” Bradley said.

Senate Bill 3 would require anyone seeking permits from the Public Service Commission for wind or solar projects to first get approval from local governing bodies.

Erik Bakken came from Mineral Point to the State Capitol to testify in favor of the bill.

He said he wants local governments to have a say in projects that could significantly impact their communities.

“I feel like the best form of governance is that of your own, and the further from you it gets is the less it has to do with you,” Bakken said.

State Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, authored the State Assembly version of the bill.

He said he’s focused on preserving farmland that wind and solar projects take up, along with finding better methods for energy production.

“The amount of power that we’re going to need in the state of Wisconsin is just going to astronomically increase over the coming decades,” Tranel said. “You’re literally not going to be able to produce enough power simply through wind and solar.”

Tranel said he’s spoken with utilities about moving toward nuclear energy options.

Clean energy advocates like Madison resident Don Ferber would rather see the state encourage renewable methods instead of restricting them.

“The energy we use needs to be not only clean, but affordable, and that’s been the key issue,” Ferber said. “Solar and wind are the most affordable forms of energy that we have right now to produce.”

Jennifer Giegerich with Wisconsin Conservation Voters asked lawmakers to go back to the drawing board and find different solutions for powering Wisconsin.

“We do need to have a large-scale energy conversation in this state, but this bill limits our options and is not a good proposal, and we therefore ask you to oppose it,” Giegerich said.

More than 20 different organizations are registered against the bill, which needs to be passed by the Senate committee before it can be scheduled for a full vote.

Its path to the governor’s desk is uncertain after the State Assembly adjourned last month, and the State Senate is expected to meet for its final floor session next week.