Cassie Steiner-Bouxa, cassandra.steiner@sierraclub.org, (262) 930-3963
MADISON, WI - Today the Public Service Commission is holding virtual public hearings on WEC Energy Group's Plan to build storage tanks to store extra fossil gas (also known as LNG or liquified-natural-gas tanks), in case they need it in the winter. Community groups and concerned Wisconsinites are participating in these hearings, voicing strong opposition.
WEC’s proposal isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s also bad for local consumers and ratepayers. It would cost ratepayers $460 million. Sierra Club submitted an expert analysis earlier this summer that shows that WEC could meet the stated needs of this project by funding an energy efficiency and demand-response program instead.
Members of the coalition earlier this year released an energy burden report proving People of Color in Milwaukee are most vulnerable when it comes to energy burden. The coalition is calling on WEC to cancel their plans to build these LNG terminals and instead invest in programs to reduce energy burden on these households.
"Energy burden is the ratio of what you pay toward energy out of your net income. People of Color have a higher energy burden in part because of energy inefficiency in our homes. This is systemic, this is historical, and this is set up to single out People of Color because of its connection to redlining. We need an energy efficiency program to decrease energy burden on Black and Latinx people in Milwaukee." - Dana Kelley, Citizen Action of Wisconsin and North Side Rising
"People are having to decide if they are paying the rent, the electric bill, the water bill, or for some family time with their kids. Those are decisions that people in the neighborhood are having to make. That is not healthy, nor is that fair. I don't know how things can be the way they are, or how We Energies could consider building fossil fuel storage that will pass along the cost to customers who are already struggling to pay their bills." - Keviea Guiden, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC)
“These gas tanks won't only affect Ixonia and Bluff Creek, but everyone in the state of Wisconsin. Everyone should make their voice heard to stop these fossil fuels from damaging our planet." - Marco Marquez, Alliance for Climate Education
"Building out new fossil fuel infrastructure is the wrong decision. Climate change is already impacting people's health and wellbeing, and there are alternative solutions to this problem that we need to act on now. Additionally, as someone who lives near Ixonia, there are serious concerns about the LNG proposal including risks of gas leaks and negative economic impacts to the community." - Hannah Mortensen, Physicians for Social Responsibility
"It seems like every day we're hearing news stories about the impact climate change is having on lives and livelihoods around the country and in our state. Investments in fossil fuel infrastructure will only exacerbate the higher temperatures, decreased water levels in waterways, and extreme weather events that we're seeing as first-hand evidence of climate change. As a We Energies customer I don't want my dollars going to fund new fossil fuel projects. We need to focus on renewable energy and efficiency solutions that can help turn the tide on the biggest crisis humanity is facing." - Jenny Able, Sierra Club Great Waters Group
Join hearings via Zoom:
Wednesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Zoom: Audiovisual connection- use https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings.
Telephone connection- Dial +1 312 626 6799, and enter 809 513 2930# (Meeting ID).
Listen live online at https://apps.psc.wi.gov/APPS/eventscalendar/broadcast/livebroadcast.aspx
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.