Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
Madison, WI— Today, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to approve WEC Energy Group’s proposal for a new fossil gas plant in Rothschild and Kronenwetter. The RICE (reciprocating internal combustion engines) proposal came after WEC’s announcement that they would move away from coal by 2035. The utility has refused to meaningfully consider alternatives such as distributed generation, demand response, storage and energy efficiency. This refusal to consider viable alternatives conflicts with Governor Evers’ climate commitments, particularly his Task Force on Climate Change’s recommendation that the state avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure.
In response, Sierra Club Wisconsin Director Elizabeth Ward stated:
“We can not continue to allow energy companies to build more fossil fuel infrastructure. This disappointing decision will cost ratepayers and ignores President Biden and Governor Evers’ climate commitments, and UN Secretary General António Guterres’ statement that last August’s IPCC report is a “code red for humanity.”
"Doubling down on fossil fuels, like gas, and this approval takes us a step backwards from where we need to be going. In their decision, the commission specifically refused to hold utilities to Governor Evers’ climate goals, despite being an agency of the Governor’s office. This decision comes on the heels of hundreds of Wisconsin residents speaking out against gas and demanding the PSC prioritize our need to shift our energy infrastructure. There are excellent, clean alternatives to gas plants that are being used in other states right now and that will serve our communities, climate and economy well. It’s time to start investing in them in Wisconsin.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.