Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
MADISON, WI -- Today, Dane County Circuit Court rejected Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin’s arguments that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) failed to adequately consider environmental impacts for the $700 million Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) gas plant proposed by Dairyland Power Minnesota Power, and Basin Electric in Superior, Wisconsin.
The groups raised concerns about the climate and environmental impacts of the proposed NTEC plant as the PSC decided not to consider the full scope of climate impacts associated with the plant. In 2020, the organizations challenged that decision. Others, including the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, also have opposed the proposed plant, raising concerns about its impact on local wetlands and the larger climate.
Despite the disappointing news, the merits ruling does not clear the way for the project's construction, and advocates continue to point out the serious conflict of interest claims yet to be decided by the Court.
Allowing the plant to move forward contradicts the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change recommendation to avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure. The plant also faces continued scrutiny in Minnesota as part of Minnesota Power's resource plan.
Sierra Club Wisconsin Director, Elizabeth Ward, released the following statement:
"Sierra Club is disappointed by the Court’s decision. Building a new gas plant would be an environmental and economic disaster that would leave communities saddled with climate-disrupting emissions and a bad investment, both of which we’ll be paying for for decades.
"Utilities need to get it out of their head that gas is the future. It’s simply not true. With renewed conversations around gas and energy reliability, it’s more important than ever to invest in clean energy systems that communities can rely on. From the point it is extracted, piped across the country, and finally burned at power plants, gas has dire impacts on our air, water, and climate that is just as bad as other fossil fuels like coal.
“Building NTEC would lock Wisconsinites into decades of paying for this plant and set back home-grown renewable development in Northern Wisconsin for years to come. We will continue to fight against NTEC and all new gas plants for the sake of our climate and the communities that would bear the burden of continued investment in fossil fuels.”
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.