Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
MADISON, WI -- Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin filed an appeal today with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to challenge the decision made by Dane County Circuit Court, rejecting their 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.
Sierra Club Wisconsin Director, Elizabeth Ward, released the following statement:
"Building a new gas plant would still be an environmental and economic disaster. Utilities across the country are doubling down on risky fossil fuel investments while failing to proactively invest in clean energy, efficiency, and other infrastructure that would make these increasingly strained systems more resilient, affordable, and sustainable.
“Constructing NTEC would saddle Wisconsinites with 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.”
Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Katie Nekola, released the following statement:
“When this project was approved, one PSC commissioner said it would have the worst environmental impacts he’d ever seen. The Chair of the Commission dissented from the approval, saying that neither of the sites put forth by the applicants was in the public interest. The NTEC project should never have been approved in the first place, and we will continue to fight it.”
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.