Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
Madison, WI – Today, Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin submitted a request that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission rescind the final decision granting the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) in Superior, Wisconsin. The certificate gives permission to South Shore Energy and Dairyland Power to begin building the combined-cycle gas plant. Since the initial application, there has been significant buildout of renewable energy and battery storage in Wisconsin, with additional opportunities for more affordable, cleaner alternatives to gas and other fossil fuels.
Elizabeth Ward, Wisconsin Chapter Director of Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“Now more than ever, we have clean energy solutions that can reliably and affordably meet Wisconsin’s energy needs. Between the rapid growth of battery storage capacity and the opportunity of the New ERA program in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), fossil fuel energy sources like NTEC are significantly more costly, more health adverse, and more climate destructive than clean options. Instead, battery storage and clean energy alternatives through the IRA provide the most feasible and cost-effective solutions to meet the needs of Dairyland Power customers.
“Many especially rural customers in Dairyland’s territory are already struggling, and building NTEC would unnecessarily add to their burdens. The IRA offers tax credits, grants, and loans specifically for rural electric cooperatives, such as Dairyland Power, that will be available this year to reduce the cost of solar, wind, and battery storage construction by 50-75 percent. Taking advantage of these solutions is the most practical and economical path for Wisconsin, and Dairyland should pursue them instead of the expensive Nemadji Trail Energy Center.”
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.