Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
Milwaukee, WI – Today, in its quarterly earnings report, WEC Energy Group announced that it plans to eliminate coal as an energy source by the end of 2032, three years earlier than their previous estimate. Their coal retirements planned are as follows:
- Oak Creek units 5-6: May 2024
- Oak Creek units 7-8: late 2025
- Columbia units 1-2: June 2026
- Weston unit 3: end of 2031
In 2020, We Energies, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, announced that it would close its Oak Creek Power Plant in 2023, replacing its burning coal with wind, solar, and fossil gas. Last year, We Energies pushed back the plant’s closure until 2025. The newest retirement dates for the Oak Creek plant still are later than their original commitment. This is the first time WEC Energy has shared a retirement date for the Weston unit.
WEC’s third quarter report also stated that by the end of 2030, they expect to use coal only as a backup fuel. WEC will additionally invest $1.4 billion in renewable energy and over $2 billion in gas generation and LNG upgrades.
Elizabeth Ward, Chapter Director of Sierra Club - Wisconsin, released the following statement:
“This Halloween, WEC Energy delivered both a trick and a treat. On one hand, we are glad WEC Energy is making a commitment to transition off of coal by the end of 2032. More than ever, relying on coal to meet our energy needs is outdated and uneconomical, both for utility companies like WEC Energy and their customers. This shortened timeline is welcome news. Building sources of clean energy is more cost effective than continuing to run existing coal-fired power plants. Clean energy will also help address the disproportionate energy burden for Black, Hispanic, and Latinx communities in Wisconsin.
“On the other hand, while this is an exciting investment in clean energy, an investment of over $2 billion in gas generation and LNG is not a viable long-term solution. Natural gas pollutes our air, warms our climate, and drives up our energy bills. We cannot compromise for false solutions, especially when clean energy is safer and less expensive.”
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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.