Coalition Stands Against WEC Energy Group’s Plan for New Gas and Corporate Greed

Racine, WISCONSIN – Today, a coalition held a press conference in opposition to WEC Energy Group’s plan to build new gas plants. The parent company of We Energies, WEC plans to build new plants that total 3,000 megawatts (MWs) of gas, constructing 1,300 MWs of expensive new power plants, and converting nearly 2,000 MW of existing coal to gas.

These new plans directly contradict WEC Energy Group’s stated goal of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. WEC Energy Group admits the natural gas plants will be in operation for the next 30 years– exceeding their carbon neutral deadline.

Coalition stands at Chapla Park with We Energies’ Oak Creek coal plant smokestacks chugging behind. Photo by Megan Wittman.

“We Energies and WEC have long put massive profit margins ahead of affordability for customers, and these plans for new gas plants in the region are yet another heartless and unapologetic cash-grab from folks struggling to pay their energy bills. We’re not standing for it. While clean energy sources are more affordable and available than ever, any resort to maintain reliance on fossil fuels is simply irresponsible, reprehensible, and blatantly greedy,” said Cassie Steiner, Senior Campaign Coordinator at Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter.

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, both owned by WEC Energy Group, have requested a $800 million rate increase over the next two years. This would be We Energies’ third rate increase in three years. We Energies has continued to make false claims in an attempt to legitimize yet another rate increase, but remains the most profitable utility in Wisconsin, making more than double the revenue of the next highest utility. 

“People in our community have been financially burdened because of We Energies’ greed and increased rates over the years. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or keeping their lights on. Milwaukeeans struggle to pay their bills, and We Energies gets richer with every rate increase. We deserve better than We Energies,” said Keveia Guiden, Energy Burden Organizer, North Side Rising Co-op, Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

We Energies’ rate increases have disproportionately burdened Black and Hispanic/Latinx neighborhoods in Milwaukee. These neighborhoods experience more than double the energy burden compared to predominantly white neighborhoods. Another rate increase would only further pad We Energies’ pockets at the expense of its customers, particularly those Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities.

“While the fossil fuel industry aggressively promotes gas power plants as a clean energy source, this is a lie. The truth is gas plants produce dangerous air pollution that harms the health of Wisconsinites, especially socially and economically disadvantaged children,” said Dr. Jean C. Bikomeye, a Postdoctoral Public Health Research Fellow in the Greater Milwaukee area, and member of Healthy Climate Wisconsin.  “As a Milwaukee-based public health professional and father, I study how air pollution and climate change impact health, and advocate for solutions like neighborhood greenspaces to improve air quality and our quality of life. As we continue to combat poor air quality, we must join forces with nearby communities and grassroots leaders to oppose new fossil fuel investments that disregard the impact on the air we breathe and, therefore, our health.”