Last week, we told you about the need to aggressively avoid any new gas infrastructure and get clean energy online. We have good news! There has been progress made this year towards the goal, and we’ve laid a lot of groundwork to ensure this path continues (and it’s only February!). Here are some of the things we’ve been up to:
Victory! Manitowoc gas proposal rescinded!
Wisconsin is facing an onslaught of new gas proposals, including a number of reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) units. Earlier this year, we saw our first victory! Last year, the Great Lakes Utilities submitted an application to build a new RICE unit in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. GLU submitted an inadequate application and requested the Wisconsin Public Service Commission rubber stamp it without a public input process. We responded immediately challenging their lackluster explanation of ‘need’ for the project, lack of analysis of the ability to use clean energy instead, and their interest in undermining public engagement. In response, GLU rescinded their application earlier this year.
Securing clean energy: Our members express support of the Koshkonong Solar project.
The approval of this project is important because it will add 300 MW of clean energy and 165 MW of storage to Wisconsin’s energy generation. This will replace the Columbia coal plant that we successfully pushed to retire. The Public Service Commission (PSC) held a hearing and public comment period in January. More than 750 people commented in support of the project, far outpacing those opposing the project. Learn more about the project here.
Fighting for low-energy users
Wisconsin utilities continue to arbitrarily set ‘fixed fees’ or ‘customer charges’- these are the charges customers pay before even turning on the lights. These fees hurt low-energy users (which are often low-income users) because it’s a higher portion of the bill than they can control. Though we made some progress in getting these fees reduced last year, the utilities still refuse to set rules around how they choose the amount the fee is. Earlier this year, we challenged the approval of Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E)’s rate case because it doesn’t address this critical issue. We challenged this same issue last year and that is working through the legal process.
Challenging WEC’s gas storage proposal
Last year, the PSC approved WEC’s proposal to build gas storage facilities in Ixonia and Bluff Creek, Wisconsin, despite the overwhelming evidence that the project is expensive, irresponsible, inequitable, and bad for the climate. In January, we requested that the PSC reconsider this decision, given the commitments by the Evers and Biden Administration to create a path towards clean energy and Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change Report recommendation to avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure (#47). The PSC ignored our request so we’re working out the next steps right now.
What we’re working on:
Although the Manitowoc RICE unit cancellation was a major victory, there remains much work to be done in transitioning Wisconsin off of fossil gas. Dairyland and WEC have several fossil gas projects in the permit-seeking stage, and it is crucial that these construction plans do not proceed. We cannot afford to commit Wisconsin to more decades of burning unsustainable fuel.
Fighting “RICE” gas plants proposed for Weston-area
As we work to ensure that our transition off of coal doesn’t become a transition to natural gas, we are using every opportunity to discuss the impacts of methane pollution and gas use on climate change. The Department of Natural Resources held a public comment period in early February on the air pollution that would be caused by the plant. Despite less than a week’s notice, 11 people testified and their testimony spanned personal stories about air pollution to concerns of climate change and the need to get off fossil fuels. We’re waiting for final decisions from the DNR and PSC on these expensive plants.
Supporting Manitowoc Community Solar project
After withdrawing their application for the RICE unit, Manitowoc Public Utilities has proposed a community solar project. The proposal would allow Manitowoc residents to buy into a solar project and get the benefits of solar. This provides access to solar for everyone, even if they can’t afford an entire system or don’t have a great location for solar on their property.
Stopping the proposed NTEC gas plant
We are waiting for a Judge to rule in our appeal of the decision to greenlight the Namadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC), Dairyland’s proposed gas plant for Superior. Our case was bolstered last year when it was discovered that former PSC Commissioner Mike Huebsch cast the deciding vote on the project under a conflict of interest. Although we’re waiting for his decision in order to learn what’s next for the process, we don’t need him to tell us what we already know- NTEC is bad for Dairyland’s customers and hurts our climate and environment. Given this, we don’t need to wait. We’re calling on Dairyland to cancel plans for the plant and build clean energy instead. We’re also calling on the Biden Administration not to fund the project.
What you can do
Sign the PSC gas petition: We need Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission (PSC) to be part of the path to 100% clean energy as well. If you haven’t yet, please sign the petition to the PSC asking them to leave gas in the past.
RSVP to Conservation Congress: there will be a question about whether Wisconsin should oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure and the results of the Spring Hearing questionnaire will demonstrate how Wisconsinites feel about this and other important issues. RSVP here.