MILWAUKEE – Today, hundreds of Wisconsinites testified at public hearings hosted by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) about a proposal from We Energies to build $1.5 billion of new methane gas, which the industry calls ‘natural gas,’ infrastructure in Oak Creek. The proposal includes a 1,100-megawatt methane gas plant and a 30-mile pipeline and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) storage facility to service the proposed plant.
We Energies’ gas proposals prioritize shareholder profits while leaving Wisconsin families on the hook for all the risks, likely costing everyone who gets a WE Energies bill hundreds of dollars. Their proposals before the PSC only speculate about the energy needs required to support development in the I-94 corridor, as We Energies doesn’t yet have contracts for service from potential new, high-demand energy users. Ensuring reliable energy for customers and businesses is the utmost priority, but We Energies is overlooking cheaper renewable options for this potential demand and instead favoring the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure.
At the very minimum and before a decision is made, the PSC and the general public should be provided with the following information from We Energies:
- The precise timeline for the expected energy needs of new, high-demand energy users.
- The specific amount of expected energy required.
- The expected duration of this energy demand.
So far, We Energies has failed to provide these critical details to the PSC, which regulates utilities to protect customers. This is inexcusable, especially considering Wisconsin utilities make a profit percentage on any new infrastructure, directly incentivizing We Energies to push proposals with high price tags.
Several energy experts and recent reports have demonstrated that We Energies could provide reliable energy with 21st-century solutions that don’t leave customers on the hook for costs, yet We Energies’ resource plan prioritizes fossil fuel power plants over cost-effective and readily available alternatives. This bias is evident in their underestimation of renewable energy potential (wind, solar, batteries) and the neglect of proven solutions like energy efficiency, demand response, combined heat and power (CHP), and virtual power plants.
By favoring gas, We Energies overlooks the cheapest, fastest, and healthiest path to meeting projected load demands, undermining Wisconsin’s goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050. These alternatives to new fossil fuel capacity are already being successfully implemented across the country, demonstrating their viability and competitiveness.
If approved, the new methane gas infrastructure proposed by We Energies will continue to harm residents with significant health and financial impacts.
- A report from Healthy Climate Wisconsin and the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that the pollutants from gas power plants are harmful to health and worsen conditions like heart disease and asthma while increasing the risk of premature death. Researchers at PSE Healthy Energy found that health impacts associated with the proposed Oak Creek gas plant would total $92.8 million to $144.8 million annually.
- A recent report from Evergreen Action states that even if the proposed Oak Creek gas plant runs for its full lifespan, each household will pay at least $903 in additional energy costs and up to $1,591 in additional energy costs if gas prices continue to increase due to U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, extreme weather, and supply chain bottlenecks. Recent federal developments are increasing volatility and will likely lead to higher costs.
The PSC can only evaluate these proposals and make a sound decision if they have this comprehensive information. It’s essential that Wisconsin takes a strategic approach to evaluate the energy, water, and air demands that potential new, high-demand energy users will place on our state to ensure costs are not unfairly passed down to struggling families and businesses. For this reason, we continue to encourage the PSC to vote to reject these plans and reaffirm their commitment to Wisconsin’s clean energy future.
To view all public comments on the docket, please click the following links:
