OAK CREEK, Wis.— A proposed new power plant in southeastern Wisconsin could be moving the state one step closer to its clean energy goals.
We Energies plans to shut down its oldest running coal plant. The newer coal plant will be transitioned to a natural gas plant down the road, and another new natural gas plant is planned to be built next to that location.
We Energies said the goal is to have the new plant up and running by 2028.
An Environmental Assessment conducted by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin found that the new plant’s emissions would be 75% lower compared to the coal plant that the company plans to retire.
The current plant would change to natural gas and the new facility would also run on natural gas.
We Energies said the natural gas will only be used when needed, when wind and solar power aren’t in use.
“These natural gas plants we propose would turn on and then ramp down when the sun comes back up, or the wind starts blowing,” We Energies Spokesperson, Brendan Conway said. “We estimate, the proposed plant in Oak Creek that is the focus of this hearing would run about 10 to 20 percent of the time. Really, it would only be there when we most need to serve our customer.”
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin held hearings on Tuesday at the Oak Creek Community center to listen to public comment on the proposed natural gas plant.
Prior to the hearing, protests both for and against gathered outside the community center to have their voices heard.
Dozens of union and trades workers showed up to support the project, saying the job opportunities it would create would benefit local workers.
Mayor of Oak Creek, Dan Bukiewicz, also serves as the President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades council.
Bukiewicz showed up along with dozens of trade members and unions in support of the $1.2 billion project moving forward. He said it would provide between 2,000-5,000 throughout the five-year project. It would make an impact not only on the region, but on workers across the state of Wisconsin.
“What we are here today for is to advocate for this project moves forward, to stabilize our grids.” Bukiewicz said. “Make sure we have a reliable power source. Make sure its done by local people, these are supporting family supporting careers for all these men and women who have gathered here today locally,”
Those against the natural gas plant said their concerns are with the potential rising energy costs and the impact on health issues like asthma.
“I think this is a very strong message from We Energies customer base to say, y’all don’t get to come and build something that is absorbingly expensive without taking serious consideration credibly, evidence-based concerns about what its going to do to people's pocketbooks, to people’s health, and to the environment,” Walnut Way Conservation Corps environmental justice director, Bryan Rogers said.
While the project has the potential to bring in thousands of local jobs, those who oppose the project said it is not worth it in the long run.
“The jobs that are going to be used to build that plant are short term,” Racine Resident, Janet Weyker said. “The life of our planet and future generations are long term. We need to continue to persist fighting for the life of our planet.”
Many have also brought up concerns about this project being built to power the new Microsoft tech facilities in Kenosha. We Energies said while that project will be powered by their grids and these facilities, it’s not the only business or home that will be affected.
“We are building tons of renewable energy and this new kind of quick start natural gas,” Conway said. “It’s for two things, to help reduce emissions and to make the air cleaner, but it’s also to support the massive growth we are seeing across southeastern Wisconsin. Certainly, the Microsoft data center is part of that, but it’s not the only large manufacturing and work site.”
We Energies said their long-term plan would spread out rate payments from customers and they project savings over a 20-year span from this project.
The Public Service Commission meetings will continue throughout the year and We Energies said they hope to have a decision on this project made by the end of the year.
