Alliant proposes new power plant

Madison-based Alliant Energy Corp. is proposing building a new, natural gas-fired power plant in Beloit that could cost about $750 million.

Alliant is touting the new plant as a cleaner alternative to the coal-burning facilities in Cassville and Sheboygan the company will be shutting down. Alliant has proposed a power plant that would generate power from a combination of fossil fuels and solar energy, using a $9 million, 2-megawatt solar facility it would build nearby.

With Wisconsin Public Service also reportedly interested in building its own $517 million gas-fueled plant in Kaukauna, the watchdog group Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin has already begun arguing Wisconsin has more fossil-fuel plants than it needs.