Solar energy will account for 5% of UW’s electricity use
The University of Wisconsin–Madison plans on purchasing half of the energy produced by the Madison Gas and Electric solar array in Fitchburg.
Energy
UW wins $2.5 million for tackling plastic waste
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the University of Wisconsin–Madison funding of $2.5 million for a plastics recycling research and development project as part of the DOE’s Plastics Innovation Challenge.
Cottage Grove chemical plant to pay $480,500 for EPA violations
Hydrite Chemical Co. exceeded its hazardous air pollution permit limits and has agreed to pay a $480,500 fine for violations at a plant in Cottage Grove.
Report: Madison lags in energy efforts
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard, which analyzed the efforts of 100 major U.S. cities to make buildings and transportation more energy efficient and scale up the use of renewable energy, has ranked Madison 64th out of the 100 cities that were studied.
Environmental group rejects utility rate freeze
The Sierra Club says a proposed MGE rate freeze will create future costs for ratepayers.
MGE earns approval of $31.7 million Fitchburg solar project
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has authorized a 20-megawatt solar farm from Madison Gas and Electric in Fitchburg and will allow the utility to expand a program to sell clean energy to industrial and governmental customers,.
Utility shutoff ban extended until April
Wisconsin Public Service Commission regulators have extended a ban on utility disconnections through April 15 for customers who fall behind on their bills.
Madison College adds to solar energy system
With the addition of two new solar photovoltaic projects at Madison College’s Fort Atkinson and Reedsburg campuses, the college is expected to save the district about $30,000 a year in utility costs by producing more than 310,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Madison utility proposes electric rate freeze, natural gas hike
Madison Gas and Electric has filed an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for a one-year freeze in electric service rates while asking for a 4% rate hike for natural gas, according to a report from the Wisconsin State…
Alliant rate freeze criticized by environmental groups
Wisconsin regulators have approved a plan from Alliant Energy to freeze electricity and natural gas rates next year, but environmental groups fear the plan could be setting up a future rate hike for the company.
Panel rules that utilities can intervene in power line case
Three utility companies — American Transmission Co., Dairyland Power Cooperative, and ITC Midwest — will be allowed to intervene in a legal challenge to their plans to build the $492 million Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line through southwestern Wisconsin.
MGE flips the switch on Middleton solar field
The array has 17,000 panels over 21 acres and serves Shared Solar, the city of Middleton, and the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.
Regulator approved projects, then sought job as utility CEO
Mike Huebsch, a Public Service Commission (PSC) regulator, approved over $1 million in two projects for Dairyland Power Cooperative and then applied to serve as CEO of the utility months later.
Promega reaches sustainability goals for 2020 early
Promega Corp. has surpassed all its environmental improvement goals set for the end of 2020.
Thousands could lose power if disconnections are allowed
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and a handful of political leaders and community organizations are calling for state regulators and utilities to halt disconnections for tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents that are scheduled for Friday.
Alliant accelerates plans for carbon-neutral electricity
Madison-based Alliant Energy has stepped up plans to reach net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from its electricity generation by 2040 instead of 2050 as originally planned.
Former public service commissioner to lead Wisconsin Water Alliance
Mike Huebsch, a former Republican lawmaker who in 2015 led the Public Service Commission, will now lead Wisconsin Water Alliance, a group that has fought against water regulation.
$28.3M in fuel savings to be refunded to utility customers
The Public Service Commission ordered three Wisconsin utilities to refund ratepayers $28.3 million in fuel savings from 2019.
Tariffs delay start date of 150-megawatt solar farm
Pending tariffs on imported solar panels could delay Wisconsin’s first large-scale solar farm for up to a year.
Small but standing tall
Placing a spotlight on successful small businesses, the Dane County Small Business Awards have honored the economic and civic contributions of these vital employers for nearly four decades.
