Alliant Energy plans $515M in solar farms to reach 1 gig goal
Alliant Energy is planning six projects to add 414 megawatts to the company’s grid.
Energy
MGE, WPS seeking approval of wind farm project
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in partnership with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), is seeking approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for the 92-megawatt, 12,000-acre, 28-turbine Red Barn Wind Farm project.
MGE seeks approval for $446 million solar and battery project
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in partnership with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, is seeking approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to purchase solar energy and battery storage from the Darien Solar Energy Center, which will be built in the Town of Bradford in Rock County and the Town of Darien in Walworth County.
PSC votes to explore path to zero carbon
Wisconsin regulators voted 2–1 to open a “Roadmap to Zero Carbon” investigation.
After hacking in Florida, DNR warns water security updates are necessary
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has cautioned the 611 municipal water systems in the state to secure the computerized control systems of water system monitoring.
Middleton waste-to-energy effort launched
EnTech Solutions and Northern Biogas LLC have formed a joint venture to acquire an active biogas facility in the town of Springfield.
Natural gas tax credit extended through 2021
As part of the combined omnibus spending and COVID-19 stimulus package approved by Congress in late December, the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit (AFTC) and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit have been extended through Dec. 31, 2021.
PSC to revise rules for customer-owned energy sources
Outdated rules currently govern the ability for businesses and homeowners to generate their own electricity, but Wisconsin regulators plan to change that.
MGE applies to partner with city, MMSD on solar project
If approved, a partnership between Madison Gas and Electric, the city of Madison, and the Madison Metropolitan School District will build an 8-megawatt solar array in Madison.
Alliant Energy to forgive up to $5 million in past-due balances
State energy regulators have approved Alliant Energy’s plans to forgive up to $5 million in unpaid utility bills and make up for the cost with a future rate increase.
Ethanol supply critical to Wisconsin dry ice production for vaccine shipments
The producers of dry ice in the state are ready to ramp up production for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, but supply will hinge on the availability of ethanol.
Over objections, regulators approve electricity rate freeze, gas increase
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission unanimously approved a one-year electricity rate freeze and a 4.1% gas increase for Madison Gas and Electric customers.
County approves major solar farm project
The Dane County Board has approved a major solar farm that would allow the county to move to all renewable energy.
Grants enable community organizations to install solar
MadiSUN Backyard Solar grants, a city of Madison grant program, is allowing four Madison nonprofit organizations to install solar arrays.
$7 million in energy innovation grants seeking applications
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is seeking businesses, schools, governments, and other organizations in Wisconsin to apply for $7 million in state funding for energy-related projects.
Renewable energy goal within reach with new project
A new solar field in the town of Cottage Grove will help Dane County on its way to 100% renewable energy.
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.
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.
