Contact: Jeff Lyon
Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Director of Governmental Relations
608-828-5713
Today, Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission has made a short-sighted and economically-destructive decision by denying the construction of a state-of-the-art flexible fuel plant that would have been a benefit to Wisconsin’s environment, energy supply and overall economy.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation saw many benefits with the Alliant Energy-Wisconsin Power and Light Company’s proposal to construct a new baseload generating station in the Grant County community of Cassville.
Rather than depending solely on coal, this innovative project called for achieving 20 percent of the plant’s energy needs by burning biomass such as switch grass, waste wood and leftover cornstalks. All of these inputs can be harvested locally in southwestern Wisconsin. The Cassville plant would have jumpstarted a biomass industry in Wisconsin and provided a template for other companies to follow. Providing new business opportunities for the citizens involved in the production, aggregation, transportation and processing of renewable resource fuels would help create an economic stimulus at a time when our state needs it.
PSC Commissioners have foolishly wasted an opportunity to site a power plant along the state’s western border, where it could have strategically drawn power from the West on the nation’s electrical grid system.
Wisconsin’s Governor Doyle has been extremely of supportive of renewable energy initiatives, including the 25×25 proposal, creation of the state Office of Energy Independence, and leading the effort to receive $125 million bioenergy grant for the UW-Madison. The PSC’s decision comes at a time when our state says it is for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by producing power with the resources found within our borders. Therefore, I find it astounding that three state regulators would now undercut that mission by denying a business from taking a bold step in that direction.
Unfortunately this project was a target for environmentalist groups who misleadingly suggested the key to our state’s energy problems is to expand the use of natural gas. In a year when record natural gas prices have sent the prices of commercial fertilizers soaring, their approach could not be more misguided. Simply put, a greater reliance on natural gas will result in a hidden tax on all Wisconsinites via higher food prices.
I also find it troubling that one of the PSC Commissioners would chose to use this flimsy natural gas argument (that came straight from an environmental activist’s talking points) to justify denial of this vitally important project.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau still believes that all businesses, including farms, require reliable, affordable energy to remain competitive in an increasingly global market. Obviously our interlinked economy and energy supply is high on the minds of all Wisconsinites. Therefore, the Farm Bureau calls upon Governor Jim Doyle and the Wisconsin Legislature to correct this matter by overturning today’s most inappropriate action by the PSC.
