Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection secretary Rod Nilsestuen and Division of Energy administrator Kimberly Walker will be meeting with local officials and touring Xcel Energy’s Bay Front Power Plant in Ashland on Thursday, April 27. The officials are in town as part of an effort to increase awareness of the role that renewable resources can play in meeting the future energy needs of Wisconsin.
Xcel Energy’s Bay Front Power Plant was the first investor-owned electricity generation facility in the nation to burn wood waste. Since 1979, Bay Front has burned more than 3.75 million tons of wood waste and can generate 42 megawatts – enough electricity for 42,000 homes. With all fuels, the plant’s total capacity is 74 megawatts.
Xcel Energy, Wisconsin’s leading provider of renewable energy, has recently contributed $10,000 to fund a review of current scientific literature on sustainable forestry in Wisconsin. Xcel Energy is partnering with Focus on Energy’s Environmental Research program, which is contributing $45,000, to study the relationship between biomass production and biodiversity.
What: Visit with Secretary Rod Nilsestuen and Administrator Kimberly Walker
When: Thursday, April 27 – 1:15 p.m.
Where: Xcel Energy’s Bay Front Power Plant, U.S. Highway 2, Ashland
