MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) today announced that all 118 Wisconsin electric providers have met their renewable portfolio standards for 2006, 49 providers have exceeded the requirements for the year, and most are well on their way to meeting the goals outlined for 2010.
One key provision in 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 is the renewable portfolio standard, requiring Wisconsin retail electric providers to produce 10% of their electricity from renewable resources by the year 2015. For the years leading to 2015, Wisconsin utilities are required to report their progress in meeting the renewable milestones to the PSC. This year, Wisconsin utilities have generated 110% of the 2006 requirement and as a result have over 230,000 renewable energy credits to use in the future.
“These reports clearly demonstrate that Wisconsin is on target and has made great progress in meeting the state’s renewable energy goals and becoming energy independent,” said Chairperson Dan Ebert. “I commend the state’s electric utilities for their commitment to meeting Act 141 requirements and am especially impressed with those who have exceeded this year’s milestone. I encourage the utilities to continue their efforts and look forward to reviewing more proposed renewable projects in the future.”
“I am pleased with the progress Wisconsin utilities have made in increasing the use of renewable energy resources and look forward to new projects coming online,” said Commissioner Mark Meyer. “I am especially proud that Wisconsin has led the Midwest in adopting M-RETS, a renewable energy generation tracking system, which will help all 118 electric providers keep track of their renewable energy credits in complying with Act 141.”
Currently, Wisconsin utilities generate about four percent of the state’s electricity from renewable resources – just under half of the requirements for the year 2015. In the past year, the PSC has approved several projects which will significantly increase renewable generation in the state, leading Wisconsin down the path of energy independence.
Specific renewable energy projects that have been approved by the Commission and are expected to be completed soon include:
· Forward Wind Energy’s 66 turbine, 98 megawatt wind farm in Fond du Lac County, expected to be completed in 2008.
· Blue Sky Green Field – We Energies’ 88 turbine, 200 megawatt wind farm in Fond du Lac County, expected to be completed in 2008.
· Cedar Ridge Wind Farm – Alliant Energy’s 41 turbine, 98 megawatt wind farm in Fond du Lac County, expected to be completed in 2008.
· Top of Iowa – Madison Gas and Electric’s 18 turbine, 30 megawatt wind farm in Iowa, expected to be completed by early next year.
Documents associated with this case, including a chart of the 118 electric providers’ reporting data, can be viewed on the PSC’s Electronic Regulatory Filing System at http://psc.wi.gov. Type case number 5-GF-163 into the boxes provided on the PSC homepage, or click on the Electronic Regulatory Filing System button. For more information about M-RETS, please visit the PSC’s website at: http://psc.wi.gov/aboutus/initiatives/mrets.htm.
