Contact: Don Wichert 608 395-9720, Ron Wolfe 608 831-8757, Beth Esser 608 239-1353
MADISON – MGE Shareholders for Clean Energy (SCE), a grassroots shareholder group, filed a resolution that calls for Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) to lead in the transition to electrified transportation. The resolution is included in MGE’s 2017 Proxy Statement and votes will be tallied on May 16th at MGE’s annual shareholder meeting in Middleton, WI.
The shareholders believe MGE has tremendous potential to jump start this coming technological revolution, and to replace polluting energy with clean renewable power. The resolution points to transportation as an emerging market and calls on MGE to work with local partners and national experts to develop a road map for this new value prospect.
“Electric transportation is much more efficient, cleaner and less expensive to operate,” said Don Wichert, an energy engineer and MGE shareholder. “MGE has a clear opportunity to show leadership by assembling an expert team to evaluate the technologies and policies to drive the next energy revolution. Electrification of mass transit vehicles, trucks, company fleets, and passenger cars will be a major new growth area for MGE and their shareholders while benefiting our community,” Wichert continued.
MGE has shown interest in electric vehicles, but SCE believes the corporation will benefit by moving much faster and leading implementation on these technologies in our community. “MGE can make the Madison area a hub for this new clean technology”, said Beth Esser, a shareholder living in Monona, WI. “In addition, using clean renewable energy will have immediate positive health impacts by reducing pollution from fossil fuels,” the mother of two young children said. “The resolution builds on recent clean energy initiatives by the City of Madison and Dane County” she said.
SCE urges all MGE shareholders to vote for the electrification of transportation proxy resolution, which MGE has sent to all shareholders. The group believes that by following the recommendations in the resolution, MGE has an opportunity to increase demand for clean energy generation and storage, which the company can supply.
SCE withdrew a second resolution asking MGE to propose a substantial renewable energy project to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin after MGE announced plans for the 66 megawatt Saratoga wind farm.
