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New analysis of public testimony during hearings highlights health, environmental and energy-cost concerns surrounding the proposed Foundry Ridge and Red Oak Ridge plants
MILWAUKEE – Invenergy is planning to build two expensive new methane gas plants to power data centers in Wisconsin, with the goal of selling them to We Energies, despite the health, environmental and energy-cost consequences for Wisconsin communities. The two proposed gas plants in southeastern Wisconsin – the Foundry Ridge project in Darien, Wisconsin (Docket 9835-CE-100) and the Red Oak Ridge project proposal in Paris, Wisconsin (Docket 9837-CE-100) – represent a massive expansion of methane gas infrastructure to serve rapid data center development in Wisconsin.
New analysis of public comments submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC) found that a majority of comments opposed both proposed gas plants. During the PSC hearings, 82% of speakers opposed the Foundry Ridge plant, while 88% opposed the Red Oak Ridge plant. Speakers raised concerns about higher energy costs, air and water pollution, public health risks and the burden the projects would place on nearby communities. Environmental, public health and community groups highlighted the findings during a virtual press briefing today and urged the PSC to deny both proposals.
“Building two new very expensive methane gas plants to serve Big Tech’s data centers is a step backward and Wisconsin can’t afford it,” said Cassie Steiner, senior campaign coordinator at Sierra Club Wisconsin. “Our communities showed up to testify and made it clear these projects would put their pocketbooks, air, water and health at risk.”
Advocates and subject matter experts raised concerns about gaps in Wisconsin’s regulatory review process for gas plants tied to data center development, citing a recent policy brief from the Union of Concerned Scientists. The report details how the current process of approving power plants, which considers the developer’s and utility’s applications separately, creates a loophole that restricts the PSC’s ability to weigh public concern against the plants’ harmful impacts.
“Wisconsin’s fragmented regulatory framework isolates decision-making at the expense of customers, restricting the PSC’s ability to consider public concern about the harmful impacts of new fossil gas plants,” said Maria Fernanda Chavez, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Utilities are circumventing the public need to give Big Tech the ability to pollute the air without being held accountable. Wisconsin needs community-driven solutions that bolster a cleaner and more affordable energy future. Commissioners and elected officials must prioritize energy policy that puts people above profits.”
These proposals are part of an expanding pipeline of gas plants intended to meet the rapidly increasing demand of hyperscale data centers. We Energies is taking advantage of data centers coming to Wisconsin to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure, which worsens our air, harms our health and raises our energy bills, as explored in a new report by Healthy Climate Wisconsin.
Wisconsin needs an integrated resource planning requirement and a strong clean energy standard so rising electricity demand is evaluated comprehensively, and met with the lowest-cost, cleanest clean energy resources.
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ABOUT THE CLEAN ECONOMY COALITION OF WISCONSIN
The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin is a group of climate, energy, environmental justice and conservation organizations, businesses and allies. The Coalition leverages the combined strength of its members to enhance the quality of life for all Wisconsinites by accelerating the state’s transformation to a clean energy economy. We believe that an economy-wide approach to decarbonization will take our state further, faster – with better outcomes for us all. We champion equity-first policies that create jobs for Wisconsin workers, build healthier communities and protect our natural resources. By working together, we advocate for clean energy solutions that work for all of Wisconsin’s diverse cultures, communities and geographies. Learn more at www.cleaneconomywi.com.
ABOUT POWER WISCONSIN FORWARD
The Power Wisconsin Forward campaign is organized on the foundational truth that methane gas infrastructure is bad for our people, planet and pocketbooks. Supported by the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW) and its more than 50 partner organizations, the campaign is focused on educating Wisconsinites and activating change to enable a cleaner energy future for our state that creates jobs, builds energy reliability and saves people money.
