MADISON, Wis. — The following statement was issued today by Maria Chavez, senior energy analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, regarding the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s (PSC) statement on the need for stronger statewide energy planning:
“Wisconsin families shouldn’t be stuck paying billions of dollars for dirty, expensive methane gas plants that may not even be needed. These projects, driven by growing data center demand, threaten to increase electricity bills, worsen air pollution and contribute to devastating climate impacts.
Today’s approval of two new gas plants exposes a serious flaw in Wisconsin’s energy planning process: Developers can secure approval to build these polluting plants without regulators fully considering whether they’re needed or whether cleaner, more affordable alternatives exist. The PSC itself acknowledges that current state law limits its ability to evaluate customer needs and consider public health.
Wisconsin lawmakers must close these regulatory loopholes and give the PSC the discretion to evaluate energy needs, costs, reliability, and climate and health impacts together. We need comprehensive energy planning that puts Wisconsin families and communities first, not a piecemeal process that puts them at risk of paying for unnecessary fossil fuel investments.”
