Home-grown renewable electricity is poised for a big breakout this year. Two solar projects large enough to replace fossil-fuel power plants are making headway, while utilities in Wisconsin have made stronger renewable energy commitments. At the same time an accelerating number of nonprofit organizations, businesses, and citizens are turning to renewable energy for their own use.
Hearings are set this month for the Badger Hollow Solar Farm in Iowa County and the Two Creeks solar project in Manitowoc and Kewaunee Counties. The Public Service Commission will likely decide whether to approve of the two projects in mid-March. The utilities Wisconsin Public Service (based in Green Bay) and Madison Gas & Electric plan to acquire 300 megawatts of generation capacity from these plants, enough to power over 70,000 average Wisconsin households. If the two projects are approved, the utilities will be able to reduce their fossil-fuel emissions while increasing supplies of renewable power in their energy generation mix.
Take action to support the Badger Hollow Solar Farm today!
We expect another wave of large solar power plants to follow soon after the PSC issues decisions on Badger Hollow and Two Creeks.
Wisconsin electric providers are driving this transition to renewable energy through their recently announced plans to scale back carbon emissions.
WI Utility Commitments to Reduce Carbon Emissions and Increase Renewable Energy
UTILITY |
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS |
CURRENT WI RENEWABLES MIX |
STATED GOALS OR RECENT ACTIONS |
WEC (WE Energies and Wisc. Public Service) |
1.1 million + 440,000 |
7% WE7.8% WPS |
80% CO2 reduction by 2050 |
Alliant (WI Power and Light) |
460,000 |
13.3% |
29% renewables by 202480% CO2 reduction by 2050 |
Dairyland Power |
258,000 |
14.4% |
PPAs for 98 MW Wind (2017), 20 MW solar (2016), 80 MW Iowa Wind (2016) |
Xcel Energy |
256,000 |
28% (systemwide) |
80% CO2 reduction by 2030100% CO2 reduction by 2050 |
WPPI Energy |
200,000 |
14.5% |
PPAs for 132 MW wind (2018) and 99 MW solar (2020) |
Madison Gas and Electric |
145,000 |
10.1% |
30% renewables by 203080% CO2 reduction by 2050 |
How can you help accelerate clean energy?Increasingly, businesses and nonprofit organizations are also committing to renewable energy. Solar for Good, the grant program managed by RENEW Wisconsin to support non-profits going solar, announced its most successful round of funding ever in 2018. The program’s Fall 2018 round announced that 36 organizations have been allocated $445,000 in grants which will lead to $4.5 million in solar investment in Wisconsin. At the same time major businesses are committing to clean energy. On January 3, 2019, Advocate Aurora Health committed to 100% renewable energy by 2030 for its 27 hospitals and 500+ outpatient sites in Wisconsin and Illinois.
This tremendous momentum would not be possible without RENEW members and supporters of clean energy from all across Wisconsin. One important thing you can do is to help us ensure the Badger Hollow Solar Farm is approved. A strong showing of public support will help this project, which needs approval by the Public Service Commission.
Please support the Badger Hollow Solar Farm by adding your name as a supporter here.
Happy New Year!