MGE looks to make controversial gas plant purchase

Madison Gas and Electric aims to purchase up to 50 megawatts of capacity from a natural gas plant in Beloit, which the company says is needed to replace a coal-fired plant slated for early retirement, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The company says the step, along with other investments in clean energy sources, will allow it to cut 80% of its baseline carbon emissions by the end of this decade. Environmentalists say new investments in fossil fuels are not in line with accepted steps needed to mitigate the effects of climate change.