The Union of Concerned Scientists, decrying the recent approval of two new gas plants by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, called Friday for changes in statewide energy planning.
On Oct. 15, the PSC conditionally approved applications for the 324-megawatt Foundry Ridge Energy Center Project in the town of Darien in Walworth County and the 1,186-megawatt Red Oak Ridge Energy Center Project in the town of Paris in Kenosha County.
Both plants will help power hyperscale data centers in southeastern Wisconsin.
“Following a thorough review of the evidence in each record and the application of pertinent state law, the Commission granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with conditions for both projects,” the PSC said in a statement.
Maria Chavez, senior energy analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in a statement that 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,” Chavez said.
The Union said the approval of the new gas plants exposes a serious flaw in Wisconsin’s energy planning process.
One flaw, according to the group, is that developers can secure approval to build polluting plants without regulators fully considering whether they’re needed or whether cleaner, more affordable alternatives exist.
The scientists said Wisconsin lawmakers must close 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,” the group said in its statement.
According to the scientists, the PSC itself acknowledges that state law limits its ability to evaluate customer needs and consider public health.
The PSC’s Oct. 15 statement indicates that commissioners are limited in their review capacity and that it’s up to the Wisconsin Legislature to consider whether and how the law should be amended.
“The PSC is a quasi-judicial body that is responsible for independently reviewing an application and the full record of evidence, analyzing and weighing the evidence, and ultimately reaching a decision that complies with state law,” the statement said.
“Unlike most states, utilities in Wisconsin are not required to develop integrated resource plans (IRP) or conduct other long-term planning processes, which would provide greater insight and transparency of generation and capital spending plans.”
