Legal Victories

Highland Wind Farm

A victory for wind energy, 2012-’13

When Emerging Energies applied to the PSC for a permit to construct Highland Wind in St. Croix County, it faced much local controversy, which continued into the proceeding at the PSC. A top concern of local opponents was noise, so Clean Wisconsin entered the case to offer evidence regarding the project’s noise impacts, retaining a well-respected acoustic engineer with decades of experience siting wind projects and monitoring sound emissions post-construction to do the work. >>Read more

Van Loon Wildlife Area & CapX2020

Proving the value of wetlands, 2012

By improving water quality, reducing flooding, providing critical habitat for wildlife and enhancing the state’s recreation economy, wetlands are incredibly important, yet have been historically undervalued. The routes suggested in a 2012 proposal for a high-voltage power line provided an important opportunity to demonstrate the importance of wetlands. >>Read more

Bayfront Biomass

Managing natural resources for bioenergy, 2009

When Northern States Power Company  proposed a biomass gasifier at its Ashland power plant, using woody biomass as fuel, Clean Wisconsin wanted to ensure a high bar was set for natural resource use. While Clean Wisconsin has supported the development of cellulosic biomass for energy generation, in this particular case, we had concerns about forest sustainability and the net carbon impacts of burning trees for fuel. >>Read more

Stopping the Cassville Coal Plant

2008

When Alliant Energy proposed to construct a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant on in Cassville on the shores of the Mississippi River in 2008, Clean Wisconsin went to work to prevent the construction of yet another unnecessary coal plant and curb the rising costs of climate change. >>Read more

Pulliam Air Permit Lawsuit

2006

Core to Clean Wisconsin’s mission is the belief that everyone deserves clean air. When the organization’s legal research revealed that Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) had violated various aspects of air permit for it’s Pulliam power plant in Green Bay, Clean Wisconsin took legal action. >>Read more

Elm Road Coal Plant

2004-’08

As part of its Power the Future generation expansion project, We Energies proposed to construct two new coal boilers adjacent to its existing Oak Creek power plant, using a technology that was no longer allowed for new facilities under the Clean Water Act (CWA). While We Energies maintained that the new coal units were not subject to CWA rules for new facilities, Clean Wisconsin challenged this and the water-discharge permit for the new facility. >>Read more