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November 20, 2007
Contact:
Mark Redsten, Executive Director, 608.212.7093 (cell)
COLORADO CLOSINGS POINT THE WAY FOR WISCONSIN'S ENERGY FUTURE
(Madison/WI) A Colorado energy company's decision to close down two coal-fired power plants is the latest in a series of wake-up calls to Wisconsin utilities and regulators. As the state Public Service Commission considers Alliant Energy's proposal to build a high-polluting coal-fired plant in southwestern Wisconsin, other states are choosing cleaner, more reliable energy sources.
Xcel Energy has announced that it will close a pair of coal-fired plants in Colorado in an effort to cut at least 10 percent of its greenhouse-gas emissions by 2017. The plans were outlined in a report Xcel recently filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
"When energy companies and regulators in Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, and other states are getting the message about pollution and global warming, it should inspire regulators and energy companies in Wisconsin," said Mark Redsten, Executive Director of Clean Wisconsin. "Our state should not lag behind in stopping global warming pollution. We must move forward and reject these old-technology coal plants."
in Wisconsin, Alliant Energy is embroiled in controversy over plans to build a coal fired power plant in Cassville, Wisconsin — a facility that would emit 25 percent more global warming pollution than a coal plant recently denied approval in Kansas over concerns about global warming. Nationally, plans for at least 16 coal-fired plants have been stopped in recent months, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"While energy companies like Xcel are closing their dirty coal-fired plants, Alliant Energy is looking for new places and ways to pollute," Redsten said. "It's easy to see why Colorado is booming. Their people and companies know what clean energy policy can mean for the economy and quality of life in their state."
Alliant is scheduled to defend its Cassville plans in a response by the end of the year to concerns raised about the plant by Wisconsin's Public Service Commission.
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and corporations accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: info@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.