Wisconsin’s Mercury Rule to Become Law

MADISON — Utilities will be required to reduce mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants by 90 percent by 2015 or by the same amount by 2021 if they agree to more stringent standards for other pollutants, after the State Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules failed to object to the measure today.

Feasibility of Alliant Energy’s Biomass Plans Questioned

Utility admits to “uncertainties with the biomass market” MADISON —  After publicly stating its Marshalltown, Iowa coal plant could burn 10 percent biomass, staff for Alliant Energy now question the feasibility of burning the renewable fuel in the recently approved plant according to testimony submitted in front of the Iowa Utilities Board earlier this month.

Great Lakes Compact Sails Through Congress

Focus now shifts to restoring the Midwest’s most valuable natural resource WASHINGTON, D.C. — Less than five months after Wisconsin passed the Great Lakes Compact, the U.S. Congress today officially ratified the measure, a historic agreement between eight states and two Canadian provinces to not divert water outside of the Great Lakes region. “Wisconsin and

Proposal Alternative Would Produce Cleaner Energy at Lower Cost

Making existing power plant more efficient would save ratepayers nearly $1 billion MADISON —  Alliant Energy could save its customers nearly a billion dollars and significantly reduce global warming pollution by converting a company-owned natural gas power plant in Neenah to a more efficient design instead of constructing another coal-fired power plant in Cassville, according to

PSC Staff Slam Alliant’s Proposed Cassville Coal Plant

Proposed plant too expensive, use of renewable fuels uncertain MADISON —  Alliant Energy’s proposed Cassville coal plant would increase electricity bills and might never burn 20 percent biomass according to Public Service Commission (PSC) staff testimony released on Friday. “I believe that a new coal-fired generation unit, given today’s construction costs and current and likely fuel

Great Lakes Compact Introduced in Congress

Momentum builds for implementation of historic agreement MADISON — The Great Lakes Compact moved closer to implementation today when a joint resolution to ratify the agreement was introduced in Congress. Thirteen Great Lakes senators co-sponsored the resolution to ratify the historic agreement between eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces not to divert water

Advertising Campaign Opposing Proposed Coal Plant Launches

Fight over power plant intensifies MADISON —The fight over Alliant Energy’s proposed coal plant in Cassville intensified today when Clean Wisconsin, the state’s largest environmental organization, launched an advertising campaign highlighting the economic and environmental concerns with the plant in response to a series of Alliant advertisements pushing the proposal. “The coal plant Alliant wants

EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service Express Concern over Alliant’s Proposed Coal Plant

Proposal may threaten migratory bird corridor and disturb recently discovered prehistoric site MADISON — Alliant Energy’s proposed Cassville coal plant may harm a sensitive national migratory bird corridor, disturb a recently discovered prehistoric site, and emit high levels of pollution according to comments posted to the Public Service Commission (PSC) Web site last week by