MILWAUKEE – The following statement was issued today by Power Wisconsin Forward following the complex electric rate application filing by We Energies this week, which is still being reviewed by organizations and members of the public:
The energy demands of data centers shouldn’t take precedence over what makes sense for Wisconsin and its residents. While Power Wisconsin Forward agrees that Microsoft’s pledge to pay its fair share for new infrastructure is needed for the proposed methane gas plants, Wisconsin residents deserve more clarity from We Energies and accountability from the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding this new application.
“To truly protect Wisconsin families from bearing the cost of data center energy demands and to avoid the harmful impacts of gas infrastructure, 21st-century solutions are essential,” said Abby Novinska-Lois, Power Wisconsin Forward coordinator and Executive Director at Healthy Climate Wisconsin. “We Energies’ current electric rate application lacks specific details about the use of clean energy sources or demand response programs, which are more efficient, faster to bring to the grid, and more cost-effective.”
At the very minimum and before a decision is made, the PSC and the general public should be provided with the following information from We Energies:
- The precise timeline for the expected energy needs of new, high-demand energy users.
- The specific amount of expected energy required.
- The expected duration of this energy demand.
The proposal filed with the PSC does not begin to answer those questions. Because of that, the utility still needs to produce an agreement with Microsoft that provides these answers.
“We’re not the first state in the country to face this issue,” said Jennifer Giegerich, Government Relations Director at Wisconsin Conservation Voters. “If Wisconsin had an integrated resource planning process (IRP) like most other states, the PSC would have a streamlined way to process and evaluate these decisions, and a clear way to understand the needs of our energy grids, resulting in more appropriate proposals from utilities.”
We Energies’ new electric rate application should have been the first proposal submitted to the PSC, before they applied for $2.2 billion in methane gas projects intended for data centers. This last-minute application requires a thorough review by the PSC and should delay the timeline of the PSC’s decisions on both the Oak Creek and Paris gas projects, as well as the proposed LNG pipeline. We need to slow down to ensure we make the right decision for Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin needs to take a more comprehensive approach to energy planning – one that considers our current needs and the environmental, financial, and health impacts of our choices,” said Jodi Jean Amble, Deputy Director at RENEW Wisconsin. “Integrated Resource Planning would ensure Wisconsin meets its energy needs, prioritizes clean energy, and includes the diverse perspectives of utilities, regulators, and the community. If AI is the future, it should be powered by the clean energy of the future, not outdated fossil fuels.”
It’s crucial that Wisconsin gets these decisions right – to protect customers and to make it clear that Wisconsin is here to provide innovative clean energy solutions for businesses committed to creating jobs and boosting our economy.
