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Milwaukee Utility Agrees to Move Power Plant Beyond Coal
Case Updates:
May 4, 2011
On May 4, in a clean air victory for Wisconsin, We Energies announced plans to stop burning coal and switch to natural gas at its coal-fired power plant in Milwaukee. The Valley coal plant is the oldest plant owned by We Energies, and lacks modern pollution controls needed to reduce emissions linked to soot, smog and respiratory health problems.
The Milwaukee utility has been under pressure to address air pollution from the Valley coal plant, located just south of downtown in the Menomonee River Valley. To comply with new pollution standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, We Energies has been studying whether to convert the Valley plant to burn natural gas or retrofit the plant in order to continue burning coal. For years, Sierra Club has worked with a consortium of groups, known as the Cleaner Valley Coalition, to urge the utility to clean up the plant. In March 2011, Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin challenged the facility’s air pollution permit, arguing that the permit allowed the plant to continue operating without modern pollution controls and did not do enough to protect public health.
We Energies plans to start the conversion process with the state Public Service Commission in the second half of this year.
Details and Documents:
We Energies announces plans to convert Valley Plant to natural gas
May 5, 2011, Cleaner Valley Coalition Press Release
Cleaner Valley Coalition Supports Efforts to Clean Up Valley Coal Plant
March 31, 2011, Cleaner Valley Coalition Press Release
News Articles:
We Energies moves toward natural gas instead of coal for Milwaukee plant
May 5, 2011 by Thomas Content, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Environmental groups challenge Valley plant's air pollution permit
March 31, 2011 by Thomas Content, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
More Info:
See other "Retiring Old Coal" cases.