This week, Midwest Environmental Advocates filed a request to appear before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin on behalf of environmental and public health groups opposed to the construction of a new gas-fired power plant in Beloit.
The PSC is currently considering an application submitted by Wisconsin Power & Light (WPL)—a subsidiary of Alliant Energy—to construct and operate the “Riverside Enhancement Project,” at Alliant’s Riverside Energy Center in Beloit.
MEA filed the request on behalf of Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Wisconsin EcoLatinos, Good Trouble Beloit, and League of Women Voters of Beloit.
The four organizations are members of the newly formed Stateline Clean Air Coalition, which raises awareness about air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for reductions in emissions to protect public health.
Pollution from existing power plants has made Beloit’s air quality among the worst in the nation. The plan to build new fossil fuel infrastructure would only cause further harm to the Beloit community by making air pollution even worse, exacerbating health issues such as asthma and heart disease, and increasing the overall energy burden on low-income Beloit residents.
The project would also lock us into decades of fossil fuel use at a time when climate scientists warn we must do all we can to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
MEA looks forward to appearing before the Public Service Commission with our clients to provide more information on the harmful impacts of this proposal.
