Environmental Advocates Critical of State Utilities' Decision to Delay Retirement of Coal Fired Power Plant

Thursday, December 12th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Environmental advocates are critical of utilities’ decision to delay retirement of a coal fired power plant.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, in a statement, Sierra Club Wisconsin Senior Campaign Coordinator Cassie Steiner expressed outrage that Alliant Energy, Madison Gas and Electric and Wisconsin Public Service “have once again kicked the can” on shutting down the Columbia Energy Center located near Portage in Columbia County. She also expressed exasperation that the utilities are considering converting the plant to run on natural gas.

After previously delaying its closure planned for this year, the utilities last week announced that retirement of the coal plant is being pushed back from 2026 to 2029.

The utilities say doing so “provides the companies time to explore” converting one of the energy center’s units to natural gas before 2029.

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