SHEBOYGAN – said it’s "fully committed" to clean energy as it looks to transition the to natural gas in the next several years. The utility company will not shut down the coal plant by 2025, as previously planned, rather in May it would file a request to convert it in 2028. This decision was motivated by Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s energy grid advancements and TC Energy’s plan to extend a gas pipeline in Wisconsin, possibly within 10 miles of the Edgewater plant.
Alliant Energy spokesperson Cindy Tomlinson said the utility company can leverage the opportunity to keep the plant open and ensure it has enough capacity to provide reliable and cost-effective service to customers. Echoing sentiments from Wisconsin President and Senior Vice President of Operations David de Leon, Tomlinson said: "It's really about pursuing that path that best bolsters that continued reliability, drives affordability and shows our ongoing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Those are the things that we're striving for as we continue to plan and as we continue to deliver the energy that our customers need.
” This transition would help Alliant retain 350 MW of energy capacity and avoid about $60 million in customer costs through 2030 as it works on cleaner energy projects, a news release said. Sheboygan resident Jim Van Akkeren said he can appreciate that natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than coal, but there will still be greenhouse gases emitted, especially throug.
