The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has approved We Energies’ plan to build two new natural gas power plants in southeastern Wisconsin, totaling approximately $1.5 billion.

The larger facility in Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, will replace aging coal units at the South Oak Creek power plant. Two coal units were retired last year, with the remaining scheduled to shut down this year. The project is estimated to cost over $1.2 billion.

A second plant in Paris, Kenosha County, is planned to complement an existing peaker plant and is projected to cost more than $270 million. Construction on both projects is expected to start this year.

The PSC noted that these plants are essential to meet rising energy demand driven by industrial growth and a surge in power-hungry data centers. PSC Commissioners Marcus Hawkins and Kristy Nieto emphasized the need for reliable power to support the grid and industrial expansion.

The projects will add a combined 1,228 megawatts of capacity, part of We Energies’ broader plan to develop 4,300 megawatts of clean energy.

Environmental groups and local leaders criticized the approval, citing concerns about continued reliance on fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, and health impacts. According to a PSC environmental report, the Oak Creek plant would emit about 1.3 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, though less than the coal units it replaces. The Paris plant is expected to emit around 590,000 tons annually.

PSC Chair Summer Strand said alternatives such as solar and wind were not currently feasible or cost-effective to meet immediate demand.

Source: wpr.org