FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 4, 2020
Contact: Senator Robert Cowles: (608) 266-0484
Cowles Applauds WEC’s Efficiency, Sustainability and Growth Plan
GREEN BAY– Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay), Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, released the following statement on this week’s announcement by WEC Energy Group that establishes a target to achieve a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 as part of their ‘Efficiency, Sustainability and Growth’ (ESG) Progress Plan:
“Not long ago, generation from renewables was just a way to diversify an energy portfolio by creating cleaner energy, but it wasn’t economically competitive. In the past decade, we’ve seen major shifts and technology strides that now allow renewable energy generation to outcompete fossil fuels in the open market. This makes the transition to clean energy not only the ideal choice for our communities and environment, but the choice that provides the most benefits to Wisconsin ratepayers and utilities.
“WEC Energy Group, including Wisconsin Public Service and We Energies which both serve portions of the 2nd Senate District, has long been committed to providing our region with reliable and affordable power. That mentality has now translated to this week's announcement of their ‘ESG’ Progress Plan. By retiring less efficient fossil fuel plants and investing in low cost renewables and low emission natural gas, they’ve set an ambitious yet achievable goal to substantially reduce emissions in the next ten-years.
“As WEC expands their commitment to lower carbon emissions through increased renewable energy generation, our communities will not only benefit through more construction jobs, cleaner air, and more revenue for landowners and local governments, but ratepayers will continue to have reliable, affordable power for their homes and businesses. Setting our state on a path towards stronger energy diversity and security with a cleaner and more robust energy portfolio requires a lot of commitments and even more steps, but this week’s announcement is another significant building block towards a better energy future for Wisconsin.”
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