Alternative Energy

Wisconsin is lagging behind some of its neighbors in terms of adoption of solar energy, but advocates say a few policy changes could help turn the tide. A state-by-state map of the United States from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows Wisconsin had the second-fewest solar installations among its neighboring states — trailing only Iowa.…

Wisconsin continued to make progress in its transition to renewable energy in 2023, but environmental advocates say there’s still a long way to go. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, or PSC, estimates that eight utility-scale solar projects will come online in the state by the end of the year, accounting for 639 megawatts of…

A pair of Republican lawmakers are circulating bills that would allow Wisconsin to use federal funds to nearly double the number of publicly available high-speed electric vehicle charging stations around the state. State Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Rep. Nancy VanderMeer, R-Tomah, made the announcement Monday. They say the bills would change state law…

Wisconsin Democrats are proposing a package of bills aimed at addressing climate change, but the plans don’t have buy-in from Republicans who run the state Legislature. The 20 bills focus on infrastructure and jobs, with programs also aimed at bringing in farmers and supporting income communities that research shows are disproportionately affected by extreme weather…

The parent company of We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service announced in an earnings call Tuesday it plans to eliminate coal as an energy source by the end of 2032, three years earlier than it had originally planned. Officials said coal will be used only as a backup fuel source beginning in 2030. Along with…

This year marks the 40th anniversary of a landmark ruling that reaffirmed the 1837 treaty rights of a northern Wisconsin tribe to hunt, fish and gather on ceded territory. In 1983, two brothers from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Fred and Mike Tribble, were arrested for spearfishing outside the boundaries of…

Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands dwell below a Bayfield hilltop orchard where, for a short time this summer, mature apple trees were accompanied by 100 potted poplars. The young poplars glowed bright green as they waited to be purchased. Patrons, scientists and staff at Hauser’s Superior View Farm prophesied the poplars’ future like new…

Several power providers hope to begin construction next spring on a roughly $700 million gas-fired power plant in Superior despite regulatory hurdles and opposition from environmental groups. On Thursday, Minnesota Power signed a letter of intent to enter into a project labor agreement with the Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council as part of…

When construction began on the Badger Hollow solar farm in 2019, busloads of out-of-state workers were being dropped off in Iowa County to build the massive project. But work continues on phase two of Badger Hollow and other solar projects across the state. Solar panels are now being erected by in-state, union labor, said Kent…

Ever wonder how much of Wisconsin’s energy comes from renewables and how that’s changed over time? The state’s utility regulator has a new online tool that makes it easier to find out. The “Wisconsin Energy Statistics” portal provides a snapshot of energy use in Wisconsin, as well as that energy’s economic and environmental impacts. The…