Green Economy

The mayor of Superior is asking Wisconsin utility regulators to revisit their approval of a roughly $700 million natural gas plant that’s planned to be built in the city. In a letter filed on Jan. 2, Superior Mayor Jim Paine asked the Public Service Commission, or PSC, to conduct a new review of the proposed…

Utilities say a proposed 625-megawatt power plant in Superior will cut carbon emissions by about 1 million tons each year. But it will do so not by using renewable energy, but by burning natural gas. That has made the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center the subject of a yearslong battle, as environmental groups and others…

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…

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…

When Jeff Goodell walked about 15 blocks on a 115-degree day in Phoenix, the longtime climate change writer realized first-hand the dangers of rising global temperatures. By the time he reached the other side of town, he felt lightheaded. His heart pounded. He knew the heat was “an immediate risk to people’s lives.” “I am…

Students in the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District will have a quieter, more environmentally friendly ride to school this year as the district plans to unveil its new fleet of electric buses. The district originally planned to use the buses at the start of the school year, but district Superintendent Ryan Krohn said a delay means…

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…

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation hopes to nearly double the number of publicly-available high speed electric vehicle charging stations around the state with an infusion of federal dollars — but an outdated state law stands in the way. Over the next five years, Wisconsin is slated to receive $78.5 million dollars from the U.S. Department…

As several investor-owned utilities in Wisconsin are seeking to raise customer rates, a consumer watchdog warns the money could fuel profit margins even higher beyond nationwide averages. Tom Content is executive director of the Citizens Utility Board. He recently appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “The Morning Show” to discuss electricity and gas rate hikes proposed…