Campus Power Plant (WCCF)
Friends of Responsible Energy (FORE) continues to advocate smaller, more cost-effective and environmentally benign alternatives to the proposed project. Should our current efforts to reduce noise and air pollution in the vicinity of the plant not succeed, FORE is considering litigation to challenge whether these alternatives have been duly considered. Litigation is costly, estimated at $10,000, and the outcome is not assured. Existing pledges plus funds from FORE's treasury can account for part of the total, but we will also need substantial new commitments. Please consider contributing to FORE's principled efforts by completing and returning the form below.
Air update: Safer and more effective air pollution control technologies have emerged in the last 4 years. For example, SCONOx, unlike MGE's proposed 40 year-old SCR technology, eliminates ammonia from the site and also eliminates emissions of ammonium precipitates in the form of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that especially endangers children's lungs.
Noise update: Projected nighttime vibration and noise from the jet turbines and cooling towers of the proposed plant will be twice as loud for nearby residents as what they currently feel and hear. Prevailing winds are expected to exacerbate the cooling tower noise several-fold for downwind residents.
Financials: Over the life of the plant, the state would pay substantially less for a right-sized, thermally balanced cogeneration facility, similar to those on topnotch campuses across the country. MGE ratepayers, who pay the highest electric rates in Wisconsin and are being asked for a 7.6% rate increase this year, would incur yet another increase as a result of the construction and operation of the MGE project, whose inefficient design has been described as a "pig with lipstick." [1] The principal beneficiaries of the project are MGE’s investors, for whom MGE is requesting an annual return of 12.9%.
Background: MGE made $170,000 in political contributions tied to favorable legislation, including a remarkable legislative budget amendment requiring UW to negotiate with it for this plant. In addition, MGE, assisted by the Chancellor's office, asked DOA's consultant to use fictitious electric and natural gas forecasts and standby electric rates to make it appear that its proposal was as cost-effective as a real cogeneration facility. [2] Because the MGE plant is optimized for electric generation rather than efficient cogeneration, the projected steam costs for heating dormitories, hospitals and federal facilities are substantially higher than they would be from a real cogeneration plant. [3] Furthermore, projected increases in natural gas prices imply that construction and operation of this plant will be feasible only through higher electric rates.
Other news: We are pleased to report that FORE's at-cost offer of compact fluorescents (CFLs) was enthusiastically received. That means that area residents got a great deal on these energy-saving light bulbs and are also doing their share to reduce energy consumption and the need for expensive new power plants.
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Mail with your contribution to: FORE-Madison Treasurer, 2250 Hollister Ave., Madison, WI 53726
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