Madison Gas and Electric, Alliant Energy and Wisconsin Public Service Plans to Retire Coal-Fired Columbia Energy Center Near Portage, Wisconsin
February 02, 2021 at 09:09 am EST
Share
Madison Gas and Electric, Alliant Energy and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) announced their plans to retire the approximately 1,100-megawatt (MW) coal-fired Columbia Energy Center near Portage, Wis. The plan represents another step in MGE's ongoing transition toward greater use of cleaner energy sources and deep carbon reductions. In May 2019, MGE was one of the first utilities in the nation to commit to a goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. MGE expects to achieve carbon reductions of 65% by 2030. MGE is a minority owner of the plant, which is co-owned by Alliant Energy and WPS. Alliant Energy operates the plant. Together, the co-owners intend to retire Unit 1 by the end of 2023 and Unit 2 by the end of 2024.
MGE Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company. The Company's segments include Regulated electric utility operations; Regulated gas utility operations; Nonregulated energy operations, and Transmission investments. The Regulated electric utility operations segment is engaged in generating, purchasing, and distributing electricity through Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE). The Regulated gas utility operations segment is engaged in purchasing and distributing natural gas through MGE. The Nonregulated energy operations segment owns and leases electric generating capacity that assists MGE through MGE Energy's wholly owned subsidiaries MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus. The Transmission investments segment includes the investment in American Transmission Company LLC, which is engaged in the business of providing electric transmission services in Wisconsin, and ATC Holdco LLC, which facilitate out-of-state electric transmission development and investments.