by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co.

We’re now in the final stretch of the regulatory process for our Nelson Dewey expansion project in Cassville, Wis., as we filed our closing arguments recently.

These arguments, or initial brief, highlight the varied benefits the generating facility will bring, such as:

• Jump starting the biofuels economy in Wisconsin,
• Establishing an estimated $50 million dollars annually in economic development from that market,
• Creating much-needed jobs for southwest Wisconsin during the construction and operation of the plant, and
• Increasing the transmission import capability into the state by as much as 600 megawatts.

As I’m sure you’re aware, these are challenging economic times. You can see from the positive aspects listed above that this is the right time for this plant not only for our customers, but for all of Wisconsin.

The Public Service Commission will make its decision about one month from now.

by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co.

From all of us at Alliant Energy, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who came to support the Nelson Dewey expansion project at the Public Service Commission’s public hearings Sept. 29 and 30 in Cassville and Portage.

Your testimonies regarding the jobs the proposed plant will create, the boost to our economy it will provide and the affordable and reliable energy it will supply certainly strengthened our case. Plus the fact that the plant’s use of bio-fuels will make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy is something to be proud of.

I’d especially like to thank Cassville Village President Louis Okey and the residents of Cassville who put up so many signs of support throughout the village. What a nice feeling it was to drive into town and see all the hard work that was put in.

We now anxiously await as the PSC reviews the case, on which it will make a decision by mid-November.

Again, our many thanks.

by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co.

Based on our spectacular turnout at our New Economy Rally a few weeks ago, I’m optimistic our supporters will come out in force at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s (PSCW) public hearings Sept. 29 in Cassville and Sept. 30 in Portage.

This will be the public’s first opportunity to be heard on the issue as the PSCW begins the deliberation process for the Nelson Dewey expansion project. Your support of the proposed plant, which will benefit Wisconsin’s economy, create jobs and provide affordable and reliable energy, is very important.

Here’s the info on the hearings:

Monday, Sept. 29
4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Cassville Elementary School Gymnasium
412 Crawford St.
Cassville, WI

Tuesday, Sept. 30
4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
VFW Post 1707 Hall 215
West Collins St.
Portage, WI

by Bill Johnson, Manager of Biofuels Development, Alliant Energy

It was an amazing Wednesday afternoon in Madison, and bio-fuels supporters had their day in the sun, literally.

Four semi-trucks, each carrying 36 bales of switchgrass, made a few loops around the Capitol at lunchtime. Those in the area got see with their own eyes the enormous amount of switchgrass on each truck needed to power 800 homes for just one day! As you know, we’ve been doing a lot of talking and blogging about the benefits of converting from coal to bio-fuels like switchgrass.

Back to Madison. After the trucks circled the Capitol, they headed to the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall, where supporters of the Nelson Dewey plant expansion—which is slated to burn 20 percent biomass—each took turns explaining how this plant will benefit the state’s economy, business development, job creation, farms and more.

Lots of people are talking about converting our energy sources to renewable fuels, but no one is proposing a conversion of this size in this state like Alliant Energy is.

Barb Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co., spoke about the tremendous opportunity for the state to meet the governor’s objectives for increased use of bio-fuels, reduced emissions and economic development. Then yours truly discussed bio-fuels and how local farmers will stand to benefit economically from the plant.

Following me and Barb were Louis Okey, Village of Cassville President; George Meyer, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation; and about a dozen others.

If you weren’t downtown to see the trucks or by the Alliant Energy Center to watch the rally, hopefully you got a chance to catch it on TV, as all three local stations got footage.

In the end, I think we got our point across to the public about switchgrass—don’t you?

by Steve Bertjens, Wisconsin Natural Resources Conservation Service

Recently, I traveled with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board to visit switchgrass test plots in Grant County and get an up-close look at what will fuel the future. Switchgrass is one biofuel that has the potential to boost Wisconsin’s economy, create a new market for local farmers and lead us to a greener future.

As soon as we arrived at the fields, many of the DNR members were quite impressed by the growth we had in the fields after only one year. In fact, many said they wanted to return to see how much more growth will happen. They shared in my excitement as I explained how switchgrass will help to reduce water, soil and wind erosion of land, and how it’ll provide significant revenue for farmers from a crop that previously had no economic value.

Switchgrass will be used at the proposed Nelson Dewey plant expansion as part of Alliant Energy’s commitment to burning 20 percent biomass. Since biofuels are renewable and don’t emit any CO2, they’re the environmentally friendly choice to meet our energy needs.

While in the fields, I spoke of the diverse prairie plot and suggested that prairies could produce a substantial amount of switchgrass, and that will ultimately be determined by a current study. It takes a lot of biomass to create fuel, so we will need to look in multiple places for our supply. In fact, to burn 20 percent switchgrass at Nelson Dewey, we would need approximately 49,527 acres’ worth!

At the end of the trip, there was an overwhelming response from individuals that they appreciated the site visit and found the tour to be well worth their time. I thought this trip to be a good educational tool because it showed first-hand what switchgrass can do for Wisconsin farmers and our economy. The DNR got a chance to learn more about Alliant Energy’s plans for use of the plots, such as exploring how to reduce trucking and storage costs by using methods such as in-field densification

Between farm fields and prairies, there is a promising amount of switchgrass to power the future. By continuing to work with farmers and others (like the DNR Board), we can ensure the production of switchgrass is sustainable, and we can put some cash back into the hands of hard-working and well-deserving Wisconsin farmers.

by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Company

At Alliant Energy, we’re committed to providing the growing community with affordable, environmentally friendly energy. The Nelson Dewey 3 expansion in Cassville, Wis., is not only a lasting solution to providing consumers with the energy they need, it’s also a great economic opportunity for the state of Wisconsin.

How so? Well, the plant is slated to use biofuels, which are a cleaner burning fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Their use will provide a significant boost for Wisconsin through new jobs and new markets for local farmers and foresters.

Wisconsin has faced some tough times recently with numerous business closings and layoffs; since the beginning of 2008, approximately 11,000 jobs have been lost. That’s why we’re proud to mention that the proposed plant expansion will create thousands of good-paying jobs right here in Wisconsin—at a time when we need them the most.

In addition, local farmers will realize new financial opportunities in biofuels. A recent study shows that this market has the potential to generate $50 million a year in economic development. That’s great news for farmers!

On a grander scope, that’s great news for Wisconsin’s economy, and thus great news for all of us in the Badger State. 

by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co.

Our next bi-monthly newsletter highlighting our Nelson Dewey 3 plant expansion project in Cassville, Wis., is here. Included in this issue are tips on being more “green.”

To view the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

by Kim Zuhlke, Vice President of New Energy Resources, Alliant Energy

How would you like to have your name up in the sky?

That’s what we offered employees of Alliant Energy and residents of Eden, Wis., and Empire, Wis., last week, as all were given the opportunity to sign a blade from one of the wind turbines to be erected at Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in Fond du Lac County.

Everyone in attendance eagerly filled both sides of the 140-foot blade (Alliant Energy employees on Wednesday in Madison and Cedar Ridge neighbors on Saturday in Eden) and then enjoyed some refreshments. The prospect of wind providing Wisconsin with energy without producing greenhouse gas emissions is something that all of us look forward to.

Along with being environmentally friendly, wind is one of the least costly ways to produce renewable energy, averaging approximately 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, with new technology constantly reducing the cost to produce electricity from wind.

Wind turbines will benefit the entire economy of Fond du Lac County as well. The shared revenue will be split among the communities of Eden and Empire, as well as Fond du Lac County as a whole, and could add up to $400,000 per year.  

We know that wind alone cannot meet the growing energy needs of our customers. That is why our balanced energy plan includes the proposed expansion of our Nelson Dewey facility in Cassville, Wis.

However, there’s no question that we at Alliant Energy believe strongly in wind power. We are investing more than $1 billion in new wind farms, as my colleagues have mentioned in previous blog entries, and based on the popularity of these blade signing events, we just may have to have more in the future.    

by Barbara Swan, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light Co.

We are constantly striving to be good environmental stewards at Alliant Energy. Decreasing the amount of greenhouse gases that are produced is a major step forward on the path to a greener future.

Alliant Energy recently unveiled aggressive plans to offset carbon dioxide emissions related to the proposed Nelson Dewey plant expansion in Cassville, Wisconsin. First, we propose doubling the amount of biomass such as switchgrass, corn stover or waste wood that the plant would burn from 10 to 20 percent. The use of these renewable fuels is a great step down the path and will eventually offset carbon emissions by 524,000 tons a year, not to mention create new markets for area farmers and foresters.

Another significant step we are proposing is the closing of our oldest coal plant in Sheboygan. The closing will eliminate more than 710,000 tons of CO2 every year

You can’t talk about a greener future without including wind energy. As we’ve mentioned in previous blog entries, Alliant Energy is investing more than $1 billion in new wind farms. The Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in Fond du Lac County, when combined with other planned wind farms to serve Wisconsin customers, is projected to offset 1.7 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

Finally, Alliant Energy is reducing carbon emissions through our planned energy efficiency programs, such as Shared Savings. Through this increased focus on reducing energy consumption, the annual decrease of emissions would be more than 789,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

These are exciting times for Alliant Energy and its customers as we look to be innovative and utilize new technologies, create new agricultural markets, supply affordable electricity and protect the environment all at the same time.  Help us along the path to a greener future.

by Kathy Lipp, Chief Environmental Officer, Alliant Energy

My job at Alliant Energy is to literally protect the environment. I make sure our energy services are done in the best, most responsible way from an environmental perspective. As a company, we are striving to reduce the impacts that we have on the air, land and water resources that we use in the generation of electricity.

In addition, Alliant Energy is committed to developing more wind power, expanding our use of renewable fuels such as switchgrass, corn stover and waste wood and implementing new technology at future and existing plants, such as Nelson Dewey 3 in Cassville, Wis.

On the topic of wind power, Alliant Energy is investing more than a billion dollars in wind projects in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, with more being considered. Our 41-turbine Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in Fond du Lac County will offset as much as 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, 3,500 tons of nitrogen oxides, 6,000 tons of sulfur dioxides and 50 pounds of mercury in 20 years of operation compared to what standard fossil fuel generation would produce.

As I’m sure you realize, wind doesn’t blow all the time. That’s why we still need generation plants like Nelson Dewey 3, because they are the least-cost, most reliable way to meet electricity demands. Thus, pursuing a combination of both wind power and modern flexible fuels plants, like Alliant Energy is doing, will lead us to a path to a greener future.