In early 2002, MG &E and UW-Madison, unveiled their joint project, the West Campus Cogeneration Facility (WCCF), to the public. The purpose of this project was to provide power to the campus and to other users in the Madison area. The advantages were listed as the following: locating the power plant at the site where power was needed, providing cleaner power (natural gas instead of coal), supplying the campus chilled water and steam demands, and ensuring backup power for critical research as well as general campus needs. Over a period of time, neighbors, members of the university community, and others identified these problems with the proposed project: an increase in air pollution, added noise, an undesirable impact on Lake Mendota (due to the amount of water the facility would need from the lake), and an unfavorable financial arrangement for the university (and thus, state taxpayers.) The board of the Regent Neighborhood Association, while recognizing that the university needed to provide additional power, considered a 150 megawatt facilityabout three times the universitys current and future needsas inappropriate for a neighborhood location, and thus opposed it as detrimental to the neighborhoods health and quality of life. As various forces lined up to support this project, MG&E and the university agreed to enter into a several agreements, known as memorandum of understanding (MOU), with a group of environmental organizations, with the city of Madison, and with the Regent Neighborhood Association (RNA). Central to the MOU with the RNA is the formation of an Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the neighborhood, the university, and MG&E. The two primary purposes of the committee are to educate and inform the public, and to provide a process for resolving complaints. To address the former purpose, the committee was directed to maintain a web page to include project information, minutes of the committees meetings, and details about concerns brought by the public to the committee. The Public Service Commission approved the project in mid-October, 2003. By that time, the committee had already met twice to begin its work.
A group of concerned neighbors and others formed a separate group, Friends of Responsible Energy (FORE), file a suit on November 6, 2003 naming the state Department of Administration (DOA), as well as the UW Board of Regents (UW), the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as respondents. According to the suit, t he large Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) plant was planned and approved by the state agencies in violation of Wisconsins Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), because the DOA and UW failed to properly evaluate the full range of reasonable alternatives to meet UW Madisons future electric and steam needs.
The Memorandum of Understanding with the University, Dept. of Administration, MG&E and our neighborhood was signed yesterday, June 3rd. This was the result of many hours of effort on the part of the negotiating team and the co-generation plant operators. The team worked hard to protect the interests of the neighborhood and address health and safety issues. They made a conscious effort to protect the ability of FORE (Friends of Responsible Energy) to effectively address noise and other issues during the PSC process. The final document was shaped by your many thoughtful comments, language form the environmental MOU signed previously and reviews by lawyers.
The MOU is only one step in a process to shape the future of the cogeneration plant. We have the opportunity to continue to pursue noise and emissions through the permitting process. An effective effort will require your interest and participation.
A current opportunity exists for those of you who wish to respond to the letter from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin about the completeness ruling of Oct.21, 2002 (see our website). As other opportunities arise, the website will be updated and e-mail messages will be generated. The final copy of the MOU is posted there as well.
I have sent an inquiry to our alders about the current city noise ordinance because some board members were concerned that our noise ordinance was more permissive than many communities. If any one has an interest in this, please let me know.
As president of RNA, I'm committed to serve our entire neighborhood. I appreciate your communications about issues that matter to you and will try to respond in a timely fashion. We have a long history of committee work, which makes our neighborhood strong. Please renew your membership and consider participating in a committee to maximize your effectiveness.
I have included the final copy of the MOU for your perusal. This is also available on our website- http://www.regentneighborhood.org as well as other information.
The quote included in the e-mail was received from Robbie Webber. It reflects my feelings about neighborhood efforts.
"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated individuals working together can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
| Joy Drummond, President, |
| Regent Neighborhood Association |
| 208 Lathrop St. |
| Madison WI 53726-4021 |
| 608-233-3334, Fax 608-233-3488 |
| jmp4joy2003@yahoo.com |
MGE/UW Proposed Project Description
The UW has a Master Plan describing its expected growth.
As part of that Plan, a modest power plant was proposed for a site on the UW West campus on Walnut Street,
to meet UW's campus expansion.
The current UW/MGE proposal is much larger than originally proposed.
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and UW-Madison (UW) are proposing a 150MW, natural gas-fired co-generation plant.
The facility will:
- Cost between $175 million and $195 million.
- Produce electricity, steam heat and chilled water for air-conditioning
- Operate and be maintained by MG&E
The full proposal description can be found on MG&E's Web site.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) Review Process
The PSC reviews the proposal from the cost perspective to see if it makes sense economically for rate-payers.
They also work with the DNR in examining environmental impacts related to legal limits.
(For information about the application status and process, click on the PSC link.)
Neighborhood Concerns Expressed Over Scale & Process
The RNA formed an ad hoc committee to research the proposal.
There are concerns over potential impacts.
The committe negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with MG&E and the UW.
Read the documents and information linked below for specifics.
Other publications available on the subject
Sustainable Energy for Madison (Courtesy of Renew Wisconsin)
For more information on local efforts you can link to
Friends of Responsible Energy (FORE).
Specific proposal information is also available at http://www.mge.com
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