MILWAUKEE — The following statements were issued today regarding Invenergy planning to build two expensive methane gas plant projects in Wisconsin – the Foundry Ridge gas plant in Darien, Wisconsin (Docket 9835-CE-100) and the Red Oak Ridge gas plant in Paris, Wisconsin (Docket 9837-CE-100) – to sell them to We Energies despite the health, environmental and energy-cost consequences for Wisconsin communities.

Alex Beld, Communications Director, RENEW Wisconsin

“Just as coal plants are a burden on us today, new methane gas plants will become a burden for future generations. When considering projects like Foundry Ridge and Red Oak Ridge Energy Centers, the PSC should weigh the many health and societal risks associated with investing in new fossil fuel energy generation. The PSC should deny any new fossil fuel projects unless they can prove renewables are unable to meet Wisconsin’s energy needs.”

Arieain Bennett, Paris Township Resident

“I am deeply concerned about our small rural community having a voice and the power to stop development that will negatively impact our health, our animals’ health, our land, our water and our air quality. Residents will bear the brunt of these impacts and receive no benefit whatsoever.”

Britnie Remer, Organizing Director, 350 Wisconsin

“Allowing these two methane gas plants to move forward will allow billion-dollar companies to sacrifice Wisconsin communities just to cater to data centers. Our families, small businesses, farmers, neighbors and future generations don’t deserve to be locked into decades more of unnecessary reliance on fossil fuels and carbon emissions that impact our finances, health, environment and well-being. We need solutions that move us forward and prioritize Wisconsinites, not Big Tech.”

  • For an interview with Britnie Remer, contact:

britnie.remer@350wisconsin.org

Cassie Steiner, Senior Campaign Coordinator, Sierra Club Wisconsin

“Building two new very expensive methane gas plants to serve Big Tech’s data centers is a step backward, and Wisconsin can’t afford it. Our communities showed up to testify and made it clear these projects would put their pocketbooks, air, water and health at risk.”

Dr. Andrew Lewandowski, Pediatrician

“The Foundry Ridge and Red Oak Ridge Energy Centers will harm unborn babies, pregnant women, children and people with chronic medical conditions in every Wisconsin county, killing some. Though data centers are likely here to stay, any important technology comes with safety regulations. We expect seatbelts in cars; we expect our electrical outlets to be grounded; and in the 21st century, we should expect that the energy created to fuel a data center comes from clean, renewable sources.”

  • For an interview with Dr. Andrew Lewandowski, DO, contact:

Abby Novinska Lois, abby@healthyclimatewi.org

John Imes, Co-Founder & Director, Wisconsin Environmental Initiative 

“Wisconsin families, farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses should not be forced to shoulder decades of fuel-price volatility, pollution, water impacts and infrastructure costs for gas plants built primarily to serve Big Tech. Instead of approving Foundry Ridge and Red Oak Ridge, the PSC should require large customers to reduce peak demand through battery storage, renewable energy, transmission upgrades, advanced controls, workload shifting and demand response – helping avoid unnecessary infrastructure and long-term financial risk.”

Maria Fernanda Chavez, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists

“Wisconsin’s fragmented regulatory framework isolates decision-making at the expense of customers, restricting the PSC’s ability to consider public concern about the harmful impacts of new fossil gas plants. Utilities are circumventing public needs to give Big Tech the ability to pollute the air without being held accountable. Wisconsin needs community-driven solutions that bolster a cleaner and more affordable energy future. Commissioners and elected officials must prioritize energy policy that puts people above profits.”

  • For an interview with Maria Fernanda Chavez, contact:

Daela Taeoalii-Tipton, dtaeoaliitipton@ucs.org 

Molly Collins, Advocacy Director, American Lung Association

“The American Lung Association supports the transition from fossil fuel-based electricity production to clean, renewable, non-combustion technologies that are more affordable and less harmful to our communities. No community should continue to bear the burden of air pollution levels that harm public health, and Paris has already been a frontline community – we should not ask them to increase their risk just to power data centers.”

  • For an interview with Molly Collins, contact:

molly.collins@lung.org