Alliant Energy Cassville Plant is Critical to Wisconsin Energy Goals

Madison…..Alliant Energy’s proposed Cassville electric generation plant will be a major step toward achieving the State’s renewable energy goals, says Senator Dale Schultz. 

Schultz (R-Richland Center) strongly supports Governor Jim Doyle’s “25 by 25” goal to derive 25 percent of

Wisconsin’s energy from renewable sources by the year 2025. 

Support Wisconsin's BioEnergy Future Submit your comments to the the Wisconsin Public Service Commission on Alliant Energy's proposal to build a power plant that burns 20% renewable biomass.  Submit your comments HERE.

"The Cassville plant will burn biomass to generate 20 percent of its energy,

a critical advancement of our collective learning curve on how to use homegrown, renewable biomass on a large scale,” Schultz said. 

Schultz said southwest Wisconsin is poor, with household incomes about two-thirds of Madison area households, but the region is rich in biomass.  

 “The Cassville biomass plan builds on the great resource stewardship of our farmers and landowners,” Schultz said.  “Creating value from waste wood and planting grasses that add habitat for birds support our goals to save family farms and benefit the environment.” 

 “Alliant’s Cassville plant will develop our infrastructure for biomass,” Schultz explained.  “We need landowners to commit acreage long term to produce wood or grow switch grass.  We need to create a market between biomass producers and buyers.  Other businesses are needed to transport, store, and create pellets from biomass materials.  In addition to adding land value and creating jobs, the knowledge gained from the Cassville project will be transferable to other biomass projects in Wisconsin and beyond.”  

Schultz said as technologies to store or reuse carbon from burning coal become feasible they can be installed at the Cassville plant. 

Schultz urges residents who support the benefits of a renewable, bio-energy future to join him by filing a comment with Wisconsin Public Service Commission.  Click the link on the above to file an online comment with the PSC.  Written comments can be mailed to: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, 610 North Whitney Way. P.O. Box 7854, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7854.