Central Wisconsin News

Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin's 7th District addressed a letter to Summer Strand, the Chair of the Public Service Commission (PSC). In this communication, he emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing affordable energy production in Wisconsin. Tiffany specifically urged the PSC not to close coal-fired plants prematurely and to ensure reliable baseload power for future competitiveness.

In his letter, Tiffany stated, "If Wisconsin is going to maintain its role as a world-class manufacturing state, we must keep all of our current power plants online and bring new generation online for the future." He highlighted the necessity of stable energy sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear power as essential for supporting developments in artificial intelligence and data centers.

Tiffany expressed concerns about closing coal-fired plants too soon: "As you evaluate the future of Wisconsin’s grid, I urge you to resist pressure to close any coal-fired plants prematurely." He pointed out that such closures pose risks and noted delays in planned shutdowns like that of Columbia Energy Center. According to him, coal-fired plants are vital for providing baseload power and cannot be replaced by intermittent sources such as wind and solar energy.

He further questioned whether Wisconsin would meet growing energy demands or fall behind other states. Reflecting on economic opportunities under federal policies, he asked if the state would capitalize on domestic energy resources or succumb to pressures from climate advocacy groups. "We must make sure we are in a position to win and continue to grow," Tiffany concluded.

The full text of Congressman Tiffany's letter is available for public reading.