Wisconsin's largest utility provider is seeking approval for a new gas plant to help meet growing electricity demand, but a new report argues there are better ways to create a more reliable energy grid.

Data centers are among the many reasons there is added pressure on the nation's power grid. The nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation said it has set off panic, with talk of slowing the pace of coal plant closures and spurring new natural gas plant development.

Sara Baldwin, senior director for electrification at Energy Innovation, hopes decisionmakers do not suddenly abandon the transition to renewables.

"The report points to the fact that wind and solar and battery prices have all come down substantially over the last few years," Baldwin pointed out. "And in many cases, have exceeded the forecast for their cost declines."

Natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, but the authors said quickly pivoting to gas now would result in too many long-term costs. Baldwin acknowledged wind and solar will not do it alone, but using a range of renewables, along with low-risk supplemental sources, aids reliability. The company We Energies said its proposed plant in Kenosha County is part of a long-term vision, including renewables and the end of coal use.

One supplemental energy source the report recommends is better management of the power already being generated, incentivizing people to adjust their energy use during peak times. Researchers recognize it might be hard to motivate enough people to sign on. While there is not a clear consensus about how to move forward, Baldwin noted the news isn't all that bad.

"We are not in an energy emergency," Baldwin said. "We actually have time to do this in a very pragmatic and thoughtful way and avoid some of the fearmongering that we see right now."

She added grid operators and utilities would be well served to help dispel long-standing myths about renewables. Baldwin thinks they should also remain focused on removing barriers to plugging clean energy sources into the grid, noting there is still a backlog of development ready to power up homes and businesses.

As for the We Energies proposal, state regulators could decide its fate in the coming months.


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Supporters of the Campaign for Affordable Power are pressing state lawmakers to pass a series of reform bills aimed at big investor-owned utilities like Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, and San Diego Gas and Electric.

Edison brought in more than $1.6 billion in profit last year and has raised rates 85% over the last decade.

However, the company is still asking the California Public Utilities Commission for another big rate increase after the Los Angeles fires.

Lee Trotman, communications director for the Utility Reform Network in Oakland, said he is against further rate hikes.

"The way to stop these utilities from getting away with these rate increases is by publicly participating," said Trotman. "And you can actually call in during the CPUC vote meetings. You can go online. You have to make yourself heard."

All three utility companies say they need rate increases to cover their costs.

The California Senate Appropriations Committee is holding a hearing today on a reform bill that promotes public financing of electrical infrastructure.

Advocates for the bill argue the current method of bond financing makes projects more expensive.

Trotman said another bill to be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday would restrict how utilities can use money earned from ratepayers.

"They'll use the ratepayers' money for lobbying, promotional advertising," said Trotman, "and other non-energy related expenses out of the monthly energy bills, which so far has been legal."

Other bills being considered by the legislature would require cost savings to be passed on to customers, and ban power shutoffs during wildfire smoke days and industrial accidents.

Nevada clean-energy proponents have launched a new website to help connect Nevadans to energy and cost-saving programs.

One of the nonprofits behind getting SaveEnergyNV.org online was the Nevada Conservation League. Angelyn Tabalba, a consultant for the group, said the free tool aims to streamline the process for folks to find federal, state and utility company programs for which they may qualify.

Some of the Trump administration executive orders have stopped Biden-era funding and investments in clean-energy initiatives, so Tabalba encouraged folks to check out what's still available now.

"These programs are already making a difference for Nevada families, whether those are tax credits to help families install solar and utilize rebates to make their home energy upgrades possible," she said. "The progress is fragile and the same clean-energy investments that are helping lowering costs for families and creating jobs across Nevada are now at risk."

While President Donald Trump has targeted some parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, some Republicans in Congress are urging the administration to leave most of the IRA intact, for the jobs and economic benefits it has brought to local communities.

Tabalba called the SaveEnergyNV website a one-stop shop and said they'll launch a Spanish-language version in the near future.

Will Pregman, loan officer and program manager for the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, said one of the biggest barriers to making energy-efficiency upgrades is the upfront costs - so tax credits and incentives can help reduce that burden. With summer on the horizon, he said, the new tool can help Nevadans ensure their air conditioning systems are ready.

"We see that demand escalate dramatically in the summer as people's old units start breaking down at inopportune times," he said, "and SaveEnergyNV can help Nevadans be proactive and find a solution to their air conditioning issues now, before they have to scramble in an emergency."

Pregman noted that the first step in lowering energy bills is getting a home energy audit, since all homes are different and will have different issues. For now, Nevadans are still able to claim up to $150 toward the cost of an energy audit thanks to tax credits in the IRA.

Over the past 15 years, West Virginians have been shelling out more of their income each month on electricity bills. Now, as lawmakers continue to push a reliance on coal, with support from the Trump administration, advocates say they are worried about residents' bottom line.

According to federal data, U.S. production of coal has steadily dropped over the past two decades.

Emmett Pepper, policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia, said coal is now an expensive choice for producing energy compared with renewable resources. He adds big coal's grip on the state is costing households.

"We have monopolies in West Virginia for our electric utilities, so they should be run in a way that is the most cost effective reducing the bills for West Virginians," he explained.

Residents have seen their average electricity price jump by 90% since the early 2000s, according to Conservation West Virginia. The West Virginia Coal Association argues ramping up coal production will lower consumers' bills.

Last month Appalachian Power, one of the state's largest utilities, asked state regulators to raise rates to make up for operating costs. If approved, residents' bills would increase by around $5 per month. Meanwhile, Pepper noted, grants for energy efficiency and assistance are shrinking, leaving residents with few options.

"The state and federal government could be doing more to help people who are struggling with their electric bills," he continued. "Instead, we've seen a budget come out that actually completely eliminates support that people have had in the past."

More than 60% of Americans support the goal of taking steps for the nation to become carbon neutral by 2050, according to a Pew Research Center survey released last year.