Email This Story
Print This StoryRelated To Story
|
Doyle Says State Should Stop Using Coal For Power Plants
Study: Officials Examine Options For Heating, Cooling Building
UPDATED: 4:28 pm CDT August 2,
2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle said that the state should lead by example and move away from using coal at state-owned power plants in Madison.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportDoyle said on Friday the state must lower greenhouse gas emissions and encourage new alternative energy sources.The governor's comments come after a global warming task force he created called for dramatically cutting greenhouse gas emissions.A study released on Friday looked at 13 options for the three existing state-owned heating plants in Madison. This includes the Charter Street Heating Plant, the Walnut Street Heating Plant and the Capitol Heat and Power Plant.State and University of Wisconsin officials are examining the options to determine which are the best for heating and cooling buildings.Supporters said this initiative means more than just clean air."Moving away from coal is going to reduce global warming pollution and help us fulfill the commitments that we've made to cut global warming pollution," said Jennifer Feyerherm of the Sierra Club. "Relying on local fuels is going to enhance the Dane County economy so rather than trucking money out of the state to buy coal and bring its pollution in, were going to be invigorating the local economy."The existing plants currently power most of Madison's state agencies and University of Wisconsin buildings.The study was part of a deal reached in a settlement last year in a lawsuit that uncovered pollution violations at a university power plant.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportDoyle said on Friday the state must lower greenhouse gas emissions and encourage new alternative energy sources.The governor's comments come after a global warming task force he created called for dramatically cutting greenhouse gas emissions.A study released on Friday looked at 13 options for the three existing state-owned heating plants in Madison. This includes the Charter Street Heating Plant, the Walnut Street Heating Plant and the Capitol Heat and Power Plant.State and University of Wisconsin officials are examining the options to determine which are the best for heating and cooling buildings.Supporters said this initiative means more than just clean air."Moving away from coal is going to reduce global warming pollution and help us fulfill the commitments that we've made to cut global warming pollution," said Jennifer Feyerherm of the Sierra Club. "Relying on local fuels is going to enhance the Dane County economy so rather than trucking money out of the state to buy coal and bring its pollution in, were going to be invigorating the local economy."The existing plants currently power most of Madison's state agencies and University of Wisconsin buildings.The study was part of a deal reached in a settlement last year in a lawsuit that uncovered pollution violations at a university power plant.
Previous Stories:
- June 16, 2008: Cost For Proposed Coal Plant Up 50 Percent From Initial Estimate
- June 12, 2008: Utility Proposes Green Efforts If New Plant Is Approved
- March 19, 2008: Doyle Touts Plan To Slash Mercury Emissions
- November 26, 2007: State Will Reduce Coal Use At Power Plant Under Settlement
- June 1, 2007: DNR Cites UW-Madison Power Plant With More Violations
- May 16, 2007: UW Chancellor Says He's 'Irritated' By Coal Runoff, Promises Fix
- May 3, 2007: Sierra Club Sues UW Over Coal-Fired Power Plant
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
