Final power plant hearing scheduled

UW–Madison is hosting a final public hearing on a proposed campus power plant before the university submits a final recommendation to the Wisconsin Department of Administration on how to proceed with plant construction.

The meeting is scheduled from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Monday, April 28 at the Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave. The hearing will be held in Waisman Auditorium, on the ground floor of the west wing of the building.

Madison Gas and Electric, in partnership with UW–Madison and the state, wants to build the facility at the 600 block of Walnut Street, adjacent to the Walnut Street heating plant. The natural gas-fired cogeneration facility, which would produce 150-megawatts of electricity, steam heat and chilled-water air-conditioning, would be one of the cleanest-burning power plants in the state.

DOA has also analyzed two alternative options, including a 45-megawatt facility owned and operated by the state and university and a heating plant expansion with no electric generating capacity.

The university’s recommendation on which option to pursue, along with a summary of public comments, will be sent to DOA no later than May 1. DOA then will make its recommendation to the legislature.

In addition to gaining approval for state funding, the project must also gain approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

The PSCW has issued a draft environmental impact statement for the project, which evaluates the facility’s impact on the environment. The statement is currently the subject of a public comment period that ends April 25, after which time the commission will review comments, revise its analysis and issue a final environmental impact statement. The final statement will become an exhibit at a series of public hearings the PSCW will hold prior to making a final decision on the facility’s construction application. The draft statement and instructions on how to comment are available online.