As a community energy company, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has a responsibility to plan and provide a reliable, affordable energy supply that balances the needs and values of our customers. Our Energy 2015 plan represents the next steps we are taking to ensure a dependable and environmentally responsible energy supply for tomorrow.

Early progress

MGE has met the major goals of its Energy 2015 plan five years ahead of schedule:

• Discontinue burning coal at Blount Generating Station. In March 2010, MGE took a significant step by making natural gas the primary fuel at Blount and coal the secondary fuel. Blount can operate on coal and natural gas. Our Energy 2015 plan calls for discontinuing the use of coal by the end of 2011.

• Secure replacement energy. MGE has invested in new, cleaner coal facilities to help replace Blount's coal-fired electricity. In February 2010, MGE began receiving energy from a new cleaner coal facility at the Oak Creek Power Plant. The facility has state-of-the-art emissions controls. The company has a 100-megawatt (MW) interest in this facility on Lake Michigan.

• More renewable resources. Today, MGE has 12 times the wind capacity it had in 2005. Wind capacity has grown from 11 to 138 MW, and solar capacity four times – from 80 to 418 kW – in the last three years.

• Increased energy efficiency and conservation. Our energy efficiency programs and conservation by our customers have saved enough power (423,000 MW hours) to supply the UW-Madison campus for one year. We give credit to our residential and business customers with helping us exceed our Energy 2015 goals already.

Reducing carbon dioxide

Due to the early progress of Energy 2015, MGE expects a significant decrease in its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. MGE projects from 2005 to 2015 a:

• 21% decrease in total CO2 emissions.
• 17% decrease in CO2 rates.

The company had originally forecast an 8% decrease in total CO2 emissions and a 10% reduction in CO2 rates by 2015.

Other Energy 2015 accomplishments

• Offer innovative pricing options. We have offered a green pricing program since 1999 and nearly 10% of our customers now volunteer to participate in green pricing, making it one of the highest rates in the United States. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy recognized MGE's Green Power Tomorrow program by awarding it the Green Power Program of the Year.

• Demonstrate new technologies. MGE continues to demonstrate and test new technologies. For example, MGE is installing a public network of electric vehicle charging stations in its service area. MGE's first charging stations will help us learn about our customers' usage patterns and demands as auto manufacturers begin to introduce plug-in electric vehicles. We also are testing an urban wind turbine and various solar technologies.

For more information

Energy 2015 Overview [PDF - 183 KB]