Contact: Timothy Le Monds or Teresa Smith, (608) 266-9600

PSC Issues Final Report on Great Lakes Wind Energy Study

MADISON – Today, a final report on the feasibility, economic potential
and environmental
impacts of developing wind energy on the Great Lakes was issued by the
Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin (PSC). The study found that off-shore wind
projects in the Great
Lakes are feasible, and could likely be a part of Wisconsin’s energy
future.

The report, which is the result of an initial investigation into Great
Lakes wind development,
identifies options for addressing the most significant barriers to the
development of off-shore wind should the State of Wisconsin decide to
pursue this alternative energy source

Wisconsin may have a tremendous renewable resource a few feet off of
its shores in Lake
Michigan, just waiting to be tapped,” said Commissioner Lauran Azar,
and head of the Wind on
the Water work group. “Over the next few decades, the electric
industry will need to find cost effective ways to reduce carbon
emissions. Today, the Commission is encouraging continued
cooperation with Wisconsin’s stakeholders to collect data on the
viability of offshore wind
turbines in Lake Michigan.”

The Study Group that prepared the report is comprised of a diverse
member roster representing
utilities, environmental organizations, customer and community groups,
Indian tribes and state
agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources, Department of
Administration and Board
of Commissioners of Public Lands. The group began its work
investigating the potential for offshore
wind generation in April of last year in response to a recommendation
by Governor Jim Doyle’s Task Force on Global Warming.

“I want to thank Commissioner Azar and everyone who worked so hard on
this investigation,”
said PSC Chairperson Eric Callisto. “This report shows that wind on
the Great Lakes is a reasonable energy alternative and looks to have a
place in our energy future. The Commission is
committed to being a leader in this area, and will work hard to
collect more data and support
more research to keep this initiative moving forward.”

“Wisconsin has abundant renewable energy potential and this report is
a road map that puts us on course to tapping one of Wisconsin’s
tremendous energy resources in the Great Lakes,” said Commissioner
Mark Meyer. “Offshore wind by no means is without its challenges;
however,
this study is an important step forward that could eventually make
offshore wind a reality in
Wisconsin, keeping Governor Doyle’s vision of energy independence for
our state in the
crosshairs.”

All three Commissioners agreed that the next likely steps would be to
collect wind resource,
wildlife, and other ecological data, and further study research and
development on deep water
foundations; initiate discussions with other states and Canada on
procuring a construction vessel for the Great Lakes; and begin working
with the Wisconsin Legislature to consider legislative changes that
would facilitate the development of off-shore wind on the Great
Lakes.

The final report, Harnessing Wisconsin’s Energy Resources: An Initial
Investigation into
Great Lakes Wind Development, can be found by visiting the PSC website
and clicking on
the Regulatory Filing System (ERF) at
http://psc.wi.gov/. Type case numbers 5-EI-144 in
the boxes provided on the ERF system.