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Beloit resident urges council to publicize PSC docket on Riverside Energy Center expansion, cites health and emissions concerns
Summary
During public comment, Susan Adams urged the council to add information about Wisconsin Public Service Commission docket 6680-CE-187 to the city’s Climate Action Plan and raised concerns about increased emissions and local air quality from the Riverside Energy Center expansion proposal.
Susan Adams of Beloit used the public comment period at the Beloit City Council meeting to urge the council to inform residents about how to submit comments to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission on a proposed expansion of the Riverside Energy Center.
Adams said the commission’s current public comment period runs through Feb. 12 for docket 6680-CE-187 and encouraged the council to add guidance to the city’s Climate Action Plan so residents can find the commission’s contact information. She said interveners had identified “significant flaws” in the Public Service Commission’s public notice and environmental assessment processes and that local residents have “limited opportunity” to voice concerns to the commission.
Adams cited emissions data she said showed an increase in carbon dioxide emissions from the Riverside Energy Center, saying emissions rose from about 250 metric tons to nearly 3,000 metric tons in 2022, and said that where carbon dioxide emissions are high, “so are other pollutants.” She also raised concern about fine particulate matter and said PurpleAir monitors in Beloit, used on the recommendation of the state Department of Natural Resources, have recorded high readings.
“Beloit needs the energy supplied by Riverside, but why is Beloit paying the price for a facility that primarily serves communities beyond Beloit?” Adams asked, noting the plant’s generation was described in the public materials as sufficient for roughly 550,000 households while Beloit has fewer than 14,000 households.
Adams said she would send the Public Service Commission contact information to Sarah Lock so the city can share it with residents.
Later in council reports, Councilor Adamo noted the public comment period and encouraged residents to submit comments and to seek assistance from local groups to learn more about the project.
There was no action by the council on the matter during the meeting; council members may refer the topic to staff or to a future agenda but did not do so at this session.
