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Resident raises health, climate and noise concerns about proposed We Energies natural‑gas generator in Paris Township
Summary
At a Kenosha County Board meeting, a resident urged supervisors to scrutinize a proposed reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) natural‑gas generating station in Paris Township and highlighted potential health, climate and rate impacts; no formal board action was taken.
At a Kenosha County Board of Supervisors meeting, a resident identified only as Maria urged supervisors to ask questions about a proposed natural‑gas reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) generating station planned for Paris Township, warning it could worsen air quality and climate impacts and could require new pipeline infrastructure.
Maria said the Public Service Commission is holding a listening session about the plant “tomorrow at 2 and 6 p.m. in the Municipal Center Room at the Union Grove Town Hall,” and asked whether We Energies had contacted supervisors or submitted information to county planning bodies. “Has We Energies talked to any of you? Have they gone to the plan commission, sent you any information?” she asked.
Why it matters: Maria told supervisors the plant is being presented as a stopgap until renewable sources can supply sufficient power, but said building new fossil‑fuel capacity can drive higher utility rates because the costs are passed to ratepayers. She also cited a Union of Concerned Scientists and Healthy Climate Wisconsin report that she said projects increased health costs and worsened asthma and heart‑attack risks for children and elderly residents if the proposed plants move forward.
During her remarks Maria raised several topics she said supervisors and residents should consider, including methane leakage from new pipeline construction, the plant’s noise, and local air quality impacts. “This methane plant, they call it natural gas, but it’s methane, will require 30 miles of pipeline. Methane leaks easily,” she said. “Please ask questions. Ask about the noise that thing’s gonna make when it runs. Don’t be walked over.”
Maria also criticized recent rate increases approved by the Public Service Commission, saying the utility was authorized to raise rates by 14 percent about a year ago after requesting 18 percent and that capital projects are a key driver of rate increases. She urged supervisors to seek more information before supporting the proposal and said large rooftops in the county could be used for solar instead of building new fossil‑fuel capacity.
The board did not take any formal action on the matter during the meeting, and there was no recorded response from supervisors on whether We Energies had directly briefed the county. Public comment closed after Maria’s remarks. The meeting continued with announcements and committee business.
No vote or formal directive concerning the proposed Paris Township generating station was recorded in the meeting transcript.
