There are many growing energy industries that are capable of providing sustainable and renewable power to our state. Yet, there are those who still refuse to look to the future in any degree and instead focus on unhealthy, environmentally destructive energy sources.

Example - Wisconsin Power and Light's (WPL) Coal Burning facility along the Mississippi River in Cassville. WPL has plans to add 300 of coal energy production to the facility, a production increase of 150%. This plant is already a top ten mercury pollutant coal plant in the state (though nowhere near as bad as WPL's Kenosha, WI plant). Wisconsin's current mercury emission levels exceed 2200lbs per year, according to the DNR.

According to Clean Wisconsin, "Wisconsin’s aging fleet of coal-burning power plants is responsible for thousands of tons of smog and soot-causing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and fine particle emissions, which worsen air quality and create breathing problems, especially for children and those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. New coal plants, while somewhat less polluting than older units, still emit unacceptable levels of air pollutants, including mercury, a potent neurotoxin that has contaminated all of Wisconsin’s water bodies."

An alternative - expand the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm that WPL is purchasing to increase sustainable energy production. In addition, a similar wind farm could be developed on the west-central part of the state, creating clean energy and jobs.

For some decent information and statistics, check out this Natural Resources Board Report.

To learn more about Wind Energy in Wisconsin, check out these sites:

- WI Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables
- Focus on Energy Renewable Energy One-Stop
- WI DOA Wind Siting Guidance Reports and Requirements
- American Wind Energy Association
- The Energy Center of WI
- Bay Winds of Appleton, WI
- RENEW WI Wind Farm Development Sites
- US Department of Energy -- WI Wind Power
- Wind Links

Also, it wouldn't hurt to contact your state assembly rep, your state senate rep, your local mayor, and your governor (while you're at it, contact his opponent as well) to let them know that you support wind power, clean air and water, and sustainable energy.