Nearly 150 Wisconsin Utility Investor Members attended this year’s Annual Meeting held in East Troy, Wisconsin, bringing our attendance nearly back to pre-Covid numbers. Members took advantage of the opportunity to talk to shareholder relations representatives from Alliant Energy, MGE Energy, and WEC Energies, learning about current investment dividends and considering future stock options.

Xcel Energy is proposing to add an additional 250-megawatt solar project near the existing Sherco plant site in Becker, Minnesota, which will soon be home to the Upper Midwest’s largest solar development and represents an important piece of the company’s clean energy future.

Xcel Energy has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to add a third solar array adjacent to the 460-megawatt Sherco Solar project already under construction. The three solar projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2025 and will replace the capacity of the Sherco plant’s first coal unit that is scheduled to retire later this year. As part of its expansion of solar energy it delivers to customers, Xcel Energy is also proposing to purchase power from the 100-megawatt Apple River solar project being developed in northwest Wisconsin.

WEC Energy Group has released its 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the company's environmental, social and governance performance. The report outlines the progress made by WEC Energy Group and its family of companies on major projects and the company's commitment to the environment and the economies of the areas it serves.

The report also examines the company's climate strategy and the research and development of emerging technologies such as hydrogen power and long-duration battery storage.

Alliant Energy has reported earnings of $160 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the company said it had profit of 64 cents. The electric and gas utility parent company posted revenue of $912 million in the period.

Alliant Energy expects full-year earnings to be $2.82 to $2.96 per share.

MGE Energy has reported net income of $28.7 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the company said it had net income of 79 cents. The public utility holding company posted revenue of $148 million in the period.

Xcel Energy has reported 2023 second quarter GAAP and ongoing earnings of $288 million, or $0.52 per share, compared with $328 million, or $0.60 per share, in the same period in 2022.

Earnings reflect the impact of unfavorable weather, higher operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses and interest charges, without expected increases in regulatory recovery to offset these drivers including the outcome of the Minnesota Electric Rate Case.

WEC Energy Group has reported net income of $289.7 million, or 92 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2023 — up from $287.5 million, or 91 cents per share, in last year's second quarter. For the first six months of 2023, the company recorded net income of $797.2 million, or $2.52 per share — down from $853.4 million, or $2.70 per share, in the corresponding period a year ago. Consolidated revenues totaled $4.7 billion for the first six months of 2023, down $317.9 million from revenues in the first half of 2022.

"After a down first quarter marked by one of the warmest winters on record, we delivered solid results in the second quarter. And we're firmly on track for a strong 2023," said Gale Klappa, executive chairman. "We're focused on the fundamentals of our business — financial discipline, operating efficiency and customer satisfaction."

Xcel Energy has announced its Clean Heat Plan, the company’s first significant proposal to strategically reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the natural gas system. 

The Clean Heat Plan, one of the first of its kind, provides a pathway to reduce emissions consistent with state goals and further implements Xcel Energy’s net-zero emissions goal for its natural gas business. The Plan fast-tracks clean, resilient, innovative solutions while ensuring our customers receive the reliable, affordable energy they need to power their lives. Designed to accommodate customers’ unique needs, the Plan offers a portfolio of solutions customers can choose that work for them, leading to greater emission reductions at a lower cost.

The Public Service Commission has a new online tool that makes it easier to determine the state’s energy mix. The "Wisconsin Energy Statistics" portal provides a snapshot of energy use in Wisconsin, as well as that energy’s economic and environmental impacts. 

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has published energy data in a physical book since 1976. In a statement, PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq said the new online resource aims to make that information more accessible.

Wisconsin’s utility regulator has received input from customers hoping to guide an investigation into alternative low-income assistance programs at two of the state’s largest utilities.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin hosted listening sessions in Green Bay and Milwaukee. The listening sessions followed rate increases regulators approved late last year for two WEC Energy Group utilities — We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service. 

Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and Chief Operations Officer, has announced that Raja Sundararajan has been named Executive Vice President of Strategy and Customer Solutions of Alliant Energy effective June 12, 2023. 

“Sundararajan is a strategic thought leader in the energy industry who understands the transformation the sector is embarking on and has the leadership skills necessary to drive strategies and solutions for our customers,” said Barton. “His proven leadership and utility experience have been central to his ability to develop new approaches that enhance the customer experience. I am excited for him to join our leadership team and am confident he will help accelerate our strategy. He will play a key role in how we deliver on our purpose – to serve customers and build stronger communities.”  

In this role, Sundararajan will be responsible for the continued refinement of Alliant Energy’s long-term strategy and enhancement of the customer experience. He will have responsibility for the company’s corporate and regulatory strategy, positioning the company to create and develop solutions in an ever-changing landscape. Sundararajan will partner across the enterprise to leverage technology investments and work with operations’ leadership to drive continued growth. He also will be responsible for leading the company’s government affairs, renewables and business development, product offerings, marketing, communications and supply chain functions.  

Sundararajan said, “Alliant Energy is an industry leader in energy transition with a focus on serving customers and building stronger communities. I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to working alongside Alliant Energy’s talented employees.” 

Sundararajan began his career with General Motors as a Senior Product Engineer before moving to the energy industry in 2004, working for American Electric Power in Columbus Ohio. Over his near 20-year history with American Electric Power, Sundararajan held roles in Corporate Finance, Investor Relations and Market Risk before ascending to executive roles as Vice President of Transmission Strategy, as well as Vice President of Regulatory Services. In 2019, he was promoted to President and Chief Operations Officer of American Electric Power, Ohio, and subsequently in 2021 he took on the role of Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Customer Solutions. Most recently, he held the role of Executive Vice President of External Affairs at American Electric Power. 

Sundararajan earned his Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, and his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Additionally, he holds an MBA from the University of Michigan. 

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells has hosted a ribbon cutting for one of Wisconsin’s largest and fastest public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations placed at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells. Casino officials, Ho-Chunk Nation President, Marlon White-Eagle, and officials from Alliant Energy, Inertial Electric, and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce were present for the event.

With collaborations from Alliant Energy and Inertial Electric, two ABB Terra 184 fast charging option with pull-in parking as well as a pull-through station which allows easy charging for larger vehicles pulling trailers. Both charging stations are ADA compliant designed and available around the clock in the parking lot just 2 miles south of interstate 90/94, on exit 92.

The U.S. General Services Administration and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) have announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Xcel Energy to work toward providing federal facilities in Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2030.

The federal government hopes to lead by example and leverage its scale and procurement power to tackle the climate crisis. The MOU will advance the Administration’s ambitious goal of sourcing 100 percent CFE to power federal facilities by 2030, at least half of which will be locally-supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand.

We Energies employees have contributed more than $160,000 to support performing arts in southeastern Wisconsin.

Hundreds of employees pledged part of their paycheck during the annual United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) campaign. On top of that, the We Energies Foundation will match all employee donations over $50.

Alliant Energy has begun the installation of solar panels at its 50-MW Beaver Dam Solar Project site. A ceremony was attended by executives, team members, construction partners, local leaders, neighbors, and participating landowners. Located in Dodge County, Wisconsin, just east of Beaver Dam, the project is part of Alliant Energy's Clean Energy Blueprint, an ambitious plan to expedite the development of renewable energy and decrease carbon emissions in a cost-effective manner.  The construction of this particular site is set to be completed by the end of 2023.

Overall, Alliant Energy's Clean Energy Blueprint comprises 12 utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin, which will collectively generate almost 1,100 MW of energy once they are operational. Three of these projects, producing a combined total of 250 MW, commenced operations in late 2022, while the remaining nine are currently under construction.

Three utilities have received approval from Wisconsin utility regulators to buy the state’s largest renewable energy plant.

The Public Service Commission has approved the $649 million purchase of the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center by We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, and Madison Gas and Electric.

Introduced and tested in 2019, Solo-Driver Plus was used on a construction project for the first time in its history. The patent-pending foundation installation method installed 80 caisson foundations to support new steel structures for transmission line rebuild project in Adams and Waushara counties.

Set up and driving takes minutes to accomplish with Solo-Driver Plus with very little ground disturbance, making it faster and more environmentally friendly than traditional installation methods.  After the launch of the initial Solo-Driver design in 2015, a team of engineers focused on evolution of the excavator installed caisson concept.  Solo-Driver Plus’s “H” design provided ATC the opportunity to improve drivability and corrosion resistance as well as simplify fabrication, potentially reducing associated costs.  A second variation was also developed and initially tested that has the potential to be used on more heavily loaded structures.

Xcel Energy has powered down its Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant to allow it to more quickly perform the repairs needed to permanently resolve a leak of water containing tritium at the plant. The company does not anticipate any impacts to customers’ electric service from powering the plant down early.

“While the leak has continued to pose no risk to the public or the environment, we determined the best course of action is to power down the plant and perform the permanent repairs immediately,” said Chris Clark, president of Xcel Energy–Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “We are continuing to work with and inform our state, federal, city and county leaders in the process.”