News

Alliant Energy is moving forward with its proposed $730 million Columbia Wind Project in Columbia County. The project entails a large-scale wind farm just outside of Madison that the utility says will play a major role in meeting Wisconsin’s future energy needs, according to the press release from Alliant Energy.

The project, which would generate up to 277 megawatts of electricity, has drawn support from clean energy advocates while also raising concerns among some rural residents and farmers who worry about land use changes, construction impacts and the long-term presence of turbines in the landscape.

If approved, the Columbia Wind Project would become one of the largest wind farms in the state, according to University of Wisconsin professor of geotechnical engineering James Tinjum.

“This project would be one of the largest utility-scale wind farms in Wisconsin,” Tinjum said. “While there are about ten other large wind farms already operating in the state, this would significantly contribute to wind energy penetration in Wisconsin’s overall energy mix.”

Alliant Energy officials say Columbia County meets the technical and logistical requirements needed for a project of this size. Alliant Energy’s manager of resource development Justin Foss said the utility considers many factors when deciding where to site a wind farm.

The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group have announced that consistent with the company's guidelines, Gale Klappa, 75, will not be standing for election and will retire from the board following the annual meeting in May. The Board plans to appoint Scott Lauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, to the additional role of Chairman following the company's annual meeting, subject to his election by stockholders in the annual director election. Lauber has served as President and CEO of WEC Energy Group and as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2022. He joined the company in 1990 and has held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career.

Klappa joined Wisconsin Energy as President in April 2003. He was elected to the company's Board of Directors in December 2003. From May 2004, Klappa served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Energy and We Energies. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed its 2015 acquisition of Integrys Energy Group, at which time he assumed those same roles for WEC Energy Group.

Klappa served as non-executive Chairman of WEC Energy Group after retiring as Chief Executive Officer in May 2016. In October 2017, Klappa resumed the role of Chairman and CEO to provide leadership and continuity following a medical issue that sidelined his successor. He returned to the Non-Executive Chairman role in May 2024.

Klappa was the longest serving Chief Executive Officer in company history.

Xcel Energy, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. to accelerate the delivery of generation resources to serve large load customers, including data centers.

This MOU represents an expansion of a long-standing commercial relationship between Xcel Energy and NextEra Energy. The parties expect to support existing and new large load opportunities across Xcel Energy’s service territories through improved collaboration on generation, storage and associated transmission investments. This will enable both companies to better anticipate system needs, rapidly assess where large customer demand intersects with available grid and power assets, streamline development timelines, and advance innovative grid technologies for the benefit of all Xcel Energy customers. Xcel Energy expects this agreement will allow it to increase the data center demand that it can serve through the 2030s. Importantly, Xcel Energy is committed to ensuring that its existing customers benefit from new, large loads on its systems and that data centers pay their fair share.

Legislation is under consideration at the Capitol (AB 493/SB 559) that would allow for third party development of solar generating facilities without having to submit to standard utility regulation. These proposals are unfair to utilities, and potentially harmful and costly to consumers and utility investors alike.

Under these so called “community solar” bills, developers could build solar projects exempt from public utility regulation. However, the incumbent utilities would be required to distribute the electricity, manage the billing and credit system, and purchase excess high price power from these projects. These costs would be passed on to non-participating utility customers.

These projects would likely displace a portion of the utility scale solar projects planned or currently being permitted for construction in the near future. Since utility scale solar projects are, without question, the lowest cost means of generating solar electricity, this unfair competition would be harmful to consumers because high cost “community solar” would displace a portion of lower cost utility scale solar generation. This would also adversely impact utility investors.

Some have suggested that “community solar” projects would be a form of free market competition. The reality is that under the bills, they benefit from a unique regulatory framework with guaranteed subsidies and requirements that utilities provide the distribution network, along with having to purchase high priced excess power and manage the billing system. The bottom line is that “community solar” is only viable with subsidies from incumbent utilities.

Experience in other states has shown that “community solar” has proven to be a costly mistake. In neighboring Minnesota, “community solar” pricing is set at a rate as much as 100 percent higher than utility scale solar.

Please take a moment to contact your State Senator and Representative and urge them to vote against these bills. Go to WUIINC.org and click on “Find My Legislators” and enter your street address on the top line. You can then click on their email addresses and send them a message.  

Rebecca Valcq, who served as chair of Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and led several state energy offices, was named the next president of Alliant Energy.

Alliant announced David de Leon, President of Alliant, will retire effective July 1, 2026. Rebecca “Becky” Valcq, who served as chair of the PSC between 2019 and 2025, will take his place as company president.

“David’s 39 years of service are a true reflection of his dedication to our customers, communities and employees across Iowa and Wisconsin,” said Lisa Barton, president and CEO of Alliant Energy, in a statement. “Throughout his career, he championed safety, reliability and community partnership, leading with integrity, care and a deep commitment to serving others. We are grateful for his leadership, and the positive, lasting impact he has had on our employees and the customers who depend on us every day. On behalf of the board of directors, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”

Valcq began as President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company and Vice President of Energy Delivery on January 5, 2026, officials said. She joined Alliant Energy in 2024 as Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.

In early 2024, Valcq resigned from chair of the PSC after serving for five years. Governor Tony Evers said it was “an honor and pleasure” to work with her. She also led several state offices for energy, broadband, and energy innovation.

Valcq will have overall accountability for Alliant’s performance in the state, officials said. She will oversee Wisconsin-based operations while supporting customer growth. She will also lead operations support and economic development reports across both Iowa and Wisconsin, officials added.

Valcq serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute, the National Utilities Diversity Council and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, officials said. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Drake University and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School.

The electric grid operator for the upper Midwest has tapped two out-of-state firms to build high-voltage power lines in Wisconsin, bypassing joint proposals that included ATC and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The decisions came after the Legislature failed to pass legislation that was designed to give utilities with existing infrastructure in Wisconsin the first crack at building the lines. Conservative groups opposed the bill — dubbed right of first refusal — arguing allowing them to be competitively bid would drive down the cost of the work.

MISO selected Ohio-based Viridon Midcontinent LLC for a 106-mile 765 kV line in southeastern Wisconsin. The company’s bid of $349 million for the work was less than the other three proposals submitted for the line.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator said in the announcement it had concerns that Viridon had understated the capital costs, but “offered cost containment strong enough to likely ensure the lowest cost to the ratepayer even if its estimated costs rose significantly.”

The Board of Directors of Xcel Energy has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 57 cents per share. The dividends are payable January 20, 2026, to shareholders of record on December 29, 2025.

We Energies has been named recipient of the 2025 ReliabilityOne® Award for outstanding reliability performance in the Upper Midwest.

The award is given to utilities that have excelled in delivering the most reliable electric service to their customers. The recognition, which is based on performance for the year 2024, is presented by PA Consulting.

“This award is a testament to the skill and dedication of our employees, and to the investments we’ve made and work we do every day to ensure reliable service for our customers,” said Mike Hooper, President — We Energies.

We Energies has made investments in the grid to improve performance and recovery from storms. The company is upgrading aging systems, burying hundreds of miles of power lines, adding high-tech equipment that reduces the impact of power outages, and trimming back branches and removing trees along thousands of miles of power lines. These investments are helping to modernize the company’s delivery systems, reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency.

Alliant Energy has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Manu Asthana as a new Independent Director, effective February 23, 2026.  

Asthana, 52, brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across the energy and financial services sectors, with deep expertise in electric and gas markets, grid operations, power generation and trading, risk management, retail energy, customer solutions and enterprise strategy. He most recently served as President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, the largest power grid operator in North America. 

“We are pleased to welcome Manu to Alliant Energy’s Board of Directors,” said Patrick Allen, Independent Board Chair of Alliant Energy. “Manu brings deep expertise in the utility industry, grid operations and energy markets, having led large, complex organizations within the sector. His perspective and experience will strengthen the Board’s collective ability to guide the company’s long-term strategy and support long-term growth for the customers and communities Alliant Energy serves.”

Xcel Energy employees, contractors and retirees, supported by the company’s Foundation, provided over $14 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in 2025 to support charitable organizations and causes.

Throughout the year, they embraced opportunities to donate their time and act on a shared commitment to making a difference in their communities, volunteering nearly 60,000 hours. The Foundation expanded its giving impact this year by investing nearly $5 million in grant funding to 400 nonprofit organizations across its eight-state service area. These grant recipients align with the Foundation’s three primary focus areas: STEM career pathways, community vitality and environmental sustainability.

The company’s 2025 Day of Service engaged 2,900 volunteers who committed nearly 8,900 hours to support 99 nonprofit projects. Among the many other impacts of these projects, volunteers packed 81,600 meals for hunger relief efforts in local communities and assembled 6,600 kits to support teachers and students during the school year. The Power Your Purpose Giving Campaign raised nearly $2.8 million to support 1,400 organizations.