The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 83.50 cents per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable September 1, 2024, to stockholders of record on August 14, 2024. This marks the 328th consecutive quarter — dating back to 1942 — that the company will have paid a dividend to its stockholders.

Founded on January 26, 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a local club for those who built and restored their own aircraft, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) quickly grew to become a vibrant and growing aviation community that includes all who enjoy flying for recreation and welcomes all aviation enthusiasts to participate.

Today, EAA is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation (legal name: Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.) that includes 300,000 members in more than 100 countries.

EAA’s mission is dedicated to growing participation in aviation. We strive to make aviation easier, more accessible, more rewarding, and more fun – igniting and nurturing interest by embracing "The Spirit of Aviation" in all that we do. EAA encourages and supports:

• Clear pathways that ignite and nurture interest;
• A welcoming and supportive environment;
• Opportunities to participate in all aspects of aviation;
• Making aviation more accessible;
• The camaraderie and community of aviators and enthusiasts.

WEC Energy Group has announced the pricing of $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 4.375% convertible senior notes due 2027 (the "2027 convertible notes") and $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 4.375% convertible senior notes due 2029 (the "2029 convertible notes") and, together with the 2027 convertible notes, the "convertible notes" in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In addition, WEC Energy Group granted the initial purchasers of the convertible notes an option to purchase, within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date the convertible notes are first issued, up to an additional $112,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 2027 convertible notes and up to an additional $112,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 2029 convertible notes. The offering closed on May 28, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

The convertible notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of WEC Energy Group. Interest on the convertible notes will be paid semiannually, at a rate of 4.375% per annum (in the case of the 2027 convertible notes) and at a rate of 4.375% per annum (in the case of the 2029 convertible notes). The convertible notes will mature on June 1, 2027 (in the case of the 2027 convertible notes) and June 1, 2029 (in the case of the 2029 convertible notes), unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms or (in the case of the 2029 convertible notes) redeemed by WEC Energy Group. 

Xcel Energy has named Rob Berntsen as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. Berntsen takes over the role from Amanda Rome, who held the position on an interim basis while also serving in her role as executive vice president, group president – utilities and chief customer officer.

“With two decades’ experience working in the energy sector, Rob is well suited to guide us forward as we lead the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy,” said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy’s chairman, president, and CEO. “Rob’s sound legal counsel and commercial acumen will be key as we strive to deliver safe, reliable and affordable service to our customers.”

Berntsen will oversee Xcel Energy’s legal, compliance and corporate secretary and securities teams.

“The landscape of the energy sector is shifting rapidly,” Berntsen said. “In joining Xcel Energy, I am excited to help the company navigate a host of legal and compliance considerations as it continues to lead the clean energy transition.”

Most recently, Berntsen served as senior vice president, chief of staff and general counsel at BHE Renewables, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy business that develops, owns, and operates solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric power plants. Prior to that, Berntsen worked for MidAmerican Energy Company, where he led the utility’s legal, regulatory, rates, government affairs, compliance, and energy efficiency groups. In addition, Berntsen has held leadership roles with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. (MISO) and the Iowa Utilities Board.

A veteran, Berntsen served as a captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, the legal arm of the U.S. Army and deployed to Iraq in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Berntsen earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University.

MGE Energy Declares Regular Dividend

The Board of Directors of MGE Energy, has declared the regular quarterly dividend of $0.4275 per share on the outstanding shares of the company's common stock, which was payable June 15, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business June 1, 2024.

MGE Energy has increased its dividend annually for the past 48 years and has paid cash dividends for more than 110 years.

Xcel Energy Board Declares Dividend on Common Stock

The Board of Directors of Xcel Energy has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 54.75 cents per share. The dividends are payable July 20, 2024, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2024.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with operations in 8 Western and Midwestern states.

Regen Fiber, Fairfax, Iowa, has hosted an opening ceremony and commenced production at the end-of-life wind turbine blade recycling facility at its Fairfax headquarters. The facility has the potential to create an end market for wind turbine scrap while also creating recycled content solution for concrete and asphalt producers.

Owned by Travero (Fairfax), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, Regen Fiber announced the launch of an eco-friendly wind blade recycling process in 2023. The company noted that rather than burning blades or burying them in landfills, its process shreds the blades, extracts usable components and transforms them into premium products that are used in construction materials, such as concrete, avoiding use of heat or chemicals. 

A new partnership has given Fareway Stores access to the benefits of solar power as Alliant Energy placed the one-megawatt Fareway Solar Field into service. The project consists of nearly 2,000 solar panels at the grocery chain's distribution center in the Boone Iowa Industrial Park.

The energy company will own, operate and maintain the Fareway Solar Field as part of the Alliant Energy Customer-Hosted Renewables program. The site will generate renewable energy for all Alliant Energy customers and renewable energy credits for Fareway to offset a portion of its carbon emissions.

“This project is a terrific addition to our distribution center campus here in Boone,” according to  Pat Goldsmith, Fareway’s Vice President of Facilities and Projects. “Partnering with Alliant Energy on the production of clean energy for years into the future is a great extension of our company legacy.”

At WEC Energy Group's annual meeting of stockholders, Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman, and Scott Lauber, President and CEO, highlighted another strong year on virtually every meaningful measure — from customer satisfaction, to financial performance, to steady execution of the company's capital plan. They also emphasized that it was a year of growth and dedication to the company's mission of delivering affordable, reliable and clean energy to millions of customers across the Midwest.

Company highlights

Developed the largest five-year capital plan in company history — including nearly 3,800 megawatts of new renewable capacity to serve the customers of We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service.

Completed the largest solar project in Wisconsin history as the final panels at the Badger Hollow Solar Park in southwestern Wisconsin went in service at the end of 2023.

Brought 128 megawatts of new highly efficient and flexible natural gas generation online.

Completed the construction of two liquefied natural gas facilities to support the company's power generation and gas distribution systems.

Introduced renewable natural gas (RNG) into the company's distribution network. The RNG replaces a portion of the conventional natural gas that would have entered the system. This effort contributes to WEC Energy Group's methane reduction goal and benefits the land and water of America's heartland.

Spent a record $333.7 million with certified minority-, women-, veteran- and service-disabled-owned businesses.

Returned a record $984 million to WEC Energy Group stockholders through dividends.

Increased the dividend level in January 2024 by 7% to an annual rate of $3.34 per share. This marks the 21^st consecutive year of higher dividends.

In 2024, selected by Standard and Poor's for inclusion in the High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index.

Also in 2024, selected by Standard and Poor's for inclusion in the High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index.

Xcel Energy has reduced carbon emissions fifty-four percent from the electricity it provides to customers from 2005 levels, the company announced in its 19th annual Sustainability Report.

Xcel Energy was the first U.S. energy provider to set aggressive goals to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, heating and transportation. The company’s 2018 goal aims to provide customers with 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050 and reduce carbon emissions from its operations eighty percent from 2005 levels by 2030. The report shows carbon-free energy made up fifty percent of the company’s 2023 energy mix, compared to an average of forty-one percent nationwide. Over the same time span, the company cut air emissions of sulfur dioxide from its power plants by eighty-three percent and nitrogen oxides by eighty-five percent.

“Xcel Energy remains at the forefront of the clean energy transition,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Xcel Energy. “Our progress in this historic transition thus far is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our employees to innovate and deliver on strategies and approaches that drive clean energy solutions.”