Xcel Energy is seeking proposals for a major expansion of its Texas-New Mexico power generating system as older power plants are retired in the coming years and electricity demand is forecast to increase to meet the needs of a growing regional economy.

“We have served this region for more than 100 years, and we have a strong history of investing in power generating resources to sustain the growth of our communities and key industries at key points in their development,” according to Adrian J. Rodriguez, President, Xcel Energy Texas–New Mexico. “We are excited to have another historic opportunity to realize an energy future that is cost-efficient, diverse and balanced with an aim of serving our customers economically for years to come.”

For the first time, a fusion device at the University of Wisconsin in Madison has generated plasma, inching one step closer toward using nuclear fusion as a a new source of carbon-free energy.

The university’s physicists and engineers have been building and testing the device at a lab in Stoughton for the last four years, which is referred to as the Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror or WHAM. The magnetic mirror device became operational on July 15.

Researchers worldwide have been working for decades to harness energy from nuclear fusion reactions that power the sun and the stars. That reaction relies on heated plasma, which is a gas of hot ions and free-moving electrons.

Cary Forest, a UW-Madison physics professor, said generating plasma is an exciting step.

Until now, nuclear power has come from fission reactors that split atoms. Fusion reactors would join atoms together. Unlike current nuclear plants, Forest said fusion would not produce radioactive waste, adding it’s also safer.

All five of Wisconsin’s major electric utilities are on pace to hit their carbon reduction goals by the end of the decade, according to a new draft report from the state’s utility regulator. 

Every two years, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin prepares the Strategic Energy Assessment, a report compiling information on electricity demand, the state’s energy mix, affordability and environmental impact. The new draft report is based on data utilities provided to state regulators in fall 2023 as well as historical data.

Two years ago, the draft Strategic Energy Assessment projected four of the five major electric providers would fall short of their goals. But the regulator’s new draft said all major electric utilities are expected to meet their 2030 goals through coal plant retirements, moving to cleaner fuels and adding renewable energy resources.

For Wisconsin Public Service, We Energies, Xcel Energy and Madison Gas and Electric, hitting their goals means reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Alliant Energy, meanwhile, has a goal of a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.

All five major utilities hope to achieve a 100 percent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2050.

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.