Senator Larson Condemns PSC Approval of New Methane Gas Facilities

Madison, WI — Today, Governor Tony Evers’ commissioners on the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the construction of two large-scale methane gas plants: a 128-megawatt (MW) facility in the Town of Paris and a 1,100-MW facility at the City of Oak Creek Power Plant site. Senator Chris Larson strongly condemned the decision, calling it a setback for clean energy progress and a threat to public health and environmental justice.

“This decision is a slap in the face to neighbors, community leaders, faith groups, conservation advocates, local governments, and businesses, who wrote hundreds of testimonies submitted as individual comments; 94% of which opposed the Oak Creek methane proposal and 95% opposed the Paris project. Ultimately, this decision severely undermines Wisconsin’s commitment to a clean energy future,” said Senator Larson. “Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure deepens our reliance on polluting energy sources for decades more than is necessary. This will only worsen the climate crisis and will place the heaviest burden on our neighbors already most at risk. All this for an AI data center that will result in a net decrease in jobs for Wisconsin, will likely not materialize, and is being done for a corporation that said they want to be carbon neutral. Who, exactly, are Governor Evers’ PSC Commissioners listening to?”

Larson also pushed back on the narrative that methane gas is a step toward renewable energy. “The idea that methane gas is a ‘bridge fuel’ is simply false,” he said. “It’s a profit-driven detour that delays the urgent transition we need. Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas, and investing in its infrastructure locks our state into decades of continued pollution and costs.”

“Pretending that methane gas is a climate solution is like climbing into a life raft with a leak,” Larson said. “It gives a false sense of safety while quietly sinking us deeper into crisis. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and every dollar spent on this outdated technology is a dollar stolen from clean, lasting solutions that already exist.”

The approval of these projects raises serious concerns about their long-term impact on the health and safety of surrounding neighborhoods. Larson emphasized that the PSC’s decision reflects a disregard for both community well-being and Wisconsin’s climate commitments.

“While this vote is a disappointing setback, our work is not done,” Larson added. “Transitioning to clean, renewable energy is a marathon, not a sprint—and we must remain committed to building a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future for all Wisconsinites.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.