The Dane County Circuit Court has affirmed the approved Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for the planned Nemadji Trail Energy Center. The court affirmed the PSCW granting of the CPCN for the NTEC project on the merits, rejecting every argument made by the opponents.

Throughout this multiyear process, the project utilities (Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power, Basin Electric Cooperative) have fully complied with state and federal approval and permitting requirements and extensive environmental reviews. Current challenges to the project only serve to compromise progress towards the lower-carbon goals shared by consumers and utilities alike.

The combined-cycle natural gas plant will deliver up to 625 MW of reliable, renewable-supporting energy to the electric grid. It will perform on-demand in any weather conditions and to back-up wind and solar facilities. Construction will commence later this year, with expected commercial operation in the 2026-2027 range.

More: Wisconsin State Journal and La Crosse Tribune coverage of the court action.