An innovative approach to environmental performance and regulatory compliance

MGE is participating in a pilot program which may change the way the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) monitor and regulate businesses' environmental impacts.

The MGE and WDNR agreement:

• Encourages both parties to work more cooperatively on environmental issues.
• Is the result of several months of discussions.
• Had active input from interested members of the community.
• Lasts five years; however, both parties can agree to extend the agreement for another five years.
• Does not relax any emission limits or environmental regulations.

MGE commits to work toward superior environmental performance at Blount Station. In return, the WDNR has provided flexibility in record-keeping and reporting requirements.

Public participation
To gather public input on the agreement, the Environmental Management System and subsequent goal achievement, MGE:

• Established a Community Environmental Advisory Group (CEAG) which meets regularly with MGE and the DNR.
• Solicited comments from the general public to mold the details of the agreement.

Continuous environmental improvement
Over five years, within our Environmental Management System, MGE will:

• Set goals for Blount Station.
• Monitor and measure our achievements.
• Share the results with our CEAG. Their input will help us formulate solutions for goals we don’t achieve and set goals for subsequent years. This process will help us achieve continuous environmental improvement.

Environmental stewardship is good business practice
MGE decided to participate in this agreement because:

• We care about the environment.
• Our customers care about the environment too.
• It's good for our community.
• It's good business.

Having knowledgeable WDNR staff work together with MGE staff on environmental issues makes problem solving:

• More effective.
• More cost efficient.
• Take less time than each of us working separately.

Using the best expertise and resources from both organizations, we can find better, more cost-effective solutions to environmental situations.

ECA progress
MGE has completed a Baseline Report committed to in the agreement. The report also includes a progress report on other ECA items which are well under way.

For more information
ECA full text  [PDF - 171 KB]
Baseline Report [PDF - 3.1 MB]
2003 ECA Annual Report [PDF - 1.7 MB]
2004 ECA Annual Report [PDF - 701 KB]
2005 ECA Annual Report [PDF - 1.2 MB]
2006 ECA Annual report [PDF - 2.9 MB]
2007 ECA Annual report [PDF - 1.8 MB]
2002-2007 ECA Major Accomplishments [PDF - 446 KB]

MGE contact: Mike Ricciardi

Related links
DNR contact: John Shenot

DNR Web site