MGE signed an Environmental Cooperative Agreement (ECA) with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) on September 26, 2002.

MGE committed to the following actions:

At Blount Station:

1. Continue an ongoing study to improve combustion efficiency and environmental performance on one of its largest boilers
2. Install equipment to improve effectiveness of an existing air-pollution control device
3. Register voluntary emission reductions in the WDNR's registry
4. Increase use of alternative fuels that burn cleaner than coal
5. Attempt to increase beneficial reuse of fly ash and bottom ash
6. Collaborate with outside experts to minimize hazardous waste
7. Research options to reduce thermal discharge to Lake Monona
8. Study cogeneration possibilities for Blount Station
9. Quickly address noise concerns raised by neighbors

   Throughout the company:

10. Replace diesel fuels with biodiesel fuels in its vehicle fleet working from downtown Madison
11. Research ways to reduce diesel emissions from off-site stationary generators
12. Increase mercury-recycling efforts beyond current voluntary efforts, develop a plan for managing mercury-containing equipment throughout the company and develop a plan to accelerate replacement of PCB transformers
13. Collaborate with the DNR on a stormwater pollution prevention demonstration project

    In addition, MGE will:

14. Upgrade its Environmental Management System to ISO 14001 quality
15. Perform a benchmark audit
16. Complete an analysis of operational options for Blount Station, their environmental impacts and costs for customers within the next nine months, then engage public discussion about them
17. Consider public input when developing specific, measurable goals for environmental emission reductions at Blount Station
18. Report on its progress toward annual goals

For more information
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]