Environmental Cooperative Agreement

Environmental Cooperative Agreement

MGE renewed its Environmental Cooperative Agreement (ECA) with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) through September 2012. MGE signed the original five-year agreement in 2002.

By participating in the WDNR's Environmental Cooperation Pilot Program and continuing this commitment, MGE pledges to meet higher environmental standards at our Blount Generating Station than those required by regulation. In return, the WDNR provides flexibility in record keeping and reporting. This saves time and money for MGE and the WDNR while ensuring ample regulatory oversight.

Some of MGE's ECA achievements

  • ISO 14001 certification. Blount was the first power plant in the state to earn this international standard for environmental management systems.
  • Boiler combustion improvements. Allowed MGE's largest boiler to burn more alternative fuels and lower nitrogen oxide levels under most conditions.
  • Ash reuse. By-products of coal production were recycled. Blount switched to natural gas as its primary fuel in 2010. Previously, coal was the main fuel.
  • Biodiesel fleet use. Reduced air emissions and reliance on imported oil for more than 100 trucks and off-road equipment.

Continued public input

Our Community Environmental Advisory Group (CEAG) is made up of representatives from:

  • Blount neighborhood.
  • Local business and environmental groups.
  • WDNR.
  • Elected officials.

The CEAG will continue to meet regularly to provide MGE guidance for implementing the agreement.

For more information

ECA full text [171 kB PDF]
Baseline Report [3.0 MB PDF]
2003 ECA Annual Report [1.7 MB PDF]
2004 ECA Annual Report [700 kB PDF]
2005 ECA Annual Report [1.2 MB PDF]
2006 ECA Annual Report [3.0 MB PDF]
2007 ECA Annual Report [1.8 MB PDF]

2002-2007 ECA Major Accomplishments [446 kB PDF]
2008 ECA Annual Report [975 kB PDF]
2009 ECA Annual Report [1.3 MB PDF]
2010 ECA Annual Report [895 kB PDF]

MGE contact: Jeff Jaeckels, Director - Safety and Environmental Affairs

Related links

DNR contact: Kim McCutcheon
DNR Web site