MGE's Community Energy Workshop was held the evening of April 19, 2016, at Monona Terrace in downtown Madison as part of a multistep engagement effort to advance the goals identified in our Energy 2030 framework. The Workshop was facilitated by Justice and Sustainability Associates (JSA) and provided an opportunity for deliberative dialogue from a comprehensive cross section of differing perspectives from throughout our community. We invited leaders and representatives from a broad and diverse set of organizations and interests, including nonprofits; neighborhoods; businesses; educational institutions; and advocacy, environmental and sustainability groups, which also include racial, cultural and linguistic perspectives. About 200 community members and leaders engaged in deliberative dialogue about MGE's Energy 2030 framework, new products and services, and community engagement. Participants also were welcome to share feedback unrelated to the topics presented during the three facilitated discussion rounds.
The multiple presentations shared at the Workshop as well as a summary of the themes generated by participants are available. The Workshop resulted in more than two thousand comments.
This short video takes a look at the Workshop.
How the Workshop was Conducted
During the course of the Workshop, participants engaged in three discussion rounds. Each round featured a live introduction and video presentation followed by facilitated discussion at each table. The topics included
MGE's Energy 2030 framework,
new products and services, and
community engagement. Participants answered a short series of questions at their tables and engaged in discussion after each video.
Scribes at each table forwarded participants' comments electronically to a "theme team." The "theme team" synthesized participants' anonymous comments and identified themes generated during each discussion round. The themes from the three rounds comprise the content of the summary.
Analysis of Workshop Input
The Community Energy Workshop was held to generate additional guidance in implementing our Energy 2030 framework. Since the Workshop, we have been engaged in a thorough and meaningful analysis of participants' comments to ensure we're able to put community input to use as we move forward under Energy 2030.
Thousands of Comments
Here, you will find all of the two thousand comments generated by those who gave of their valuable time and sincere effort in sharing their input about our community's energy future—our community's needs, priorities, values, aspirations and realities. Out of respect for the process and the energy participants invested in it, we conducted a comprehensive review of the data. To all of our customers, we have listened. Many of you have engaged directly with us. We've heard you, and we hope you join us in working together to advance shared goals.
To that end, as a result of our analysis of participants' comments, we have assembled a report that MGE will use to help guide how we will work with you, our valued customers. The report is available below and is organized by the broad themes that emerged during the analysis of participants' input. This is part of a larger and extensive engagement process that continues to inform our collective future.
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Executive Summary
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Energy 2030
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Role of MGE
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Economics of Energy
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New Products and Services
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Energy Resources
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Energy Efficiency and Conservation
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Communication
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Community Engagement and Partnerships
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Equity and Diversity
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Participant Comments
For more insight into how we're using this information as we work toward Energy 2030 and net-zero by 2050, visit
mge2050.com.