Panel to hear power-plant gripes
8:30 PM 6/03/03
Judy Newman Business reporter

An advisory committee, with representatives of the Regent Neighborhood Association and the power plant planned in the 600 block of Walnut Street, will be created to hear complaints from local residents, under terms of an agreement announced Tuesday by the neighborhood group, Madison Gas and Electric Co., UW-Madison and the state of Wisconsin.

In addition to the advisory panel, an air monitoring station will be set up in the West Side neighborhood while noise and vibration levels will be monitored at six area sites.

MGE and UW-Madison plan to build the $180 million, natural gas-fueled power plant to provide steam heat and chilled water for air conditioning for the campus, as well as 150 megawatts of electricity for the UW and the city.

With an agreement already in hand to cut air pollution levels in the Madison area to offset any emissions from the new power plant, the settlement with the neighborhood says at least half of the emission reductions will occur in the campus and Isthmus area.

The agreement "provides for basic protections for the neighborhood concerning noise and air quality issues," said neighborhood association president Joy Drummond, in a written statement.

"We're very pleased with this document," added MGE spokesman Steve Kraus. "It meets the goals for both of our organizations."

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee has approved the project but it still needs action by the full Legislature and the state Public Service Commission.