Energy Policy
WGF analyses and statements on energy policy in Wisconsin, including generation, distribution, energy sources, and efficiencies. This work is developed by the Energy Policy Work Group, and is closely allied with our Climate Change work.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues permit for Enbridge Line 5 Re-route despite challenges to state permits
On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit that allows construction of the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline re-route in northern Wisconsin. Legal challenges to the required state permits continue.
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Update – August 2025
Contested Case Hearings on DNR Water Permits Begins August 12
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
The contested case hearings on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) water permits for the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline reroute in Wisconsin begin August 12 in Ashland, WI. The hearings will be held in Ashland and Madison …
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Updates – March 2025
Enbridge Line 5 Updates: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Denies Water Quality Certification for Enbridge Line 5 Oil Pipeline Re-route
Will Trump Administration Energy Emergency Executive Order Affect Line 5?
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Inter-Related Regulatory Decisions
Existing pipeline on east end of the Bad River Reservation, 2022, photo …
Read More >Update on Vista Sands Solar and Greater Prairie-Chickens
by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
Working for Renewable Energy AND Wildlife Conservation
In August 2024, at the administrative law hearing for the Vista Sands Solar Project development, I testified on behalf of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF). In that testimony, we asked for certain solar arrays to be excluded from the final project map. …
Updates on Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline – December 2024
Enbridge received permits from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for oil pipeline Line 5 Reroute to cross streams and wetlands in northern Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, crude oil spilled from Line 6 in southern Wisconsin.
Enbridge Line 5 Segment Relocation Map, 2020
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) has followed and commented …
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Reroute: 2024 Updates
Drilling for Pipeline Construction Project in Northern Wisconsin. Photo: John Spangberg
Two regulatory milestones for Enbridge L5R
The regulatory process for the controversial Enbridge Line 5 petroleum pipeline re-route (L5R) crossed two major milestones in late summer 2024.
Read More >
Celebrating IRA Funding at Black Business Hub
Celebrating Climate Funding
On August 14, 2024, Paul Heinen, Policy Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), joined 70 celebrants of the 2-year-old Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at the new Black Business Hub in Madison. Through the IRA, over $920 Million has been invested in Wisconsin. To begin this needed work, in 2022, President Biden sent …
Read More >Vista Sands Solar Farm – WGF Public Testimony
WGF’s Public Testimony on the proposed Vista Sands Solar Farm
An update on how we’re fighting for renewable energy and wildlife conservation.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) continues to seek several modifications to the proposed Vista Sands Solar Farm development. We’re working so this unprecedented expansion of renewable energy production – a necessary step toward attaining the …
Read More >Opportunity for Action: Public Hearing on Vista Sands Solar Farm
Solar panels in Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Asplund
Your voice is needed to support renewable energy production and protect Wisconsin’s wildlife.
As you may know, Wisconsin’s Green Fire has been engaged with other conservation organizations reviewing the 6,700-acre Vista Sands Solar Farm application. The final approval of this project rests with the Public Service …
Read More >WGF Submits Comments on Vista Sands Solar Farm DEIS
Wisconsin’s Green Fire sends comment letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
We submitted our organizational comment letter on PSC Docket Number 9820-CE-100 on June 14, 2024. In this letter, experts from our Climate and Energy, Fisheries, and Wildlife Work Groups collaborated to provide a detailed set of comments on the 147-page Draft Environmental Impact …
Read More >