We Energies Earns Worst Grade Since 2021 in Sierra Club's Dirty Truth Report

Strategic Insights -

We Energies has earned an F grade with a score of 6% in the Sierra Club's annual Dirty Truth Report, its worst grade since 2021. The report grades 75 utilities on their plans to retire coal plants, not build new gas plants, and transition to clean energy by 2035. The report highlights the failure of utility companies to meet the clean energy transition, instead doubling down on fossil fuels and increasing electricity bills at a faster rate than inflation.

Key Takeaways:

  • We Energies earned an F grade with a score of 6% in the Sierra Club's Dirty Truth Report, its worst grade since 2021.
  • The report grades 75 utilities on their plans to retire coal plants, not build new gas plants, and transition to clean energy by 2035.
  • Utility companies scored an aggregate of 15 out of 100 points, earning an F, the lowest score since the first year of the report in 2021.
  • The report found that utility companies are failing to meet the clean energy transition by championing renewable energy instead doubling down on fossil fuels.
  • The Oak Creek coal plant closure has been delayed, and We Energies has continued to expand gas production, ignoring renewable energy, the cheapest form of energy.
  • We Energies' parent company, WEC Energy Group, also earned an F grade this year, highlighting the continued failure of the company to transition to clean energy.

Statistics:

  • We Energies scored 6% in the Sierra Club's Dirty Truth Report, its worst grade since 2021.
  • The average score for all 75 utilities was 15 out of 100 points, earning an F.
  • The report found that electricity bills are increasing faster than inflation, with a compound annual growth rate of 3-5%.
  • We Energies has continued to expand gas production, with a recent announcement to add over 100 MW of new gas capacity.
  • The Sierra Club has graded We Energies with an F in three out of the last four Dirty Truth Reports.

Sources:

  • Sierra Club - Dirty Truth Report 2022
  • Sierra Club news release - We Energies brings home an 'F' grade for expanding gas, delaying Oak Creek coal plant closure
  • Sierra Club website - Interactive webpage for Dirty Truth Report