Wisconsin Public Service Commission Weighs Economic Benefits of Badger Hollow Wind Farm

Strategic Insights -

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has received a comment from the Operating Engineers Local 139 regarding the application for the Badger Hollow Wind Farm, a 118 MW wind electric generation facility. The comment highlights the importance of using local workforce and union labor to maximize economic benefits for the state and local economies. According to a study by Forward Analytics, using local workers generates between 73% and 158% more economic activity in the region than using out-of-state workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Operating Engineers Local 139 represents over 30,000 tradesmen and women and 4,000 contractors, advocating for local workforce and union labor in the Badger Hollow Wind Farm project.
  • A study by Forward Analytics found that using local workers generates between 73% and 158% more economic activity in the region than using out-of-state workers.
  • The commission considers state and local economic benefits, including the use of local workforce, when determining whether to approve a utility-scale electric generation project.
  • The Badger Hollow Project is estimated to generate 174 local jobs and $127 million in total economic benefit to Wisconsin during construction.
  • The Applicant has committed to using local union labor to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the pledge made by Wisconsin's investor-owned utilities.
  • The commission has developed a standard order point requiring a project owner/developer to report the actual mix of local versus out-of-state labor used and efforts to use apprentices.

Statistics:

  • 118 MW: The maximum capacity of the wind electric generation facility.
  • 30,000: The number of tradesmen and women represented by the Operating Engineers Local 139.
  • 4,000: The number of contractors represented by the Operating Engineers Local 139.
  • 73-158%: The increase in economic activity in the region when using local workers generated by a study by Forward Analytics.
  • 174: The estimated local jobs generated by the Badger Hollow Project during construction.
  • $127 million: The estimated total economic benefit to Wisconsin during construction.
  • March 24, 2024: The date of a pledge made by Wisconsin's investor-owned utilities to use union labor for clean energy construction.

Sources:

  • Comment from the Operating Engineers Local 139 to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), PSC Docket No. 9827-CE-100.
  • Forward Analytics, Capturing the Sun - The Economic Benefits of Using Local Workers on Wisconsin Solar Projects.
  • Wisconsin utilities pledge to use union labor for clean energy construction. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 24, 2024.
  • Final Decision dated April 10, 2023, PSC Docket No. 9810-CE-100, PSC REF# 463896.