Increasing renewable energy generation while decreasing dependence on coal power plants in Wisconsin can lower rate-payer's energy costs, according to a report presented to legislators Monday.
While the state has seen a 93 percent increase in renewable energy generation from 2006 to 2010, the Wisconsin Energy Business Association (WEBA) concluded further increasing production of renewable energy would help keep energy costs down.
"Renewable resources like wind power, with fixed capital costs, improving technology and zero fuel costs, contribute to stable energy prices," the report stated. Renewable energy sources are defined as biomass, solar, biogas and wind.
The WEBA report said the single most important reason for recent increases in Wisconsin electric rates is continued heavy reliance on coal plants.
Since the state has no coal, oil or natural gas reserves of its own, WEBA estimated fossil fuel dependence costs Wisconsin over $700 million per year. About two-thirds of the state's electricity is supplied from coal.
