MGE Sets New Goal

Goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050 is based on the latest climate science.

MGE's CEO has announced a bold and ambitious goal – net-zero carbon electricity for our customers by 2050. 

"We need ambitious and crucial reductions in carbon emissions that align with the work of the scientific community, specifically the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its assessment of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050," Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler said. 

Working together, we can reach our goals.

MGE already has been on a path to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, having reduced carbon emissions 23% since 2005 and targeting carbon reductions of at least 40% by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050 from 2005 levels. 

"Since introducing our carbon reduction targets, we have always said that if we can go further faster by working with our customers, we will. We believe it is important to articulate a long-term goal that is both visionary and based on the best climate science available. Our net-zero carbon goal is aggressive, and it will require technologies not yet commercially available or cost-effective, but it is where we need to be," Keebler said.   

Climate Science Partnership 

We'll also be working with scientists at the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Madison, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences to help evaluate our net-zero carbon goal in the context of the analyses done by the IPCC. The UW will provide expert input and perspective to ensure our goal is consistent with the IPCC assessment.

Energy 2030 framework

In 2015, we introduced our Energy 2030 framework, which was informed by community input and laid out our objectives for building your community energy company for the future committed to:

• Providing customers with options they want today and in the future,
• Helping customers use energy efficiently and control future costs for all customers,
• Transitioning MGE to a more environmentally sustainable energy supply,
• Providing a dynamic electric grid that can integrate all energy technologies to serve customers, and
• Ensuring that new and changing technology serves all customers equitably.

MGE remains committed to these objectives as we work together toward a more sustainable future for our communities.

"Our net-zero carbon goal is a reflection of our commitment not only to long-term sustainability, rooted in the latest climate science, but also a reflection of our commitment to our customers and communities." 

Strategies for deep decarbonization

Our key strategies for achieving deep decarbonization are consistent with strategies identified by the IPCC and in the U.S. Mid-Century Strategy (MCS) for Deep Decarbonization. Both the IPCC report and the MCS rely on decarbonizing electric generation, using energy efficiently, and electrifying other energy uses, including transportation. These are the strategies MGE is pursuing to achieve deep decarbonization. 

Stay informed about our efforts and how we can work together by visiting energy2030together.com.

published: May-14-2019