Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

AI-assisted summary Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission approved two natural gas plants after a 15-month review and public input.

The plants aim to provide reliable and affordable energy, addressing seasonal demand fluctuations.

Opponents cite a health study with admitted data errors, while We Energies emphasizes the plants’ compliance with environmental regulations.

It was disappointing to read the recent opinion piece from Walnut Way, which disregarded the facts surrounding the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s approval of two new natural gas plants in Oak Creek and Kenosha County.

In its unanimous decision, the PSC highlighted the role these plants will play to provide customers with reliable energy — every day and every season.

This decision followed a thorough 15-month regulatory process, including public hearings and thousands of public comments in support of the projects.

The PSC and its expert staff evaluated the data, considered community input and reached a conclusion grounded in evidence: These facilities are essential to maintaining reliable, affordable power for Wisconsin families and businesses.

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Meanwhile opponents continue to use inflammatory language and discredited claims to mislead the public. That helps no one. Let’s stick to the facts.

Natural gas plants will meet all local, state and federal regulations

These new natural gas plants will meet all local, state and federal environmental and health regulations.

Some critics have pointed to a so-called health study to oppose the project. What they don’t mention is that one of the authors of that study admitted under oath at a March 13 Public Service Commission hearing to citing incorrect data, one of many errors that rendered the report unreliable.

These approved projects are part of our common sense approach that is focused on reliability and affordability.

The Oak Creek and Paris plants — along with other proposed natural gas investments — will ensure we can meet energy demand in every season, during every kind of weather.

Beyond reliability, these facilities will support new jobs, economic growth and continued investment in southeastern Wisconsin.

We are making the grid cleaner and greener while ensuring the lights stay on — no matter the weather — because we know that’s what matters most to our customers.

Mike Hooper is president of We Energies.