Building Wisconsin’s Future With Reliable Energy & Good Jobs
By The Wisconsin Building Trades Council Board Of Directors
As the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, we act as the unifying voice for the 40,000 hardworking men and women who build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our state moving forward. Today, we are speaking out in support of We Energies’ plan to build new natural gas infrastructure. These projects are cutting emissions, keeping energy affordable and secure, and putting thousands of union members to work.
Reliable energy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. These proposed plants are part of an important “all of the above” energy strategy that does not solely rely on one type of power generation.
Like all major utilities in the state, We Energies continues to invest in clean and low-carbon energy. These projects are reducing emissions, keeping energy costs affordable, and employing thousands of union members in family-supporting jobs. Our members have already played a significant role in building Wisconsin’s renewable energy infrastructure all over Wisconsin, including the Paris Solar Energy Center and Darien Solar Energy Center, which are now powering our state with clean energy.
We take immense pride in our work and in building infrastructure that supports Wisconsin’s future. But we also know firsthand that the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. We need power sources that can step in to make sure homes and businesses have the energy they need — every hour, of every day, of every season. We Energies is proposing to build natural gas power plants that can run when renewable energy can’t get the job done.
Despite what some voices on the fringe are saying, reliable energy is something we can all agree on.
Our world has never depended more on electricity to power our lives. From the coffee maker that turns on early in the morning, to charging up our cell phones, running our refrigerators, air conditioners, libraries, schools, factories, and offices — we rely on power and expect it to be there.
These new natural gas plants are also clearly key to supporting the strong economic growth taking place across southeastern Wisconsin. We’ve heard firsthand from the companies that are building new plants and expanding businesses that affordable and reliable energy is critical. You can’t run a manufacturing plant, hospital, restaurant, or data center if the energy isn’t there.
The skilled men and women who will build these projects also live in the communities where they are proposed—we’re your neighbors, the familiar faces in the grocery store checkout line. Our children share classrooms with yours, and we cheer from the same bleachers at the high school football game. We have deep personal stakes in ensuring these projects are safe, responsible, and beneficial to the long-term health of our environment and economy.
This project isn’t just about energy—it’s about people. It’s about the thousands of union workers who will build these plants, support their families, and reinvest their earnings back into their communities. It’s about ensuring Wisconsin remains a leader in both economic growth and energy security.
For these reasons, and many more, the Wisconsin Building Trades Council proudly supports We Energies’ plan to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy infrastructure. We urge policymakers, businesses, and residents to support a commonsense approach that keeps the lights on, our communities strong, and our workers on the job.
The Wisconsin Building Trades Council’s 15 member unions represent more than 40,000 voices from every building and construction trade in Wisconsin. We are working together to create a stronger, healthier, and more successful future for our workforce, our communities, and our state.
