Where are they now?: Blaze

He was named in honor of blaze orange worn by Wisconsin hunters, but Blaze the peregrine falcon prefers camouflage when he’s on the hunt. The young adult was recently spotted in Glendale, blending into his surroundings.

Blaze (middle) was one of three chicks born at the Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee in 2020. Our customers voted to name him and his siblings, Brandy and Hoppy, after some of our favorite things about Wisconsin. 

Paul Sparks spotted Blaze in May at Kletzsch Park in Glendale and reached out to our peregrine falcon expert, Greg Septon. Sparks sent us these pictures and gave us permission to share them. 

Sightings like this one are always exciting, because after our peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest, we never know if we’ll see them again. Septon was able to make the identification thanks to the small bands we attached to Blaze’s legs while he was still a nestling. 

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

Don’t let a balloon blunder leave your neighborhood in the dark

Whether you’re celebrating Dad or grads this weekend, there is one party staple that could turn your backyard bash into a blackout — a balloon.

Every year, thousands of our customers lose power in balloon-related outages. Over 20,000 We Energies customers lost power in 2020 due to balloons coming into contact with our power lines and other equipment. 

Not only can balloons knock out power, the short circuit from the balloon also can cause power lines to fall to the ground, creating a dangerous situation. 

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or graduation, or just hosting a summer get-together, follow these steps to keep your family safe and the power on:

• When possible, keep balloons inside. 
• Never release balloons outside.
• Make sure all balloons are tied securely to a weight that’s heavy enough to keep them from flying away.
• When you’re done with balloons, let the air out and throw them in the trash.
• Never try to retrieve a balloon that has become entangled in a power line. 

If you spot a balloon stuck in our equipment, give us a call at 800-662-4797. 

Bye bye, birdies: We Energies peregrine falcon chicks begin to leave the nest

Two sets of our peregrine falcon parents are officially empty nesters. The chicks born this spring at our power plants in Oak Creek and Milwaukee have learned to fly.

“Fauci” was the first chick to spread his wings at the Oak Creek Power Plant nest box, followed by his brothers “Checkers” and “Beaker.” Over at the Valley Power Plant nest box, “Kizzmekia” was the first to leave. All of the baby falcons were named in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The fledglings will spend the next few weeks learning how to hunt prey and mastering their flying skills. After that, they’ll head off in separate directions to start their own lives. 

There’s still plenty of action on our live nest box cameras. The chicks born at the Port Washington Generating Station are younger and will likely stick around for at least another week.

This year’s class of chicks brings the total number of peregrines hatched, named and banded at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) power plants to 421 since our recovery efforts began in the mid-1990s.

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to Wisconsin’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

Introducing Fauci, Energizer and Courage: Peregrine falcon chicks officially named and banded

They grow up so quickly! The We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) peregrine falcon chicks are moving on to the next stage of their lives. Thousands of people voted to name the baby birds in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the 11 chicks born at our power plants have been given their names and their identification bands. 

Oak Creek Power Plant 

From left to right: 

• Fauci, in honor of health care workers
• Checkers, in honor of grocery store workers
• Beaker, in honor of scientists

Port Washington Power Plant

From left to right: 

• Cheers, in honor of restaurant and bar workers
• Hugs, in honor of parents and guardians
• Harvest, in honor of farmers

Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee

From left to right: 

• Kizzmekia, in honor of vaccinators
• Sparkle, in honor of cleaning crews
• Energizer, in honor of utility workers

Weston Power Plant in Rothschild

From left to right: 

• Courage, in honor of everyone making sacrifices
• Siren, in honor of first responders

About the bandings:

During the banding, our peregrine falcon manager gently places a towel over the chick’s head to calm it down. He then carefully attaches a small metal band to each leg. The bands allow people to contact us and let us know if they’ve spotted one of our peregrines in the wild.

This year’s chicks are just starting to leave the nest. Make sure to tune into our live nest box cameras before they say goodbye!

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

‘Fauci’ soars to the top of peregrine falcon naming contest

Beers have been named after him, bobbleheads have been made in his likeness and now Dr. Anthony Fauci will receive yet another high-flying honor. “Fauci” is the top vote-getter in our peregrine falcon chick naming contest. 

People across Wisconsin voted to name our peregrine falcon chicks in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. With thousands of votes cast, the winners of this year’s contest are (in order): 

• Fauci in honor of health care workers
• Beaker in honor of scientists
• Checkers in honor of grocery store workers 
• Siren in honor of first responders 
• Courage in honor of everyone making sacrifices to help others
• Sparkle in honor of cleaning crews 
• Kizzmekia in honor of vaccinators
• Energizer in honor of utility workers
• Harvest in honor of farmers
• Hugs in honor of parents and guardians
• Cheers in honor of restaurant and bar workers
• Keanu in honor of bus drivers 
• Teach in honor of teachers 

We’ll be using these names for the peregrine falcon chicks born at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) power plants this spring. So far, nine chicks have hatched at Milwaukee’s Valley, Oak Creek and Weston power plants. We’re still waiting on four eggs to hatch at the Port Washington Generating Station.

Even though voting is done, you can still watch the chicks on our live cameras as they continue to grow, build up strength and learn to fly. They won’t leave the nest for a few more weeks. 

The falcon chicks will formally receive their names and identification bands in the coming weeks.

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 410 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

We Energies Foundation providing $50,000 to support public safety efforts through Rewarding Responders Grant

Each day, first responders dedicate themselves to improving safety in our communities. To support the efforts of these courageous men and women, the We Energies Foundation is offering $50,000 to area emergency response agencies through its Rewarding Responders Grant. Eligible agencies can apply for this year’s grant now through June 15.

The We Energies Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant assists emergency response agencies with purchasing lifesaving equipment or vital training for their members. These items help strengthen public safety in communities throughout Wisconsin.

Supporting those who serve with essential safety items

In 2020 the We Energies Foundation provided $50,000 to help 32 agencies purchase equipment or training. Some of the items purchased through the 2020 grants include carbon monoxide meters, heavy-duty rescue saws, thermal imaging cameras and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

“Last year’s grant allowed us to purchase the same combustible gas detector We Energies uses, helping us identify natural gas leaks faster, and keeping our citizens and firefighters safer,” said Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski.

Applying for a grant

Emergency response agencies are eligible to receive a grant if they:

• Operate in the We Energies electric or natural gas service area.

• Demonstrate the equipment or training they will acquire is part of a well-planned effort to improve public safety. Grants also may be used for safety-related projects that are unique, one-time efforts.

• Did not receive a grant in 2020.

• Complete an online grant application.

A limited number of grants of up to $2,000 are available to eligible departments. Interested agencies can apply or learn more about the grant here.

We Energies celebrates Arbor Day with City of Port Washington

We Energies and the City of Port Washington celebrated Arbor Day by planting a Swamp Burr Oak Hybrid tree near the shores of Lake Michigan at Coal Dock Park.

The tree was planted on land that was once part of the unloading area for coal when the Port Washington Generation Station relied on coal to produce energy. The plant now uses natural gas to help power our customers’ homes and businesses. We Energies has worked with the City of Port Washington to transform the land from industrial use into a park that the community can enjoy.

Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke thanked We Energies for its commitment to the community and a brighter future. “On behalf of myself and my family, we are grateful for the investment going into making the park an environmental corridor and another resource for Port Washington to enjoy,” Neitke said.

During the event, We Energies Regional Forester Paul Fliss accepted the Tree Line USA award on behalf of We Energies. This annual award recognizes We Energies’ commitment of time, education, effort and dollars spent over the past year for its tree program and promotion of the benefits of trees.

“To see this lasting legacy of trees grow and mature is another step in We Energies’ commitment to a bright, sustainable future for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Fliss.

If you’re planning on planting your own tree in celebration of Arbor Day, or if you’re doing any sort of digging in your yard, you must contact Diggers Hotline by calling 811 at least three days before you dig. This simple, free phone call will help you avoid striking underground natural gas and electrical cables, and keep you and your family safe.