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.

Vote to name our peregrine falcon chicks after the heroes and helpers of the pandemic

From health care workers to teachers, journalists to delivery drivers and farmers to utility workers — so many people stepped up and continue to make a difference throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To recognize these heroes and helpers, we are naming this year’s peregrine falcon chicks in their honor.

Starting today and running through Tuesday, May 11, you can vote for your favorite heroes and helpers names. 

The top names will be given to the falcon chicks born later this month at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) power plants across the state.

Choose from:

Beaker — in honor of the scientists whose research and breakthroughs have helped keep us informed and safe. 

Cargo — in honor of the U.S. Postal Service and delivery drivers who have made sure we received important letters and packages all year long. 

Checkers — in honor of the grocery store checkers, baggers and stockers making sure we can safely feed our families.  

Cheers — in honor of the toast we’ll give when we can clink our glasses together in restaurants and bars once more, and the chefs, waiters and bartenders who will make it possible. 

Energizer — in honor of the utility workers who have kept the lights on and the energy flowing to our homes, hospitals and schools.

Fauci — in honor of all the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly to take care of us when we needed it the most. Named after Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Harvest — in honor of the farmers who are getting fresh produce, meat and dairy products to our tables. 

Hugs — in honor of the parents, guardians and caregivers who are balancing more tasks than ever before and still manage to give the best hugs.

Keanu — in honor of all of the bus drivers who have gotten us to our destinations safely (much like Keanu Reeves’ character in the movie Speed). 

Kizzmekia — in honor of everyone who is helping to provide vaccines. Named after Kizzmekia Corbett, an American viral immunologist at the Vaccine Research Center at NIAID.

Murrow — in honor of all of today’s reporters, editors and photojournalists making sure we’re well-informed. Named after famed journalist Edward R. Murrow.

Siren — in honor of the police officers, firefighters and EMTs who have kept us safe while responding to emergencies.

Sparkle — in honor of the cleaning crews called in to sanitize homes and workspaces and leave them sparkling clean. 

Sprocket — in honor of the manufacturers who have made sure we’re stocked up on essentials.

Teach — in honor of the teachers who have had the difficult task of educating our kids both in the classroom and online. 

Courage — in honor of anyone else who may not fit into these categories, but who made sacrifices to help others in need. 

You can vote as many times as you want to make sure your favorite names make the cut. Be sure to help us #SquawktheVote by sharing this link with all of your friends.

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 welcomes first peregrine falcon chick of 2021

We’re celebrating the first birthday of the 2021 peregrine falcon nesting season today! One of the peregrine falcon eggs at the Oak Creek Power Plant has hatched and a second is underway. 

Proud parents Michael and Essity let us catch a glimpse of their first fluffy chick early this afternoon.

Now that we have a chick, it’s time to start thinking about names. Following a year of extraordinary resilience and strength, inspiration for our naming contest was not in short supply. Stay tuned for more details tomorrow!

In the meantime, the remaining eggs at the Oak Creek Power Plant could hatch at any time now. We’re also keeping a close eye on 11 eggs laid at three other nesting sites. You can catch all of the action on our live nest box webcams 24/7. 

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-1990s, 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.

Customers urged to stay connected if they are behind on bills

We Energies is urging customers who are behind on their energy bills to contact us as soon as possible to avoid disconnection. 

Per the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the state’s residential disconnection moratorium will expire April 15. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked with our customers by offering enhanced payment plans and help with heating assistance. Because of our efforts, less than 1% of our customers are at risk for disconnection.

Disconnection is always a last resort

If you are behind on your bill, visit we-energies.com or call us at 800-842-4565. We are here to work with you to arrange a payment plan and connect you to financial assistance options. 

Energy assistance is available

Some customers may qualify for energy assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, eligibility requirements have been adjusted to allow additional customers to receive heating and electric assistance quickly. 

Simple ways to manage costs

There are many ways to manage your energy costs at home. Visit our website for a handy checklist. 

As always, if you have questions about your bill or think you might have trouble paying, call us at 800-842-4565.

We Energies employees surprise line mechanic intern injured in hit-and-run crash with heartwarming donation

When Dayce Woodard, a We Energies line mechanic intern, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash, his co-workers rallied to help him. Employee members of the American Association of Blacks in Energy started a fundraiser to help Dayce. In just a few weeks, generous We Energies employees had contributed more than $4,000. 

Dayce spent weeks in the hospital recovering from his injuries. His family was told at one point he might lose one of his legs. But he refused to give up and today he is back home and working to build up his strength. 

With his family’s help, a small group of employees gathered to surprise Dayce with the donations.  Jennifer Buchanan, internship program manager, presented Dayce with a Fitbit, a set of weights, an exercise step and a yearlong gym membership to help him continue his physical therapy. 

"We want to gift you with these items as motivation through your recovery so we can see you here soon," Buchanan said. Dayce was thrilled to be able to continue his strength training at home.

But Buchanan realized that Dayce’s mental health was just as important as his physical health. She managed to track down an elusive PlayStation 5 to brighten his spirits. When Dayce opened the gift, he was at a loss for words. 

WITI-TV (Fox6) was on hand to capture the surprise. 

Employees also raised enough money to give Dayce a $2,275 check to use toward vocational college. Dayce says he plans to pursue line mechanic training as soon as he is physically able.  

To provide some extra motivation, Buchanan framed a picture of Dayce climbing a pole during his internship. When Dayce saw it, he said: “I can’t wait to get back out there.” 

He has countless We Energies employees rooting for his success.

We Energies peregrine falcons welcome 12 early Easter eggs

Enjoy an early Easter egg hunt from the comfort of your couch by checking out our peregrine falcon nest box cameras! This year, there are a dozen eggs to be found at four nest boxes across Wisconsin. If conditions are just right, the first ‘peeps’ from newborn peregrine falcons could come in just a few weeks. 

Here’s an eggs-planation of the activity at each of our nest boxes: 

Oak Creek Power Plant 

Mom and dad, Essity and Michael, are incubating four eggs. 

Port Washington Generating Station 

Mom and dad, Brinn and Beasley, are incubating one egg so far, but more could arrive in the coming days. 

Valley Power Plant 

Dad and mom, Hercules and his unbanded female mate, are incubating three eggs. 

Weston Power Plant 

Mom and dad, Rosalee and Sheldon, are incubating four eggs at the nest box hosted by our sister company Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) in Rothschild. 

Hop on over to our high-definition nest box cameras to keep an eye out for the first signs of hatching. If everything goes well, we should see our first chicks before the end of the month. We’ll also be posting updates on Twitter and Facebook. 

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-1990s, 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.