Significant progress achieved in bluff cleanup

The recent aerial photo (at right) shows the extensive progress made since a bluff collapse occurred at our Oak Creek site on Oct. 31.

A 40-ton trailer pulled from the shoreline on Nov. 21 was the final large item to be removed. All items that potentially could have contained fuel or other oil-based fluids also are out of the water as well as the majority of the smaller construction items.

Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Wisconsin DNR and We Energies have jointly concluded that the amount of material that went into Lake Michigan as a result of the collapse is far less than originally estimated. The original estimate of 2,500 cubic yards was a very rough, very preliminary estimate made on the day of the collapse. Now that the Coast Guard, DNR and We Energies have had a chance to thoroughly examine the bluff collapse site, we believe that approximately 725 cubic yards of dry material is the amount that entered the lake.


Read statement on latest information available on bluff collapse and amount of material that went into Lake Michigan. [PDF]

Remaining work includes removal of small debris, additional sediment sampling and restoration of the seawall. The bluff has been stabilized, and the material that slid down the slope has been removed from the area.

Water quality test results released Nov. 11 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) showed no threat to public health or safety.

DNR page on Oak Creek bluff collapse cleanup, including water quality test results

“Water quality at the spill site is close to the normal water quality of Lake Michigan,” said Lloyd Eagan, DNR water leader for southern Wisconsin. “Outside the spill site, the water quality is normal. There will not be long term impacts to the aquatic environment once the spilled material is removed.”

We continue to work cooperatively with the DNR, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Environmental Protection Agency on the safe and responsible cleanup of the site. We used both land-based and marine-based cranes to lift materials from the water. Most of the material that slid down the now-stabilized slope has been removed.

A portion of the expenses, such as those incurred to remove material and equipment that washed into lake, will be incurred by the company this year as an operational expense and will not be passed on to customers. Completing the root cause analysis of the bluff failure at the site is necessary before we can accurately answer the entire question of who will pay for the recovery costs. Results of the root cause analysis, for example, will help determine whether insurance coverage will apply for any of the costs.

Background

The collapse of a portion of an embankment on the south end of the Oak Creek Power Plant site gave way at approximately 10:45 a.m. Oct. 31. Soil and several tool storage trailers used for construction activity slid down the bluff to the Lake Michigan shoreline. Several construction storage trailers and vehicles were pushed into Lake Michigan as a result.

About a dozen personnel were working in the vicinity at the time of the incident. We accounted for all workers, and no injuries were reported. Most of the construction workers were able to resume work.

The area of the collapse is south of the location where a $900 million air-quality control system for the original units at the Oak Creek Power Plant is under construction. The collapse did not affect operations at the original Oak Creek units or the newer units at the site expansion.

Some of the material that washed into the lake included coal ash used in the 1950s to fill a ravine on the site, which was a common practice by utilities at the time. The practice was discontinued several decades ago.

Coal ash is made up mostly of silica, which is similar to sand, and has not been classified as carcinogenic by the EPA. The agency currently classifies coal ash as nonhazardous. Coal ash is re-used in many ways, including road building and construction.


Site on Oct. 31, the day the collapse occurred.

Boy Scouts set to attend 57th annual Electricity Merit Badge Clinic

A 57-year tradition continues tomorrow, when we host the Milwaukee-area Boy Scouts participating in the Electricity Merit Badge Clinic in our Public Service Building auditorium. 

Approximately 120 Scouts and Scout leaders are expected to attend the clinic. Eighteen employee volunteers will administer written tests and staff project-testing stations. Scouts will demonstrate their electricity knowledge by building electromagnets, splicing insulated wires and completing a written test. To earn the Electricity Merit Badge, Scouts must pass 11 electrical requirements.

Ted Sniegowski and Dennis Mersenski, employees at our Oak Creek plant, organized the clinic again this year. “This is a great opportunity for Boy Scouts to learn about electrical safety and careers in the utility business,” Sniegowski said. “Our company’s commitment to the merit badge program has helped thousands of youth develop technical skills and master the basics of electricity.”

The Electricity Merit Badge is one of the original merit badges adopted by the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Since then, more than 660,000 Boy Scouts nationwide have earned an Electricity Merit Badge.

Menomonee Falls Service Center opens

Our new Menomonee Falls Service Center is now operational. Located at W140 N9100 Lilly Road, the service center is larger than the old facility and is expected to improve operational efficiencies and reduce overhead costs.

The facility was built to energy-efficient LEED-certified standards, including:

• Water-efficient landscaping
• Low-flow water fixtures
• Optimized energy performance
• Provisions for alternative transportation
• Recycled building materials
• Construction materials from the region to reduce transportation- and energy-associated costs
• Low-emitting materials
• Indoor air quality management during construction
• Energy-efficient lighting systems that maximize natural light for interior workspaces

The new service center features:

• Space for office and technical workers
• Storm mobilization area
• Meeting rooms
• Locker and lavatory
• Fitness center
• Lunch/break room
• Storeroom
• 10-bay garage
• Fleet repair bay
• Day lighting and energy efficient design features
• Training area
• Elevated loading dock

The old service center is closed permanently and will be demolished and undergo environmental remediation. The land will be used by the developer and the village of Menomonee Falls for mixed-used development.

Electric line crews continue to work out of our Calumet Service Center on 73rd and Calumet Road in Milwaukee; however they will relocate to the North Service Center in early 2012, and the Calumet Service will close permanently. Combining resources and closing Calument is expected to reduce facility operating and transportation costs, improve customer response time and enhance work management.

Klappa serves as master of ceremonies for inauguration of UWM Chancellor Lovell

Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive of Wisconsin Energy, served as the master of ceremonies for the inauguration of Michael R. Lovell, the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM), on Friday, Oct. 14.

“Our event today officially ratifies Dr. Lovell as chancellor, but it also celebrates this university, the greater Milwaukee community and the entire state of Wisconsin,” Klappa said at the event, which was held on campus in the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.

In his remarks, Klappa thanked several who previously served UWM as chancellor including – J. Martin Klotsche, Werner A. Baum, Leon Schur, Frank Horton, John Schroeder and Robert Greenstreet.

Many noted members of the university and civic communities spoke at the event, including:

• Michael Spector, president of the Board of Regents

• Dr. Mark Schwartz, representing the faculty’s University Committee

• Jean Salzer, chair of the Academic Staff Committee

• Alex Kostal, Student Association president

• Chris Abele, Milwaukee County executive

• Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee

• Sen. Herb Kohl

• Dr. Harvey Borovetz, a special colleague of Chancellor Lovell, who is a distinguished professor and chair of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering

• Bill Haberman, chairman of the board of the UWM Foundation

• Kevin Reilly, president of the University of Wisconsin System

Reilly and Dr. Schwartz bestowed the symbol of office – a medallion – on Lovell. “It is now my pleasure and honor to bestow this symbol of office and to charge that it be worn honorably and well during what promises to be a long, successful and happy term of office,” said Reilly.

After Lovell’s remarks, Klappa concluded the ceremonies. “Chancellor Lovell, congratulations. You’ll be an outstanding leader at an exciting time for UWM.”

Klappa is a 1972 graduate cum laude of UWM, with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He is a member of the UWM School of Business Advisory Council. In 2011, Klappa received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from UWM in recognition of his support of UWM’s growth initiative.

Klappa hosts M7 news conference to announce addition of 76 jobs at Bostik, Inc.



Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin Energy, hosted a Milwaukee 7 (M7) news conference today at the corporate headquarters of Bostik, Inc., in Wauwatosa. At the event, Bostik announced it was adding 76 new research and development (R&D) and corporate positions at its Wauwatosa location on Watertown Plank Road.

“Bostik’s operation here soon will become a global center of excellence for adhesives technology,” said Klappa, who also is co-chair of the M7. “The products developed here will serve Bostik’s worldwide customer base and strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the adhesives industry,” he said.

Klappa noted that “the global competition to attract jobs – especially high-skilled, high-wage manufacturing jobs like Bostik’s – is relentless. And the announcement we’re making today is the direct result of leadership and teamwork.

“Leadership, of course, is about setting a long-term economic vision, but it’s also about acting decisively on real-time opportunities to attract jobs like those Bostik will be adding here in ‘Tosa.

“Quite simply, the leadership and commitment of our partners in the state of Wisconsin and the city of Wauwatosa made today’s announcement possible,” said Klappa.

Bob Marquette, Bostik president for the Americas, said that the company considered several other options for the location of their global R&D operations, including Shanghai and Paris. “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the efforts of the M7, the state of Wisconsin and the city of Wauwatosa. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the collaboration of those groups to help us accomplish this initiative.”

Wauwatosa Mayor Jill Didier attended the event. “There’s good reason why Bostik has called Wauwatosa home for more than 25 years and is making a considerable investment to expand here. Wauwatosa is well-known for its attentiveness to the needs of business. Under the mayor’s leadership, ‘Tosa has continued to build on the assets that are attractive to companies and residents alike, making it all the more appealing to companies like Bostik.”

Bostik is among the largest manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the world. The company provides bonding solutions for the construction, consumer, transportation, packaging, personal care and hygiene, and industrial assembly markets. Bostik currently employs 164 in Wisconsin, with 4,600 globally. In September 2011, Bostik selected Wauwatosa for its consolidated corporate and R&D operations.

Klappa is one of the founding members of the Milwaukee 7, which was launched in September 2005 to create a regional, cooperative economic development platform for the seven counties of southeast Wisconsin: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha and Washington. Its mission is to attract, retain and grow diverse businesses and talent.

We Energies women assist Habitat project

For the third consecutive year, a group of We Energies women helped construct a Habitat for Humanity home-building project in Milwaukee as part of Habitat’s Women Build program.

“It was a rewarding experience, and we got dirty,” said Patty Galante, manager, customer service – customer operations. “We were responsible for ensuring the walls were properly secured and flat, which involved tightening screws that had popped out. The women crew chiefs from Habitat were very particular that the house had to be perfect for the new owners.”

Bonnie Mohammadi, senior IT applications consultant – information technology services, said learning how to complete a factory edge to butt together the sheets of drywall was valuable. “I also learned how to use a power drill. I had fun, and I made a difference for someone,” she said.

“It was really nice to bond with other employees across the We Energies fleet,” said LaQuita Evans, supervisor – power generation. “I also learned some skills that can save me a few bucks on my own home.”

June Light, collection and litigation specialist – customer services, said the overall experience, including sweeping and hauling debris to a Dumpster, was rewarding because she was helping someone who would soon occupy a new home.

Women Build is an educational and networking opportunity for women to come together to build and fund an entire Habitat for Humanity home. Women from all backgrounds learn construction skills as they help build the home.

The We Energies team will return to the Milwaukee project site on Oct. 29 to help complete the construction.

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity website

Presque Isle Power Plant discussions begin

We're beginning to consider options for the future of Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, Mich., because of proposed changes in federal environmental regulations. The options include:

• Retiring the plant
• Converting it from coal to natural gas
• Adding a new natural gas combined-cycle plant (coincident with retirement)
• Adding new air quality controls

We believe that new transmission is the best long-term option, and we are working with American Transmission Company to accelerate planning for new transmission facilities.

 No decision has been made on possible retirement of the plant, but current and potential federal environmental regulations make it necessary to consider the plant's future. All of the options require considerable development time.

The decision must make economic sense for customers and ensure a robust and reliable power supply for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Presque Isle Power Plant fact sheet