A bi-partisan group of 39 lawmakers and legislative staff toured two of the world’s premier mining equipment manufacturers in Milwaukee in November on the eve of an expected legislative battle over an iron ore permitting bill. More than 70 people participated in the tours sponsored by WMC, Joy Global, Inc. and Caterpillar, Inc. “It’s critical that lawmakers understand the significance of mining manufacturing and the high-wage jobs they sustain in Milwaukee, and why reforming our iron mining laws will create more jobs in our state,” said Scott Manley, WMC Vice President of Government Relations.
The attendees of Mining Manufacturing Day stand in the shadow of the full-scale mining shovel on display in the parking lot of P & H Mining Equipment in Milwaukee.
Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), left, and Senator Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) at Caterpillar Inc. headquarters in South Milwaukee during Mining Manufacturing Day in November.
Ask the WMC Board
From your vantage point as head of one of Wisconsin’s leading energy providers, what does a second term of President Obama in the Whitehouse mean for the energy industry? Will further EPA restrictions be harmful to your business, or to that of other industries here in Wisconsin?
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ur country’s energy policy has been more prominently discussed and debated during the past few years than at any time in recent memory. As President Obama begins his second term, energy policy will continue to be front and center, and as an electric and gas service provider, Alliant Energy remains very engaged and interested in EPA regulations and energyrelated actions that impact our company - and ultimately the cost of energy for our customers. At Alliant Energy, we strive to show great care for the environment and we are committed to compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Our company is investing more than $1 billion over the next four years to improve the environmental profile of our largest generating stations and we are retiring many of our older and smaller, less efficient coal-fired power plants. As we work to educate policymakers on current and proposed regulations, our approach has been to fight for a level playing field in terms of impacts between the Midwest and other regions so our customers’ energy rates will remain competitive. We also push hard for compliance flexibility so we can meet regulations with the most cost-effective and efficient solutions for our company and our customers.
Patricia Kampling Chairman, President & CEO Alliant Energy
No matter the leadership in Washington, we need to ensure that new regulations are technologically practical and include reasonable timelines for implementation. We all want a healthier environment, but there is a cost to our customers when new regulations are added. We urge policymakers to carefully and thoughtfully analyze the impacts on jobs and economic development, as well as on families and our communities, when proposed regulations are considered. Our leaders must all work together to find the right balance so we can enjoy environmental and financial health for American families and businesses.