Background/Timeline
PLEASE NOTE: PDF files require Acrobat Reader 5.0 or greater. If you don't have this version, you can download your free copy from Adobe.
- Proposed Start-up Timeline
- Timeline
- Site Diagram
- Project Application
- News Releases
- Public Education Information
- Hearing Preparation Materials
- Letters to Neighbors
- Weston 4 Informational Meeting
- Listing of Events
- History
- Related Information
Proposed Start-up Timeline
- Commercial Operation - June 2008
- Environmental Compliance Testing - March 2008
- Boiler Tuning - January 2008 - March 2008
- First Synchronization (first MW generated) - December 2007
- Steam Blow Cleaning - September 2007
- First Fire in Boiler on Gas - August 2007
- Boiler Hydro testing - April 2007
- Energize Auxiliary Power - December 2006
- Operating staff training begins - October 2006
- Operating staff hired - September 2006
Timeline
- Operational - 2008
- Groundbreaking - November 8,2004 - completed
- Decision Reached - September 23,2004 - completed
- Public hearing at Weston - August 10, 2004 - completed
- Technical Hearings, Madison - August 3-5, 2004 - completed
- EIS is finalized - July 1, 2004 - completed
- Public comment period on Draft EIS - completed
- Draft EIS is available - completed March 26, 2004
- PSCW deems application complete - completed - February 11, 2004
- Project Application Submitted - 3rd Quarter 2003 - completed
- Initial Announcement - 3rd Quarter 2002 - completed
Site Diagram
Weston Unit 4 will be located adjacent to the 360-megawatt Weston Unit 3, which began operating in 1981. Weston Unit 1 (60 megawatts -1954) and Weston Unit 2 (90 megawatts -1960) are also located on the 345-acre site.
Click on the image to see a larger version of the Site Diagram.
Related News Releases
- New Power Plant Produces First Electricity
(03/21/2008) - Arrowhead to Weston Power Line Dedicated
(02/05/2008) - Weston 4 OSHA Agreement Ending
(01/23/2008) - Weston 3 Power Plant Returned to Service
(01/14/2008) - Steam Blows Continue at New Weston 4 Power Plant
(01/02/2008) - New Weston Power Plant Start-up includes "Steam Blows"
(11/26/2007) - Lightning Strike to Weston 3 Power Plant Will Cause the Unit to be Off-line Until Late 2007 or Early 2008
(10/31/2007) - Weston Unit 3 Power Plant Requests Upgrade
(12/22/06) - Weston 4 Construction Passes Midway Point
(10/24/06) - Wisconsin Public Service Agrees to Settlement with Wisconsin Department of Justice Regarding Weston 4 Air Permit Omission
(08/29/06) - Severe Lightning Strike Disables Weston 3 Plant
(08/02/06) - Wisconsin Public Service Sets Electric Use Record
(07/17/06) - Weston Substation Restored to Service, Public Service Thanks Customers
(03/12/06) - Wisconsin Public Service Asks Customers for Voluntary Load Reduction
(03/11/06) - Wisconsin Public Service Files Request for Limited Judicial Review of Judge's Weston 4 Air Permit Ruling
(03/10/06) - Wisconsin Public Service Asks DNR Secretary for Limited Modification of Judge's Weston 4 Air Permit Ruling
(03/02/06) - Dairyland Power Cooperative Buys 30% Stake in Weston 4 Power Plant from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
(11/29/05) - Recycling a Habit at Weston 4 Power Plant Construction Site
(11/14/05) - OSHA Agreement Signed at Weston Power Plant
(11/02/05) - Wisconsin Public Service Requests Emissions Control Upgrade at Weston Unit 3
(06/01/05) - Dairyland & WPS Complete Energy Supply Agreement
(12/01/04) - Reasons for Higher Electric Rates in 2005 - includes Weston
(11/23/04) - Weston 4 Groundbreaking
(11/08/04) - Financial Details of Weston 4 Project
(10/26/04) - Preliminary Approval for New Weston Power Plant Granted
(09/23/04) - WPS Participates in National Mercury Reduction Research Project
(09/08/04) - WPS Appreciates Public's Power Plant Support
(08/11/04) - WPPI and WPS Sign Long-Term Power Supply Agreement
(05/11/04) - WPSC and Dairyland Power Sign Letter of Intent for Weston 4 Power
(02/16/04) - Application for Weston 4 Generator is "Complete"
(02/11/04) - Wisconsin Public Service Finalizes 2004 Electric and Natural Gas Rates
(12/19/03) - Wisconsin Public Service Reaches Weston Project Labor Agreement with Central Wisconsin Building Trades
(11/21/2003) - Wisconsin Public Service Formally Applies to State Regulators to Add Electrical Generator at its Weston Site
(09/26/2003) - "Advisory Panel" Formed to Represent Community Interests
(02/03/2003) - Wisconsin Public Service Appreciates Public Opinion
(10/30/2002) - Announcement of Plans
(09/25/2002) - WPS Resources Corporation Discusses Financial Details
(09/25/2002)
Public Education Information
- Weston 4 Will Generate a Lot More Than Electricity
[PDF: 660KB / 1 page] - Can Energy and the Environment Be Balanced?
[PDF: 724KB / 1 page] - We Need the Job-Generating Power of Weston 4
[PDF: 752KB / 1 page]
Additional Information
- The Need for More Electricity Can't Wait
[PDF: 177KB / 2 pages] - We're as Concerned About Clean Air as You Are
[PDF: 132KB / 1 page] - The Economics of Weston 4
[PDF: 92KB / 1 page]
Letters to Neighbors of Weston
- October 2007 [PDF: 22KB / 1 page]
- June 2007 [PDF: 27KB / 2 pages]
- December 2006 [PDF: 119KB / 1 page]
- October 2006 [PDF: 150KB / 1 page]
- February 2006 [PDF: 22KB / 1 page]
- January 2006 [PDF: 50KB / 1 page]
- September 2005 [PDF: 88KB / 1 page]
- May 2005 [PDF: 418KB / 1 page]
- February 2005 [PDF: 118KB / 1 page]
- December 2004 [PDF: 113KB / 1 page]
- July 2004 [PDF: 75KB / 1 page]
- May 2004 [PDF: 68KB / 1 page]
- March 2004 [PDF: 69KB / 1 page]
- February 2004 [PDF: 68KB / 1 page]
- December 2003 [PDF: 73KB / 1 page]
- July 2003 [PDF: 62KB / 1 page]
- April 2003 [PDF: 90KB / 1 page]
- November 2002 [PDF: 92KB / 1 page]
- September 2002 [PDF: 72KB / 1 page]
Listing of Events
The following is a listing of events from the initial announcement of Weston 4 up until groundbreaking. The most current construction updates will be kept up to date and are listed on the Weston 4 homepage.
December 1, 2004 - Dairyland Power Completes Agreement
On December 1, 2004, Dairyland Power Cooperative and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation completed an energy supply agreement that means Dairyland Power has agreed to acquire a 30 percent ownership share, or at least 150-megawatts of the 500-megawatt Weston 4 power plant that is being built and expected to be operational in 2008. News Release
November 8, 2004 - Groundbreaking Complete
With the turning of a few shovels full of earth, Weston 4's groundbreaking was complete. From left to right - Vilas Machmueller-Marathon County Board; Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; Rick Smith-Chairman, Village of Kronenwetter; Neal Torney-President, Village of Rothschild and Larry Weyers-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Public Service.
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Wisconsin Public Service Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Weyers, along with a number of local, county and state officials assisted in the official groundbreaking of the new Weston 4 Power Plant on November 8, 2004. This ceremony officially begins the four year construction period of the new 500-megawatt power plant. News Release
September 23, 2004 - PSCW Grants Project Approval
On September 23, 2004, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation to construct the new Weston 4 Power Plant to meet energy demand and ensure reliability for electric customers. News Release
August 12, 2004 - DNR Hearings Complete
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed their public hearing for the Weston 4 air and wastewater permitting process on Thursday, August 12, 2004. The hearing was held at the Marathon County Public Library as six members of the public showed up. One person testified. The DNR and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) are both involved in the approval process of the Weston 4 facility.
August 10, 2004 - PSCW Public Hearings Complete
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) held public hearings on the Weston 4 project on August 10, 2004. During the seven hours of the hearing held in Mosinee, 86 persons testified, 72 in favor and 14 opposing. A number of support letters and resolutions were also entered into the public hearing record. The record will be reviewed by the PSCW Commissioners as they decide to approve, deny or approve pending some stipulations on the power plant project. Their decision is expected in fall of 2004: Wisconsin Public Service appreciates the public's power plant support.
August 5, 2004 - Technical Hearings Complete
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) held two and a half days of technical hearings on August 3, 4 and 5 in Madison. 51 expert witnesses testified during the hearing. The entire proceedings were recorded and will be reviewed by the PSCW Commissioners to help them make an informed decision on the Weston 4 project.
May 26, 2004 - Air Permit Complete
The Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Air Management has determined the air application submitted by Wisconsin Public Service for the Weston 4 project is complete. The application will now undergo the DNR's air permitting approval process as outlined in Wisconsin statutes. The DNR received the permit application on September 12, 2003 and determined its completeness on May 26, 2004.
March 26, 2004 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement Online
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has released the draft of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Weston 4 power plant project. The full document is accessible at the bottom of the page.
February 11, 2004 - Application "Complete"
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation's application to add a 500-megawatt electric generator to the Weston Power Plant site near Wausau has been determined as "complete" by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). Public Service received the completion notice on February 11, 2004. To learn more, view the news release.
September 26, 2003 - Application Filed
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to build and operate a 500-megawatt electric generator using advanced clean coal technologies at their Weston Power Plant Site south of Wausau in Marathon County in central Wisconsin.
The entire application process involves many people. We believe in your right to express your opinion as the Commission and DNR consider this important decision.
September 9, 2003 - Public Picnic and Tour
On September 9, 2003, the Weston Power Plant held a picnic and tour on the site where the new Weston 4 Power Plant is proposed to be built. Neighbors and employees were invited to come and get a closer look.
September 25, 2002 - Announcement is Made
On September 25, 2002, Wisconsin Public Service announced its intentions to design, license, construct and operate a 500-megawatt electric generating power plant using clean coal technology at the Weston Power Plant site south of Wausau.
The History of the Weston Power Plant Site
Humble Beginnings…
November 11, 1954 - With construction completed, Weston Unit 1 began producing electricity for the 86,000 customers of Wisconsin Public Service.
Fifty years later, the unit still operates and is producing electricity for 450,000 Public Service customers. Marathon County's population in 1954 was about 80,000 and in 2000 was 126,000 residents.
There are three base-load coal fueled power plants operating at the Weston site. Unit 1 generates 60 megawatts (1954), Unit 2 generatew\s 76 megawatts (1960) and Unit 3 generates 300 megawatts (1981).
Because of the growth in energy demand, two additional "peaking" generators (72.4 megawatts) were added to the fleet in 1969 and 1973.
Total electrical capacity at the 345-acre Weston site is 583 megawatts. The addition of Weston 4 will add 500 megawatts to the Weston site in 2008.
A 50th Anniversary Celebration:
On October 21, 2004, neighbors and guests were invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Weston 1 power plant.
A special note of thanks…
Thanks to our neighbors, local, town, county and state officials; Weston employees past and present, the Central Wisconsin business and manufacturing community who has supported us since Weston Unit 1 began operating in 1954. We hope to build on that support and continue to be good neighbors during our next 50 years of operation.