Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) hosted its Community Energy Workshop at Monona Terrace last night where about 200 community leaders and members, representing a diverse cross section of the community, discussed issues related to the community’s energy future. Participants generated input to help inform the company as MGE advances its Energy 2030 framework and future engagement efforts.
“I am thankful to our community for providing guidance about our collective energy future, either through our Community Energy Conversations last year or last night’s interactive Workshop. This unprecedented engagement effort has given MGE valuable insight into the needs and priorities of this community that we all call home,” said Gary Wolter, MGE chairman, president and CEO. “MGE has a fundamental obligation to those we serve to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. By working collaboratively to advance common interests around energy, we can create a better future for our children and grandchildren and accomplish the goals under Energy 2030.”
MGE’s independent facilitator for its Community Energy Conversations, Justice and Sustainability Associates (JSA), designed the Community Energy Workshop. JSA CEO Don Edwards facilitated the workshop, using a deliberative dialogue format. The topics discussed by participants included advancing MGE’s Energy 2030 framework in a changing energy world, new energy products and services, and community engagement. The videos presented at the workshop have been posted at mge.com where anyone may view them. There, visitors also will find a summary of themes generated by the input from workshop participants.
Community members are able to submit feedback to MGE by e-mail. The input from the workshop will inform further MGE efforts to advance its Energy 2030 framework and build a community energy company for the future.
The workshop followed a series of 98 Community Energy Conversations last summer and fall hosted by JSA. Anyone could participate in the small group discussions. Hundreds of customers shared information either in person at the conversations or by submitting feedback online. The input informed MGE’s Energy 2030 framework, which includes ambitious goals for renewable resources and carbon emissions, and objectives related to energy efficiency and conservation, innovative products and services, and community engagement.
“This is a dynamic period for energy, resulting in new opportunities for our community and our customers. We look forward to engaging and working with our customers in many different ways going forward and accomplishing our shared goals,” said Wolter.
More information about the Community Energy Workshop and Energy 2030 is available here.
