Sustainable Results

Environmental accountability is part of our culture at MGE. This is why we continue to participate and receive recognition in Green Tier, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' environmental leadership program, and Green Masters, the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council's voluntary benchmarking program.

At MGE, we set goals, take action and track progress. Through hard work and dedication, we produce sustainable environmental improvement over time. Efforts include our:

• Solar-powered facilities. In late 2017, we installed nearly 450 solar panels at our headquarters in downtown Madison. In addition, our 2,000-square-foot office building in Prairie du Chien, Wis., has 20 solar panels on the roof capable of producing about 5.3 kilowatts (kW) of energy.

• Green transportation fleet. We support strategies that increase interest in alternative-fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV). We also have set an EV fleet goal of 100% all-electric or plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles by 2030.

  We continue to expand our network of public EV charging stations, powered by 100% renewable energy, throughout our service territory, including five workplace charging stations available for our employees.

  We have an anti-idling policy directing employees to turn off company vehicles and equipment that are not in use. This helps reduce air emissions and fuel use and minimize wear and tear on engines.

• Green products and practices. We make responsible choices about the materials and products we use in our operations. We use earth-friendly paint options and cleaning products. We recycle our electronic equipment and purchase electronic devices that are EPEAT-registered, meaning they meet strict environmental criteria offering a reduced environmental impact across their life cycles.
• Sustainability Steering Team. In 2018, MGE transitioned from our employee-led Green Team to our Sustainability Steering Team. Composed of employees from across the company, the Sustainability Steering Team oversees our Environmental Management System (EMS). It also supports external sustainability engagement and benchmarking, such as our participation in the Green Tier and Green Masters programs. Having team members from departments across the company is a more efficient way to gather data for our voluntary sustainability reporting efforts. The Sustainability Steering Team is overseen by and receives guidance from our Executive Sustainability Team, which has officer representation from across MGE. 

• Recycling. We are committed to waste reduction and reusing as many products as possible. That's why we make recycling and proper waste disposable a part of our daily routine—whether we're in the office or on the job site. Our all-in-one recycling method includes paper products, glass, plastic and aluminum. We also recycle various metals and other scrap materials left over from field work. Our computing equipment and supplies are sent to an e-Stewards certified company for recycling or reuse, and our alkaline batteries go to a vendor who recovers steel and zinc. Additionally, a local vendor takes our wood pallets, recycling them into mulch. We also recycle thermostats and other mercury-containing devices, chemicals, steel, iron, copper, glass and cell phones.

More information about these sustainable actions is available in MGE's Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report.