People power
I agree with many of the points made by Adolf Gundersen concerning the recent action of Madison Gas and Electric and its failure to become what it claims to be, “a community energy company” (“MGE Snubs the Community,” 2/11/2016). The document MGE prepared to introduce Community Energy Conversation (CEC) participants to the process was biased and leading, pointing to their own desired end. Even with this biased document as introduction, the CEC participants overwhelmingly favored cleaner generation and fair rates as their top priorities. The results of the CEC were never fully analyzed to show how they might or might not support the unilateral 2030 Framework. Nor were the results made public of a random sample phone survey (paid for by MGE about the same time) that framed essentially the same questions asked of CEC participants.
I agree that the 2030 Framework should be rejected by the public until further analysis of the above-mentioned results are available, until MGE allows for a truly open public discussion of the results, and announces the formation of the promised Community Energy Partnership (that embodies all the things mentioned by Mr. Gundersen). I say this partly because, even though the proposed 2030 goals for renewable generation and carbon reduction sound good, the goals are below levels pledged by several utility peers across the nation.
MGE also needs to step back from the rate structure adopted in the last rate case, a very regressive rate structure, opposed by their customers, the staff at the Public Service Commission and one of the three commissioners (in a minority opinion). CEC respondents gave this subject the second-highest number of comments (cleaner generation/less carbon being the first) , yet the 2030 framework only promises not to make it more regressive in the next rate case.
MGE needs to get out of lock step with the PSC and the other Wisconsin investor-owned utilities, none of which profess to be a “community energy company.” It needs to get in step with what its customers have asked for and in step with where its customers live by embracing the Energy Plan developed by the city of Madison and the efforts of Dane County.
Nancy Korda (via email)
Food for thought
I was disappointed to read your recent articles on what will happen to the Sherman Plaza grocery store across from Warner Park. Linda Falkenstein (“Here Comes the Neighborhood,” Madland, 1/26/2016) and Alan Talaga (“Diverse Options for a Diverse Neighborhood,” 2/4/2016) seem to care more about increasing their property values and drawing “destination” shoppers than working toward food equity in the community. We need lower prices on Madison’s north side — not management consultants or store remodeling. We need lower prices.
I work in the deli at Pierce’s and have shopped there since I moved to Madison. A new grocery store cannot continue to balance its budget on the backs of poor workers, poor customers and poor farmers. It should have affordable staple foods and offer sizable discounts based on income. Those at the top of the sliding scale would have to pay more.
Madison’s north side needs a true community market, like the Regent Market Co-op or the new Allied Community Co-op that Willy Street is funding and advising. Both these cooperatives formed when neighbors came together to take ownership of their own food sources. Let’s take this opportunity to create a real community-based project, instead of relying on an outside entity to try to adapt to meet our neighborhood’s needs.
Jackson Foote (via email)
Crossing a line
I am a dedicated weekly reader. I use your newspaper to advertise my music performances and rely on your paper. But this past week’s cover story went too far (“Stroke of Genius,” 2/11/2016)!!! The sexual details were too much. I have no problem with sex work — heck I would legalize prostitution if it were up to me. I have friends who are strippers, but I also have a kid, and I am sensitive to the fact that I leave Isthmus on my kitchen table every day, and he can open it and read whatever is inside it. I have always been weary of the sex advertisement on the back page, whichI see every time I read Savage Love (thank god for him; he has taught me soooo much!), but where we as a society choose to draw the line concerning these things is hard to say, and I think the article went over that line!
Taralie Peterson (via email)
Correction
In last week’s story “An Intentional Effort,” it was incorrectly reported that Angela Russell became CUNA Mutual’s diversity and inclusion coordinator in May 2014. It was May 2015. Additionally, it was CEO Bob Trunzo who added “inclusion” to the company’s corporate values.