The Beloit City Council meeting on February 3, 2025, included significant discussions regarding the proposed expansion of the Riverside Energy Center, which is currently under review by the Wisconsin Public Services Commission. The commission is accepting public comments until February 12, with the docket number 6680CE-187.

During the meeting, concerns were raised by local nonprofit organizations about the commission's processes. These organizations highlighted three main issues: significant flaws in public notice and environmental assessment procedures, limited opportunities for community input, and inadequate consideration of the project's impact on local health, air quality, and utility rates.

It was noted that since 2010, carbon dioxide emissions from the Riverside Energy Center have increased dramatically, rising from 250 metric tons to nearly 3,000 metric tons in 2022. This increase is attributed to Alliance Energy Transmission's efforts to meet energy demands from larger cities such as Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Meanwhile, air quality in Beloit has reportedly worsened, raising health concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations. The fine particulate matter levels in Beloit, which are not monitored by Alliant Energy, have been found to be high according to Purple Air monitors recommended by the EPA.

The discussion also questioned why Beloit is bearing the environmental costs of a facility that primarily serves households outside the city. The Riverside Energy Center generates enough energy for approximately 550,000 households, while Beloit itself has fewer than 14,000 households. Additionally, concerns were raised about Alliant Energy's decision to expand using gas rather than pursuing cleaner energy alternatives.

The council encouraged residents to participate in the public comment process and to contact the Public Service Commission to voice their concerns regarding the expansion and its implications for the Beloit community.