We Energies wants to increase the amount of mercury it's permitted to release into Lake Michigan

We Energies wants to increase the amount of mercury it's permitted to release into Lake Michigan

MILWAUKEE — A utility company wants to increase the amount of mercury it's permitted to release into Lake Michigan from a coal-burning power plant in suburban Milwaukee.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently held a public hearing about We Energies' request over its Oak Creek plant, which was met by opposition from more than 100 people.The Milwaukee-based utility's proposal would allow We Energies to dispose up to 4.1 parts per trillion of mercury into Lake Michigan on any day.

WE Energies: Gas main struck by contractor near Estabrook Park

WE Energies: Gas main struck by contractor near Estabrook Park

MILWAUKEE -- A WE Energies service line in Milwaukee was hit by a third party contractor on Saturday morning, Feb. 16.It happened around 10 a.m., near Port Washington Road and Estabrook Boulevard.Crews evacuated a nearby building as a safety precaution and asked people to avoid the area.The gas line was shut off and crews got the leak under control by 2 p.m.Crews then got to work on repairing the line.

Mercury concerns: Residents join 'Clean Power Coalition' to argue against We Energies' provision

Mercury concerns: Residents join 'Clean Power Coalition' to argue against We Energies' provision

OAK CREEK -- There was a call for stronger water protections during a public hearing in Oak Creek Monday, Feb. 11.We Energies officials are working on a permit that includes a provision that would allow the company to discharge mercury-tainted water into Lake Michigan.Those with the group "Clean Power Coalition" said the rate would be nearly three times the human health standard.

More than 3,800 We Energies customers without power due in part to icing

More than 3,800 We Energies customers without power due in part to icing

MILWAUKEE -- The We Energies Outage Map shows more than 3,800 customers are without power in southeast Wisconsin as a result of our wintry weather that includes heavy icing in some areas.Officials from We Energies say since last night, they have restored power to more than 12,600 customers -- and have extra crews assigned to the hardest hit areas.

We Energies: Gas service line struck near 15th and Lincoln, some evacuations took place

We Energies: Gas service line struck near 15th and Lincoln, some evacuations took place

MILWAUKEE -- We Energies officials said customers were able to get back into their homes on Wednesday evening, Nov. 21 after a construction crew doing work near 15th and Lincoln struck a gas service line.The incident happened around 3:45 p.m. We Energies crews on the scene were able to identify the spot where the gas was leaking -- and gas was shut off.Crews were then doing the necessary repairs -- and were in the neighborhood to assist residents once service was fully restored.

Nearly 200 phone scam attempts reported to We Energies over past 2 days

Nearly 200 phone scam attempts reported to We Energies over past 2 days

MILWAUKEE -- We Energies customers have been the targets of a phone scam that has affected nearly 200 customers throughout southeast Wisconsin and the Fox Valley.A news release from We Energies says scammers are using a service disconnection threat -- and trying to convince customers to purchase prepaid debit cards and provide the card information to them.We Energies reminds all customers that it does not solicit payment from customers in a threatening manner.

ATF offers $5K reward for information after 2 explosions in New Berlin

ATF offers $5K reward for information after 2 explosions in New Berlin

NEW BERLIN -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has offered a $5,000 reward for information related to "recent explosions" that led to the closure of Coffee Road and Woelfel Road beginning late Monday afternoon, Sept. 17.ATF officials said investigators are looking into two explosions that happened on Coffee near Woelfel.