A controversial plan to privatize state-owned power plants, a plan that last caused a stir in 2005 before being vetoed by then-Gov. Jim Doyle, has been revived by Gov. Scott Walker in his budget bill. The provision would give the state Department of Administration the authority to sell the plants or contract for their operation. The proposal calls for net profits from the sale of the plants to be deposited in the budget stabilization fund. In 2005, a Republican-approved budget included a provision to sell all of the state?s 32 heating and cooling plants, including the Charter Street plant, which provides service to UW-Madison.
Office of Strategic Communication