July 19, 2019

Traffic was moving slowly after breakfast with friends Friday Morning. I glanced around and noticed a rather dark, large smoke plume originating to my west.

While in traffic, my first thought was that the Sylvee had gone up in flames. The source turned out to be a Madison Gas & Electric substation. Fortunately, no one was injured. Curiously, I’ve seen no mention of this incident on their website.

I recorded a short video clip and captured a few images while moving slowly in Madison’s isthmus:

Madison Gas & Electric customers pay the highest rates in Wisconsin [https://www.zmetro.com/pdf/2019/wis_avg_res_electric_bill_2018_2019.xlsxxlsx comparison], up to 44% more than other Wisconsin utility customers. Why?

Madison Gas & Electric was embroiled in a lobbying scandal some years ago, sending money to a Kansas Democrat Party organ.