MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – A hearing is taking place to discuss the Green Bay coal pile relocation and proposed Port Expansion Bill.
It will take place Tuesday before a state Assembly committee on a bill to create a state grant to help move the coal piles from downtown Green Bay.
Representative David Steffen is explaining the importance of the project to his colleagues in the legislature.
His bill, AB-325 requires the state Department of Transportation to award a harbor assistance grant of $1.5 million towards relocating the facility operated by C. Reiss Coal Company, on the west bank of the Fox River, just south of Mason Street.
One selling point is that there is no cost to taxpayers and the money would come from a Harbor Assistance Grant.
“The money that we are requesting is from an existing pot of money. The Harbor Assistance Grant Program is already funded,” Representative Steffen said. “It would earmark up to $1.5 million dollars to be assigned to the Green Bay Port Expansion and Coal Pile relocation project.”
Since Wisconsin Public Service closed the Pulliam plant at the mouth of the Fox River, there has been a discussion about it as a possible destination for the Reiss operations.
But some estimates place the project’s cost at $29 million.
The state grant would be used for planning and geotechnical work at the Pulliam site, according to state Rep. David Steffen.
“For five decades, the City of Green Bay has advocated for relocating those coal piles in downtown,” said Steffen in a statement. “Through this legislation, we’ve got our best shot to make that happen. We get multiple wins. This really does not get much better from an economic perspective.”
While he feels everyone in Northeast Wisconsin will see eye-to-eye with him, there may be other areas in the state that feel they are deserving of that money for their own projects.
“Maybe other ports and other cities that are hoping to get money from that fund, so this is competitive. My legislation is going to ensure that Green Bay is at the top of the list. This is really the Hailey’s Comet for economic development for the state.”
The estimated impact on just the coal pile project alone is over $100 million, according to Steffen.
C. Reiss and WPS have yet to signal any sort of commitment to the move.
The Assembly Committee on Transportation meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday in room 417 North at the State Capitol.
“I am very confident that this will receive bi-partisan support as it goes through the process.”
