Executive Chairman of the Board, Wec
Search every verified Gale Klappa interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Gale Klappa, executive chairman of WEC Energy Group, has discussed the company's focus on what he calls "affordable, reliable, and clean" (ARC) energy. In a 2023 interview, he stated that the company's five-year capital plan calls for investing over $20 billion in transmission, solar, wind, battery storage, and natural gas generation. Klappa said the company aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% from a 2005 baseline by the end of 2030. He described a 2023 test blending hydrogen with natural gas at a power plant in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, saying emissions came down, efficiency stayed the same, and the equipment was not damaged. Klappa also noted that the company's dividend policy is to pay out between 65% and 70% of earnings, with projected earnings per share growth of 5% to 7% annually. Klappa has commented on the broader energy transition and the economy in the region. In a 2024 interview, he said the economy in Wisconsin remains strong, citing a 2.6% unemployment rate and Microsoft's announced $1 billion investment in a data center complex south of Milwaukee. Regarding the goal of a fully carbon-free grid by 2035, Klappa said in a 2021 earnings call that he considers it "one tall order" and analogized it to a "moonshot," noting the need for "enormous technological change." He has also discussed the variability of wind power, stating that in the Midwest, wind capability can drop from 25,000 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts overnight, requiring other reliable sources to make up the difference.
“one data inquiry that you might make through your PC using AI requires so much more computational capacity and ability that basically to support that that one inquiry using AI requires 10 times more electricity than just going on Google today and looking up where is Milwaukee Wisconsin for example”
“we have added to our capital investment plan 1,400 megaw of new power generation capacity we were already planning to expand our system to begin with with both a mix of Renewables and efficient natural gas fired generation but now we've added as I say another 1,400 megawatts to our Five-Year Plan that would be 2024 thr...”
“We're planning on reducing our CO2 emissions by 80% by the end of 2030 off of 2005 Baseline. So we will grow by making prudent proper Investments and just to put that all in a capsule for you everything we look at is through the prism of what I call The Ark affordable reliable clean that drives our decision making on i...”
“Just with that 20.1 billion Capital plan that we've announced for the 5-year period starting this year over 20 years we expect those Investments That 20.1 billion to actually save customers $2 billion as compared to the status quo. So doing this right and with the right mix of solar wind batteries and yes modern effici...”
“energy can be a weapon a weapon against society against the west and we simply have to have we have to approach this in an intelligent way i think we can do both i think we can get to an eighty percent or better reduction in co2 emissions stay affordable and stay reliable but we have to be sensible about the transition”
“there are about 25 000 megawatts of wind capability in the giant midwestern part of the country that's about four times the size of our own system but just last week for example that went from the availability because of lack of wind went from that 25 000 megawatts to 5 000 megawatts overnight we have to find in the mi...”
“I think if you asked anyone in our industry, you never say never, but that is one tall order. I would kind of analogize it to a moonshot actually, when you think about what it would take, and again, the pace of technology development can change all of this, but you think about what it would practically take to get to a...”
“The region we serve, our four-state area with natural gas... it's going to get according to the weather forecast 32 below in International Falls, Minnesota this Sunday. There's not a heat pump in the world or one under development that could keep you warm at 32 below. So the market share for natural gas heating in each...”
“we delivered a record year on virtually every meaningful measure of performance from customer service to network reliability to earnings per share despite the challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic our focus on efficiency on financial discipline and an encouraging rebound in energy demand during the second half of t...”
“if you asked anyone in our industry you never say never but that is one tall order I would kind of analogize it to a moonshot actually when you think about what it would take and again you know the pace of technology development can change all of this but you think about what it would practically take to get to a full...”
“Our dividend policy is very clear going forward. Our policy is essentially to pay out between 65 and 70% of our earnings in dividends each year. We are exactly where we want to be right now, we're right in the middle of that range. So those who hold our stock, the investors who have great trust in us, can expect to rec...”
“We have set a very aggressive goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We have set two goals: one to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and that's below 2005 levels by 40% by the year 2030. We're actually a little ahead of that goal. I think we may be able to reach the 40% reduction target actually by the year 2023, seve...”
“We now have fifty percent more power generating capacity today than we had in the year 2000 but our total emissions of sulfur dioxide nitrogen oxide mercury and particular matter are down in total by eighty percent so fifty percent more capacity fifty percent more production eighty percent fewer emissions.”
“I honestly honest truth is I have a mixed reaction to what you're referring to is the clean power plan which the rule is now being finalized and being published in the Federal Register and it sets goals excuse me or targets state-by-state differing targets state by state for reducing co2 emissions... my bigger concern...”
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-97cdk-164e7f4 US utilities are on the verge of a significant growth super cycle, fuelled ...
Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman of WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC), isn’t just focused on powering Wisconsin and his 4.6 million customers across the Midwest. Klappa is helping the Badger State grow as well, while growing shareholder value at the same time. He sat down Inside the ICE House to discuss the business of WEC and its emphasis on Affordable, Reliable, and Clean (ARC) energy. A renaissance man, Kappa dives into his roles with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, highlighting how he balances being a minority owner of the team while also serving as radio host of “Courtside with the Milwaukee Bucks.”…
Gale Klappa, WEC Energy Group Executive Chairman, discusses his vision for the energy transition and the results of WEC's clean energy projects including hydrogen power and long-term battery storage with Judy Shaw on #NYSEFloorTalk. @wisconsinenergy #cleanenergy #hydrogen #energy
Gale Klappa (Executive Chairman & Office of the Chair - WEC Energy Group, Director - Associated Banc-Corp and Badger Meter Inc.) sits down with Annex Wealth Management’s President & CEO, Dave Spano CFP® for a four-part interview exclusive.
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Interview with Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman of WEC Energy Group at the London Stock Exchange Studios.
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Gale Klappa receives Responsible CEO of the Year award from Corporate Responsibility magazine.
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