MGE and Alliant Energy have pledged to eliminate 80 percent of carbon emissions by 2050. Xcel Energy — which already has converted 29 percent of its generation assets to renewables — is shooting to reach that mark by 2030 and eliminate all carbon emissions by mid-century.

“We’ve done what we’ve done with really no federal mandate,” said Mark Stoering, president of Xcel Energy’s operations in Wisconsin and Michigan. “Our customers want this. Our communities want this. Our investors are increasingly demanding it. The environment needs it.”

Nowak said that’s the way it should be.

“It’s because of economics … which I think is the appropriate way,” Nowak said. “That’s a much better way to do it than to have a mandate.”

Some renewable-energy developers agree.

“Government getting out of the way at this point is really useful,” Walter said. “The momentum is only increasing now.”

Walter said local opposition is now the bigger threat to developing renewable energy in Wisconsin.

“Even though the prices are coming down there’s no guarantee it will happen,” he said. “People can stand in the way and these projects can die on the vine.”