The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved Wisconsin Power and Light Co.'s application on June 6 to purchase an additional 80 MW in the 1,112-MW Columbia coal-fired facility in Pardeeville, Wis.

WP&L will purchase 47 MW from Wisconsin Public Service Corp. and about 33 MW from Madison Gas and Electric Co. for an undisclosed amount. Currently, Wisconsin Power owns 46.2%, Wisconsin Public Service owns 31.8% and Madison Electric owns 22% of the plant.

Wisconsin Power is owned by Alliant Energy Corp., Wisconsin Public Service is a WEC Energy Group Inc. subsidiary and MG&E is owned by MGE Energy Inc.