Port Washington debates lakefront power plant.(Wisconsin Energy Corp.)(Brief Article)

Nothing comes easy for Wisconsin Energy Corp.

The Milwaukee-based energy company thought its plan to convert its Port Washington coal power plant to natural gas was a sure bet to receive unqualified community support.

After all, Wisconsin Electric Power Co., Wisconsin Energy's public utility subsidiary, had been a good neighbor and taxpayer to Port Washington for more than 66 years. Five generations of Port Washington residents have watched coal boats unload their payloads along the shore of Lake Michigan.

However, the coal-to-natural gas conversion plan, part of Wisconsin Energy's $7 billion Power the Future proposal to add 2,800 megawatts of electricity in the state, is being questioned by Port Washington elected officials and business executives who think the new plant might fit better at a site west of the city's …