Wisconsin forms first-ever Clean Energy Plan
Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, released the state’s Clean Energy Plan, the first-ever plan in the state’s history, as the governor directed in Executive Order 38.
The Clean Energy Plan identifies dozens of paths and strategies, aiming to lower energy bills and prices at the pump for Wisconsin families, promote energy independence, by reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, create an estimated more than 40,000 jobs by 2030, and invest in job training and apprenticeship programs, in innovative industries and technologies.
Wisconsinites continue to be concerned by rising costs in grocery store aisles and at gas pumps, while industries face challenges getting resources and supplies. Oil and gas prices have been subject to major disruptions/ volatility, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, creating uncertainty in markets at home, including gas prices in Wisconsin, which exceed $4 per gallon.
National inflation has also recently reached the highest level in decades. At the same time, the plan comes as there are historic opportunities presented by an influx of federal dollars, to invest in once-in-a-generation efforts to speed up production of cheaper, cleaner energy, replace water infrastructure to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water, reduce the impacts of extreme weather, help families and businesses save on energy costs through energy efficiency and invest in innovative jobs, job training, and apprenticeship programs.
A 2019 study, conducted by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, estimated that, each year, Wisconsin sends more than $14 billon out of state, from the state’s dependence on out-of-state energy sources.
“Wisconsinites should have the opportunity to make their own decisions about their energy use,” said Evers. “By expanding and speeding up production of cheaper, cleaner energy, like wind and solar here in Wisconsin, we can keep our money here at home, rather than relying on unpredictable markets, often disrupted by foreign leaders and conflicts.”
