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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, together with the Evers Administration’s Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, released the Clean Energy Plan Progress Report, highlighting accomplishments in the year since the release of the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan. The report outlines efforts taken to lower energy bills and prices for working families, promote energy independence by reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, lay the groundwork for creating an estimated 40,000 jobs by 2030, and invest in job training and apprenticeship programs in innovative industries and technologies.
“Reaching our goals for a sustainable, clean energy future for Wisconsin doesn’t happen overnight, which is why I am excited to share the progress we’ve already made since we launched our state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan roughly one year ago,” said Gov. Evers. “Climate change continues to impact the health, safety, and livelihoods of Wisconsinites every day, and we must continue working together to ensure we create a clean energy economy that will benefit all Wisconsinites. I look forward to continuing to support our public- and private-sector partners already doing this work at the local level, reflected in this year’s Progress Report, and encourage members of the Legislature to do their part to help build the better future we’ve promised our kids and that we want to see for our state in the next budget.”
A recent assessment report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasizes that climate impacts continue to threaten communities across the country, including Wisconsin.
“As our state’s clean energy needs and ecosystem continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to leveraging historic opportunities presented by landmark federal investments,” said Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “Collaboration between government and private industry will ensure clean energy infrastructure, jobs, lower energy prices, and healthier communities for all Wisconsinites.”
Over the course of the day and coming weeks, DOA Secretary Blumenfeld will be visiting public and private sector projects focused on expanding clean energy and sustainability impacts for Wisconsin residents, businesses, and the environment.
“I’m inspired by the collaborative accomplishments we’ve realized over the last year and look forward to continue working with businesses, local governments, Tribal Nations, non-governmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, farmer and agriculture groups, federal and state agencies, and residential partners who have played an important role in advancing the strategies outlined in the Clean Energy Plan to build a sustainable and inclusive clean energy economy,” said Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy Director Maria Redmond.
The Clean Energy Plan Progress Report is available here and focuses on four actionable pathways that create momentum toward a clean, reliable, and affordable energy future:
- Accelerate clean energy technology deployment: Increasing funding options for projects, investing in infrastructure, new emissions goals, expanding state energy resources for generation, technology innovation, equitable expansion of clean energy, and leveraging existing policies and programs.
- Maximize energy efficiency: Strengthening energy efficiency standards and programs to reduce energy waste, create jobs, and save consumers money on energy costs.
- Modernize buildings and industry: Addressing building codes, supporting electrification, expanding funding, and supporting industry and businesses in their transition.
- Innovate transportation: Supporting the transition to low- to no-emission vehicles and supporting refueling options, along with planning and increased options to move people around.
The Clean Energy Plan Progress Report shows advancement toward workforce development recommendations to ensure Wisconsin has a clean energy workforce to meet these needs. It also provides a summary of actions that reduce the disproportionate impacts of energy generation and use on low-income communities and communities of color and maximize the creation of equitable opportunities for clean energy jobs, economic development, and retention of energy investment dollars in Wisconsin.
Gov. Evers previously signed Executive Order #38, creating the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, charged with developing the Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan to promote the development and use of clean and renewable energy across the state, advance innovative sustainability solutions that improve the state’s economy and environment, and diversify the resources used to meet the state’s energy needs. The order also established the state’s goal to reach 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050. Additionally, Gov. Evers also previously joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors who are committed to implementing the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement at the state level in an effort to combat climate change. Executive Order #38 also charged the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy with ensuring the state is fulfilling the carbon reduction goals of the Paris Agreement.
Building on this work and the efforts of the Evers Administration over the last four years to advance innovative clean energy and sustainability solutions, Gov. Evers’ 2023-25 biennial budget proposal called for substantial clean energy investments, in alignment with the goals of the Clean Energy Plan to help the state achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity consumption by 2050. The governor proposed expanding access and use of electric vehicle infrastructure, promoting the conservation, clean energy, energy efficiency, and environmental job sectors, and increasing funding for the state’s Focus on Energy program, among other initiatives. Additional information on the governor’s plan to invest in building a statewide clean energy economy is available here.
Unfortunately, Republican members of the Joint Committee on Finance recently rejected many of Gov. Evers’ budget investments despite Wisconsin’s historic surplus that provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make critical investments in areas that have been neglected and are key to future success, like clean energy.
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