Press Release: Evers Administration Visits Showcase Clean Energy Efforts

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

Evers Administration Visits Showcase Clean Energy Efforts

Secretary Blumenfeld Tours UW-Parkside and City of Madison Fleet Following the Release of the Clean Energy Plan Progress Report

Kenosha and Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld made stops at UW-Parkside in Kenosha as well as the City of Madison Fleet Services as part of a tour to celebrate today’s release of the Clean Energy Plan Progress Report by Governor Evers.

Today’s visits highlighted the four key pathways identified in the Clean Energy Plan that support the development of a clean energy economy in Wisconsin. The UW-Parkside solar array visit, one of the accomplishments highlighted in the progress report, showcased accelerating clean energy technology deployment and energy efficiency. The visit to the City of Madison Fleet Services showcased clean energy innovations in transportation and building modernization, as well as a local Lead-by-Example effort to expand the use of clean energy fuels and reduce emissions. 

“Building for sustainability and clean energy is a collective responsibility of government agencies, local partners, private industry, and residents,” Secretary Blumenfeld said. “And today’s visits and conversations reflect how excited people are to engage with this work and continue to push for sustainable solutions to our energy needs. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we work towards achieving Governor Evers’ goals of a sustainable and equitable clean energy economy, and future for Wisconsin.”

(L-R: Scott Menke, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration of UW-Parkside; John Bruch, Chief Facilities Officer; Emily Reed, Sustainability Coordinator; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Chancellor Debbie Ford; John Skalbeck, Geosciences Department.) 

“A greater focus on campus toward sustainability, producing clean energy, and reducing the use of fossil fuels meets the expectations of our students and our community,” said Scott Menke, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration at UW-Parkside. “Early efforts such as the installation of solar arrays have been funded through partnerships with third parties and grants resulting in a net positive cash flow. This is being used to support other sustainable initiatives on campus such as improved stormwater management, the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles, and community gardens.”

(L-R: Health Allen, Renew Wisconsin; Katelynn Samuelsen of the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy; Mahanth Joishy, Superintendent for the City of Madison Fleet; Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Tom Verry with Clean Fuels Alliance America.) 

“The Clean Energy Plan charts a critical path to growing our clean energy economy in Wisconsin. It demonstrates how we can cut the carbon pollution that impacts our health and environment,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “The City of Madison is committed to doing our part to advance these strategies and work with partners across the state to accelerate the transition to clean energy and green jobs. Thank you to Governor Evers and the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy for your leadership in implementing this plan.”  

In addition to releasing the Clean Energy Plan Progress Report, Gov. Evers has recently signed executive order #195 to create the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation. The Commission will advise on the creation of the Green Innovation Fund and make it possible to invest in statewide solutions to meet the state’s clean energy goals. Gov. Evers has also proposed significant investments in clean energy innovation and workforce development in his 2023-25 Executive Budget.

The state’s first Clean Energy Plan, released last year, was developed by the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, and outlines strategies to lower energy bills for families, reduce reliance on out-of-state energy sources, invest in job and apprenticeship training, and create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.

Learn more about the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy here: https://osce.wi.gov/