Press Release: Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address, Highlights Evers Administration Efforts to Cut Down Emissions, Reduce State’s Climate Impact, Build a Clean Energy Future in Wisconsin

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 07/30/2026 11:25 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address, Highlights Evers Administration Efforts to Cut Down Emissions, Reduce State’s Climate Impact, Build a Clean Energy Future in Wisconsin
 
Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address, highlighting efforts of the Evers Administration to cut down emissions and reduce the state’s climate impact, while investing in a more sustainable future for the state. The governor’s radio address features the state’s new Clean Fleet Policy, which requires state agencies to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, for new fleet vehicle acquisitions unless an approved exemption applies. The Clean Fleet Policy, created in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, will ensure the state of Wisconsin—one of the state’s largest employers—is continuing to do its part to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, improving air quality for Wisconsinites and reducing the state’s climate impact, actions that are especially important amid federal efforts to roll back clean vehicle and emission standards nationwide. The state’s fleet is comprised of just over 6,000 vehicles, only 14 percent of which are currently alternative fuel vehicles.

The policy will ensure the state continues to lead by example in achieving the goals articulated in Gov. Evers’ Executive Order #38 and the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan that was released by the Evers Administration in 2022 and finally put Wisconsin on a path for all electricity consumed within the state to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2050. The Clean Fleet Policy is also designed to continue building upon Gov. Evers’ and the Evers Administration’s work to both mitigate the effects of climate change and the rising costs of gasoline and diesel on agency budgets while also continuing to be good stewards of Wisconsinites’ tax dollars by saving taxpayers more in the long run. The policy encourages lifecycle cost analyses across different vehicle types, recognizing that the most sustainable option is often also the most cost-effective.

This announcement builds on longstanding efforts of Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration to promote climate resilience through innovative transportation infrastructure and clean energy initiatives. As co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, Gov. Evers announced last year that Wisconsin would be joining the Alliance’s Affordable Clean Cars Coalition. This multi-state initiative is aimed at sustaining America’s transition to cleaner and more affordable cars, supporting U.S. automotive manufacturers and workers, and improving air quality for all. The Clean Fleet Policy also follows recommendations made by the state’s Clean Energy Plan, which recommends the state work to transition the state’s vehicle fleet to clean fuels and zero-emission vehicles. The policy also ensures continued compliance with requirements from the federal Energy Policy Act, as well as state statute, both of which encourage a transition to alternative fuel vehicles.

Earlier this year, Gov. Evers also announced that the state would be bolstering efforts to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Wisconsin utilities and renewable energy projects for the next two decades, continuing the state’s longstanding practice of leading by example and ensuring Wisconsinites have access to in-state renewable electricity. The state plans to purchase approximately 225,000 RECs every year for the next 20 years, representing 225,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, which is enough energy to power more than half a million Wisconsin homes. By purchasing RECs, state agencies support Wisconsin-based jobs, local economic development, clean air, and clean water, while offsetting their net greenhouse gas emissions. The RFP seeks proposals capable of delivering RECs starting in January 2031 for a 20-year term, helping position state agencies and universities to achieve Wisconsin’s goal of 100-percent carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Read more about Gov. Evers’ efforts over the last seven years to build a clean energy future in Wisconsin.

A transcript of the governor’s radio address is available below. 

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.

Since Day One, my administration has been working to continue moving our state forward toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Early on, we joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, launched our Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, and created the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan.

We also secured funding to kickstart our efforts to expand the use of nuclear energy in Wisconsin as a safe, carbon-free energy option.

And Wisconsin was a leader in launching federal home energy rebate programs, and to date, more than $12 million in rebates have gone out the door to help families make their homes more energy efficient.

Here at the state level, we’re leading by example. Earlier this year, I announced new efforts for the state to invest in renewable energy certificates to offset our energy usage.

Through these certificates, we’ll be purchasing enough renewable energy to power more than a half a million Wisconsin homes. How about that?

And that’s not all! This month, I announced that my administration is building on this work with our new Clean Fleet Policy. 

This new policy is simple: when it comes time to replace a vehicle, our state agencies will prioritize purchasing alternative fuel vehicles, like electric vehicles, to reduce our carbon footprint and to help improve air quality for Wisconsinites.

While our state fleet is already comprised of more than 800 of these vehicles, this policy ensures future purchases continue working towards emission goals as options like electric vehicles become more affordable and available.

Especially as we see more chaos out of Washington, D.C., and efforts to roll back clean vehicle and emission standards nationwide, our work here at the state level is as important as ever.

Here in Wisconsin, we’re going to keep working to build the clean energy future and sustainable 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsin needs and deserves.

Thank you.  
 
An online version of this release is available here.
###