MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers showed his commitment to addressing climate change today by issuing an executive order that sets Wisconsin on a path to 100 percent carbon neutral energy and creates an Office of Sustainability.
This order will commit the state to using 100 percent carbon neutral energy by 2050, and create the office, which was included in Gov. Evers’ proposed budget but stripped out by the Joint Finance Committee.
Earlier this week, Attorney General Josh Kaul joined a lawsuit against the Trump EPA over its efforts to roll back climate protections under the Clean Power Plan. More than 20 other states including Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois are also petitioning.
Executive Director Kerry Schumann had this to say of the actions:
“This order is a profound commitment to embracing clean energy and fighting climate change. With this action, Gov. Evers is setting up the framework to protect not only you and I, but also future generations of Wisconsinites from the devastating effects of climate change. Warming temperatures are already contributing to unprecedented flooding, disrupted wildlife migration, toxic algae blooms, and dirtying our Great Lakes. We applaud this action and look forward to working with Gov. Evers and his administration to ensure Wisconsin keeps this promise to future generations.
The Trump administration has launched attack after attack on our environment. Attorney General Josh Kaul understands the threat that climate change poses to Wisconsin – and the planet. Joining this fight in the court system stakes out Wisconsin’s position that Trump’s EPA is violating the Clean Air Act and is endangering all of us, and our kids. We applaud this action, which will ultimately help protect Wisconsin from the effects of climate change.”