Gov. Tony Evers announced a clean energy plan aiming to lower energy prices, increase energy independence and create new jobs.
Some of the proposals include: creating an Equity First Program to ensure people disproportionately affected by climate change can benefit from clean energy; launching a pilot project to consult with tribal nations on clean energy issues; and expanding community solar power projects.
The guv in a statement yesterday announcing the plan with the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy said the plan would bring more money into the state to invest in clean energy.
“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,” Evers said.
One of the goals under the plan is for the state to attain 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050.
The four major objectives in the plan include:
*Speeding up the implementation of clean energy technology;
*Increasing energy efficiency;
*Updating buildings and industry; and
*Supporting the switch to electric vehicles.
The plan also includes recommendations for clean energy workforce development.
The guv established the OSCE by executive order in 2019 and charged it with creating the plan. The OSCE estimates the plan would create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.
Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy Director Maria Redmond told WisPolitics.com in an email there is no specific funding source planned for the project yet.
“The plan isn’t associated with a specific funding stream but instead lays out a series of strategies that can be addressed through legislation, administrative action, leveraging existing programs, and local government, energy sector, and stakeholder partnerships and actions,” she said.
Wisconsin Senate Republicans on Twitter called the plan “another hidden tax from Democrats,” referring to the potential costs or funding for the plan not specified in the report. They also compared the plan to the “Green New Deal” introduced by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
“With historic inflation, soaring gas prices, & employers still recovering from shutdowns, importing @AOC-style Green New Deal policies would take WI in the WRONG direction,” they said.
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, applauded Evers’ announcement.
“Today’s announcement of Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan is an important step forward in our efforts to curb climate change and reduce inequities in our communities,” Neubauer said.
Wisconsin Conservation Voters also voiced its support for the plan.
