MILWAUKEE – Today, Governor Evers announced the appointments of stakeholders from across the state to his Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation, including five partners from the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW).
The Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation will advise on creating the state’s first Green Innovation Fund – commonly known as a “Green Bank.” Wisconsin’s Green Innovation Fund will leverage public and private financing to invest in projects that provide environmental and clean energy solutions and advance the state’s efforts to become carbon-free by 2050.
The five Coalition partners named to the Commission include:
- Antonio Butts, Executive Director of Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
- Abigail Corso, Chief Strategy Officer of Elevate
- Sam Dunaiski, Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin
- Sandra Henry, President and CEO of Slipstream
- Montre Moore, Chair of the Environmental Justice and Infrastructure Initiative
Commission appointees will advise on the creation of the Green Innovation Fund, which will be administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Administration. More information on the Fund will be available in the coming months.
Launched in March 2023, the CECW is comprised of climate, energy, environmental justice and conservation organizations that are leading the way in energy and sustainability solutions across Wisconsin. Coalition representatives on the Commission bring a diverse array of cross-disciplinary experience in moving forward clean energy and environmental justice solutions for the state.
“I really believe that we can help Wisconsin families by making clean energy and sustainable resources more accessible and affordable,” said Antonio Butts, executive director of Walnut Way Conservation Corp. “We can provide technical assistance and financial products that are tailored to low to middle income households. That way, more Wisconsinites can take advantage of all the benefits of going green and contribute to Wisconsin’s longer term sustainability goals!”
“Wisconsin is ready for more investment in our emerging clean energy economy,” said Abigail Corso, Chief Strategy Officer at Elevate. “The Green Innovation Fund will drive billions in potential clean energy investment to the families, neighborhoods, and communities that need it the most while building good local jobs through our expanding clean energy workforce. I’m honored to be part of the Green Ribbon Commission and advise on the creation of the state’s first-ever Green Bank.”
“I’m honored to serve on Governor Evers’ Green Ribbon Commission to create Wisconsin’s first Green Innovation Fund,” said Sam Dunaiski, Executive Director at RENEW Wisconsin. ”Renewable and clean energy resources can transform our environment and economy if all Wisconsinites can participate. Wisconsin’s first Green Bank has the potential to unlock access to clean energy savings for the communities that need it most. We must have a robust, efficient, and just transition to our renewable energy future, and that starts with allowing all Wisconsinites to participate in this transformation.”
“I am honored to stand alongside so many leaders and experts on Governor Evers’ Green Ribbon Commission to stand up the Badger State’s first Green Bank – a historic opportunity for Wisconsin to deliver on our environmental justice goals with resources made available by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund,” said Sandra Henry, President of Slipstream. “Together we can mobilize financial and technical assistance built from the experience and know-how of Wisconsinites, and lay a foundation for people who have been historically excluded from the clean energy transition to overcome the first cost and information barriers.”
“Our state must act now to address the worsening effects of climate change,” said Montre Moore, Steering Committee Chair of the Environmental Justice and Infrastructure Initiative and Environmental & Climate Justice Chair at the Wisconsin NAACP Chapter of Branches. “The creation of a Green Bank in Wisconsin has the opportunity not only to catapult our state in the right direction; if done correctly, it will help create thousands of new jobs. I am honored to be a part of the Green Ribbon Commission because I understand the importance of participation. Those affected the most by climate change – black and brown people – have to be at the center of the conversation.”
