MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers announced his appointments to the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation, a commission he created with Executive Order #195 in April to advise on the state’s Green Innovation Fund, the first environmental and clean energy fund in Wisconsin.
As a member of the new commission, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) issued the following statement in response:
“I am thrilled to have been appointed by Governor Evers to the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation. This Commission will advise and set direction for Wisconsin’s newly created Green Innovation Fund, which will leverage both public and private financing to invest in clean energy. This is a momentous opportunity to strengthen our state’s infrastructure, workforce, and clean energy economy while creating family-supporting jobs that cannot be outsourced and bringing our energy dollars home.
“Over the last decade, I introduced and championed legislation to create a state renewable energy development authority to spur the development, financing, and adoption of clean energy. I was delighted when Governor Evers created the Green Ribbon Commission and launched the state’s first ever Green Innovation Fund, which is modeled after other states’ green banks. I firmly believe the Commission and the Green Innovation Fund will serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation and job creation as we work with both the public and private sectors to address the growing threat of climate change and deliver real results for the people of Wisconsin.
“As a former staff member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, I have been advocating for clean energy since before taking office, and I have introduced clean energy bills during every session that I have served in the Legislature. I also had the phenomenal opportunity to be the first Wisconsin legislator to attend the Clean Energy Legislative Academy, where I appreciated learning from experts and collaborating with legislators from both parties from across the country. I’m committed to taking what I have learned from these phenomenal experiences and championing clean energy investments on this commission. Investing in clean energy creates family-supporting jobs, strengthens the public health, buoys the local economy, and protects our natural resources. I look forward to working with members of the Green Ribbon Commission and thank Governor Evers for the tremendous opportunity to help jumpstart the clean energy economy in Wisconsin.”
