MADISON – Today, Gov. Tony Evers vetoed three bills that would have restricted local governments and state agencies from acting on climate change.
These bills, if signed, would have kept Wisconsin reliant on fossil fuels rather than transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Gov. Evers vetoed:
- Senate Bill 49 would have restricted local communities’ ability to determine what fuel sources are used to meet their needs by unnecessarily mandating that they can’t exclude natural gas.
- Assembly Bill B 141 would have worked against the transition to cleaner, more cost-efficient electric appliances by prohibiting state agencies and local communities from phasing out the use of dirty, gas-powered appliances.
- Assembly Bill 142 would have worked against the transition to cleaner transportation options by prohibiting state agencies and local communities from phasing out the use of dirty, gas-powered vehicles.
“We applaud Gov. Evers for vetoing this legislation. Once again, the legislature was attempting to take away the ability for local governments to make decisions about their communities,” said Jennifer Giegerich, government affairs director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters. “The legislature continues to ignore the very real shifting clean energy technology landscape. This continues to leave Wisconsin residents with an energy status quo of dependent on out-of-state fossil fuels. That status quo sends $14 billion out of Wisconsin every year for coal and natural gas. If the legislature were serious about Wisconsin’s energy future, it would engage in meaningful policymaking. Policymaking that promotes a transition to cleaner fuels and ensures Wisconsin workers, manufacturers, and ratepayers benefit.”
