Governor Doyle Launches Plan to Accelerate Wisconsin's Green Economy

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2010
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

New Renewable Energy Standards Key to Green Job Creation; Clean Energy Jobs Act to Create At Least 15,000 Green Jobs in Wisconsin

JANESVILLE/BELOIT - Governor Jim Doyle recently launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state's green economy and create jobs. New industry-recognized research shows the package will directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025. Department of Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel discussed the plan at press conferences held at Universal Recycling Technologies, Janesville and Kettle Foods, Beloit.

"Addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue, it's about creating green jobs," Governor Doyle said. "The Clean Energy Jobs Act offers new standards to help accelerate Wisconsin's green economy. I am calling on the Legislature to update renewable portfolio standards to generate 25 percent of our fuel from renewable sources by 2025 and set a realistic goal of a 2 percent annual reduction in energy consumption by 2015."

The Clean Energy Jobs Act, State Senate Bill 450 and State Assembly Bill 649, implements the recommendations of Governor Doyle's Global Warming Task Force to address climate change and grow the state's green economy through several key measures:

• Enhanced renewable portfolio standards - A new 20 percent standard would be set for 2020 and a 25 percent standard would be set for 2025. The current 10 percent standard would be accelerated from 2015 to 2013. By advancing our current renewable portfolio standards, and setting new standards, we will ensure more of our energy dollars stay in the state, creating thousands of jobs for Wisconsin families in fields like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• Enhanced energy efficiency and conservation efforts - Graduated statewide electricity savings goals would be set, leading up to a 2 percent reduction by 2015 and annual reductions thereafter. The cheapest way to lower carbon emissions is through energy conservation. By setting achievable conservation goals, this bill will help reduce energy costs in businesses and homes across the state.

A comprehensive economic assessment of the Clean Energy Jobs Act found that the package would directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025. More than 1,800 jobs would be created in the first year alone. The assessment also found that between 800 and 1,800 construction jobs would be created each year from 2011-2025, and more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs would be created once the laws are fully implemented.

Since taking office, Governor Doyle has advanced an aggressive agenda to position Wisconsin as a leader in a growing green economy. Wisconsin has adopted renewable portfolio standards, invested in green job creation, led the advancement of research in cellulosic ethanol and biomass, and made great strides to increase energy efficiency in homes, businesses and government buildings.

The results of these efforts have driven a rapid expansion in alternative energy production and real growth in green jobs. The original renewable portfolio standards have helped spur development in the wind, solar and biomass industries in Wisconsin.

Through energy conservation efforts, numerous Wisconsin companies, including some of the biggest manufacturers, have reduced energy costs. Governor Doyle recently announced more than $14.5 million in funding to nine industrial companies in Wisconsin to help complete energy efficiency projects and create and retain more than 400 jobs in the state. Other Wisconsin based companies like Johnson Controls, Orion Energy and more than 50 Energy Star manufacturers have built successful businesses on energy conservation.

Governor Doyle thanked the Global Warming Task Force Co-Chairs Roy Thilly and Tia Nelson for their leading efforts. The Governor also recognized Senators Jeff Plale and Mark Miller, and Representatives Jim Soletski and Spencer Black for their work on the legislation.

To view the economic assessment of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=18757.

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