Clean Energy Bill Passes

From Clean Wisconsin:

The Wisconsin State Legislature passed a historic bill yesterday that makes a major commitment to clean energy resources and takes an important step toward getting a handle on rising electric and heating bills in the state. The State Assembly overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 459 that requires utilities to invest in renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power.

SB 459 was a result of the work by Governor Doyle's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables - a diverse group including all of the state's utilities, customers groups, labor unions and environmental groups, including Clean Wisconsin's Keith Reopelle.

"This bill is a major victory for clean, low-cost energy resources in Wisconsin," said Keith Reopelle, Program Director for Clean Wisconsin. "The efficiency investments resulting from this bill will save Wisconsin businesses and homeowners more than two hundred million dollars a year."

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Details of SB 459

SB 459, authored by Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and the Senate Energy Committee would implement numerous policies recommended by a Governor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables. The major provisions of the bill as passed include:

1. A requirement that state utilities generate 10% of their electricity from renewable resources by 2015 (up from the current 2.2% by 2011).

2. A requirement that the state purchase 20 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2010.

3. Changes to the state's energy efficiency fund, know as Focus On Energy, that would prevent diversion of funds to balance the budget.

4. A requirement that utilities collect and contribute 1.2% of their annual gross revenues to the Focus On Energy program. An initial increase from the current $62 million to $82 million.

5. A requirement that the Department of Commerce upgrade the Commercial Building Code to current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) efficiency standards (2005 standards compared to the 1989 standards the Commercial Building Code is currently based on).

6. A requirement that all equipment (computers, copiers, lighting, etc.) purchases for state buildings meet Energy Star or equivalent high efficiency standards.

Clean Wisconsin estimates that the changes to the Focus On Energy program will result in more than $200 million in savings for businesses and homeowners initially (and increase with increased investments) and reduce global warming emissions by 700,000 tons per year.

"This bill is a win-win-win solution for Wisconsin's ratepayers, economy and environment," said Reopelle. "Wisconsin currently sends more than $10 million out of state for fossil fuel imports; the increased investments in wind power and efficiency programs will keep some of those dollars recirculating in Wisconsin's economy."