Clean energy solutions

Our current energy mix is inefficient and over-reliant on imported sources like coal and oil, making it dirty, dangerous and expensive, while contributing to global warming. But Wisconsin is well-positioned to fix our energy problems and revitalize our economy by using energy more efficiently, and using more homegrown, clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

• Wisconsin Environment supports incentives to help us use
energy more efficiently, and add more clean, renewable energy.

• Wisconsin Environment supports updating Act 141, the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act of 2006, to require our utilities to get at least 20% renewable energy by 2020, and 25% by 2025, while incentivizing in-state energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and strictly limiting destructive large-scale, hydro power.

• Wisconsin Environment supports legislation to reduce statewide electricity usage by 2% per year and natural gas usage by 1% per year by 2015—with continued reductions each year thereafter—by increasing investment in energy efficiency programming and adopting energy-saving green building codes.

Stopping global warming

Global warming is an urgent threat to Wisconsin. A changing climate—with more storms, heat waves, droughts and floods—will wreak havoc on our farms, lakes, forests and wildlife. The good news it that we have the solutions right here in Wisconsin to begin addressing global warming now.

• Wisconsin Environment supports legislation that establishes a market-based ‘“cap and trade” program to incentivize global warming emission reductions at levels at or greater than recommended by the governor’s global warming task force.

• Wisconsin Environment supports the state following a science-based standard to reduce Wisconsin’s global warming emissions to the levels necessary to avoid the worst effects of the problem.

• Wisconsin Environment supports reducing global warming emissions from the transportation sector by promoting increased transit options with regional transportation authorities, promoting clean car technologies, and setting a low-carbon fuels standard.

Clean water

Our lakes are a treasure. But the lakes we love are in danger.
Whether it’s runoff pollution from sources such as lawn fertilizer, or dangerous sewerage overflows, our beaches and best fishing spots are threatened.

• Wisconsin Environment supports statewide legislation to restrict unnecessary and environmentally-destructive phosphorous in lawn fertilizer.

• Wisconsin Environment supports allocating federal water infrastructure dollars to prevent runoff pollution and overflows and conserve water resources.

Recycling

All across Wisconsin, electronic equipment containing toxic chemicals, such as computers and TVs, ends up in landfills, threatening our environment and public health. Electronic waste accounts for an estimated 70% of the heavy metals in local landfills, which cannot be safely contained.

• Wisconsin Environment supports legislation to reduce electronic waste with a statewide program to discourage the use of toxic materials, increase recycling and conserve resources.

• Wisconsin Environment supports requiring manufacturers
to take responsibility for preventing electronic waste by
making safer products and paying for safe disposal.