New Energy Solutions News

As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this report.

MADISON—Wisconsin's almost exclusive reliance on fossil fuels means that Wisconsin's citizens will be faced with significant amounts of pollution that could be avoided if Wisconsin were to commit to getting more renewable energy according to a new report released by WISPIRG today, At An Energy Crossroads: Why Fossil Fuels Are Not the Answer for Wisconsin's Energy Future. This situation is only going to get worse given that Wisconsin has begun permitting a large number of new power plants for the first time in several decades.

"If Wisconsin continues forward with its aggressive plan to build new fossil fuel plants while starving energy efficiency and conservation and not committing to a substantial clean and sustainable energy target, Wisconsin will be locked into a dirty energy future for generations to come." said Jennifer Giegerich, WISPIRG State Director. "Not only does this have environmental and public health impacts, but Wisconsin will also have missed out on its opportunity to make our state a leader on new technologies; whose markets are going to grow."

By choosing to invest in 10% renewable energy rather than investing only in fossil fuels to meet our growing energy demand, over the next decade, Wisconsin can avoid:

• 13,377 tons of nitrogen oxides, assuming all fossil fuel plants proposed are built.
• 15,749 tons of sulfur dioxide assuming all fossil fuel plants proposed are built.
• 23,178,428 tons of carbon dioxide assuming all fossil fuel plants proposed are built, which is equal to the annual pollution from 4,048,634 cars.
• 291 pounds of mercury assuming all coal plants proposed are built.

Wisconsin can avoid the pollution and environmental damage caused by fossil fuel electricity generation facilities by:

• Meeting new energy demand with new, clean renewable energy sources first instead of coal and natural gas.
• Promoting and giving incentives for new renewable energy projects in-state.
• Employing strong definitions for what is eligible as a renewable to ensure the environmental integrity of renewable resources in Wisconsin.
• Maximizing new renewable energy generation by limiting the use of banking credits to three years to meet yearly renewable energy targets.
• Building upon Wisconsin's worthy shorter-term target of 10% by 2013 by establishing a longer term goal of 20% by 2020

According to the Department of Administration, Wisconsin currently generates over 90% of its energy from coal and nuclear power. This continued reliance on dirty sources of energy is in spite of strong evidence that Wisconsin has considerable renewable energy potential. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 120% of the entire state's energy consumption could be met through wind.

In September 2003, Governor Doyle established the Energy Conservation and Renewable Task Force to develop a plan for electric producers to provide at least 10% of their energy from renewable energy sources by 2013, and to develop a stable funding mechanism for energy efficiency and conservation programs. The task force is made up of utility representatives, environmental consultants, administrative officials, and legislators. The Energy Task Force met throughout 2004 and is expected to present the final recommendations to the Governor at its final meeting September 21st.