As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release.
MADISON—Tuesday,
the Senate voted in favor of SB 459, a bill that would require
utilities to get 10% of their energy from renewable energy by 2015,
make the state a leader by purchasing 20% of its energy from renewable
sources by 2011, and protect the Public Benefits Fund which provides
funding for energy efficiency and conservation.
“WISPIRG
thanks our senators for voting to move Wisconsin towards sound
alternatives and creative energy solutions that make good economic
sense,” said Jennifer Giegerich, WISPIRG state director. “Greater
development of energy efficiency and renewable energy will help create
new jobs and economic growth in Wisconsin, as well as decrease the
threat to public health from more fossil fuel pollution.”
In
Wisconsin, much of the electricity needed to power our daily lives
comes from dirty and dangerous sources. Currently, Wisconsin generates
seventy percent of its electricity from coal, twenty percent from
nuclear power and less than one percent from clean, renewable sources.
For every ounce of non-renewable energy used there are consequences for
human health, the environment, the economy and the rates consumers must
pay.
- Smog pollution from coal-fired power plants in our state triggers 9,340 asthma attacks.
- The Department of Natural Resources has issued fish advisory warnings
for all instate waters due to mercury contamination. Coal power plants
are the leading source of mercury contamination.
- Scientists predict that if global warming trends continue, we could
see as much as an eight foot drop in Lake Michigan. Carbon dioxide, one
of the main components of global warming, is a byproduct of burning
coal.
- Wisconsin’s aging nuclear plants generate tons of radioactive waste
that will remain lethal for centuries. Wisconsin’s two nuclear power
plants are projected to have 1,327 metric tons of spent fuel on site by
2011. These facilities have no safe storage.
- Electricity and natural gas prices have skyrocketed in Wisconsin, due
in part to the volatility of natural gas prices and supplies.
The
Associated Press reported in January that according to data from the
federal Energy Information Administration, Wisconsin’s consumers have
seen their electric bills increase by 49% over the last decade and
natural gas prices increase by 74%. These numbers are higher than the
national average.
The
cheapest, easiest, and cleanest way to generate electricity is to
reduce our need for it in the first place by investing in energy
efficiency. Audits have found that consumers can save three dollars for
every dollar invested in energy efficiency measures. SB 459 would
protect the Public Benefits Fund, the main source of energy efficiency
funding in Wisconsin, from future government raids. The bill would also
allow the PSC, with legislative approval, to set future funding levels
for the Public Benefits Fund based on studies of the actual potential
for savings.
Passing
SB 459 can not only save individual consumers money, but there is
evidence that aggressive but achievable energy efficiency measures
could actually decrease the overall demand for natural gas, thereby
lowering wholesale natural gas prices. According to the Public Service
Commission, the dramatic increases in the wholesale cost of natural gas
accounted for 64% of the requested rate increases from utilities in
2005.
A
report by American Council on Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE),
released last December found that if eight Midwestern States including
Wisconsin were to implement energy efficiency measures, wholesale
market prices of natural gas could be reduced by 13% in the region and
save consumers over $6.75 billion.
SB
459 is a good first step to move Wisconsin towards a cleaner energy
future. The Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee will hold a hearing
next Wednesday, March 1. The version of SB 459 that the Assembly will
be considering is a compromise that reflects a consensus of many
interests. We appreciate the efforts of all parties, especially Sen.
Cowles, his staff and the staff of the Legislative Council, for all
their efforts to move clean energy forward in Wisconsin. We would ask
that members of the Assembly accept this compromise and not weaken the
bill.
