New Energy Solutions News

Oshkosh, WI– America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Wisconsin Environment.

“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Lindsay North, Field Associate Wisconsin Environment. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Wisconsin.” 

Wisconsin Environment’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $150 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented.  This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution by what that scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.

“If we continue with business as usual - dirty energy and highways to nowhere - we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said North. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added North.

Every part of this country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy. The City of Oshkosh, for example, can greatly benefit from federal money for green infrastructure and clean energy. There are seven municipal buildings, as well as the central garage in dire need of retrofitting and energy efficient outfitting, including up-to-date insulated windows, light fixtures with motion sensors, and HVAC systems.  Federal funding can help move these projects forward, saving energy, saving consumers money, and creating jobs at the same time.

“Renewegy is focused on creating more and burning less,” said Jeff Ehlers, President of Oshkosh-based Renewegy Systems. “We believe that wind turbine technologies can create clean, renewable, cost-effective power.  In parallel, electric and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies can reduce our fuel consumption thereby helping us reduce cost, save our environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” continued Ehlers.

Wisconsin Environment’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the President  fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.

"Wisconsin's forestry, paper, agriculture and manufacturing industries position the state to be a leader in a growing market of biofuel production,” said Jay Stoflet of Renew Fuel Stations. “Investment in biofuels would likely provide stability for these core industries as well as increase the availability of jobs and inflate the state's economy,” continued Stoflet.

Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand.  The complete report can be found at  www.WisconsinEnvironment.org.

Wisconsin Environment warns that special interests groups like Oil, Coal, and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on Rep. Tom Petri and the rest of the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded North.

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 Wisconsin Environment is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental advocacy group working for clean air, clean water, and open space.

WI---Clean-Energy-Bright-Future.pdf