The Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit
On March 12, 2020, along with RENEW Wisconsin and Sierra Club of Wisconsin, we launched the Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit, a comprehensive guide for local communities on how to embrace clean energy goals and policy.
With the growing concern over climate change, many local communities are hungry to develop clean energy plans. But, they often struggle with how to begin, both from a technical perspective and how to engage their communities.
We created the toolkit to give those communities the resources and information they need to make a strong commitment to clean energy.
With our partners, we identified the need for a soup-to-nuts guide to energy policy options in Wisconsin. The toolkit allows communities to think through all of the areas where they can make improvements and ensure they are getting the most return on their investments.
The toolkit is a resource designed to help guide communities of varying sizes and with differing resources as they consider, craft, and implement clean energy policies, and how to ensure the greatest return on potential clean energy investments.
The Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit provides information to help local communities including:
How to understand current state policies and regulations that impact energy use in Wisconsin
Guidance on how to commit to clean energy
How to build support in the community for clean energy policies
How to establish a baseline of current energy use in the community, and how to set benchmarks to track progress toward long-range goals
Defines equitable carbon reduction strategies that protect vulnerable communities when making the transition to clean energy, and how to ensure all impacted constituencies have a voice at the decision-making table
Provides an overview of various financing options available to local governments to pursue clean energy
You understand this need better than anyone.
With support at other levels of government lagging behind, it’s the communities that you live in, work in, and care about that are taking the lead in the fight against climate change.
This toolkit, which is already receiving praise and attention in the media, would not be possible without conservation voters like you. All across the state, folks like you are making it clear to their elected representatives that action now on clean energy is not only possible, it’s vital to our future – from a health and environmental perspective and an economic one.
We’re deeply grateful to you for helping make the toolkit possible, and thankful for our partners and supporters in this endeavor. We encourage you to share this link with friends and family and your local elected leaders: wicleanenergytoolkit.com
The more communities understand they’re not alone when it comes to taking care of our environment and health – the better.
Climate change in Wisconsin.
Human-driven climate change is scientific fact and Wisconsin is already suffering because of it.
Reduced corn harvests, unprecedented flooding, disrupted wildlife migration, toxic algae blooms in our lakes, degradation of water quality in the Great Lakes, even increased mosquito hatches – climate change is already having serious detrimental effects in Wisconsin . (1)
Unfortunately, Wisconsin relies almost entirely on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for its electricity. Since it has no reserves of fossil fuels, Wisconsin imports millions of dollars of coal and other fossil fuels from places like Wyoming and Illinois each year. (2)
Meanwhile, many of our Midwestern neighbors have invested in clean energy. Wisconsin ranks behind states like Kansas, Nebraska, and South and North Dakota in the creation of renewable energy jobs. (3)
Gov. Tony Evers has demonstrated his commitment to clean energy through his executive order, which puts Wisconsin on a path toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050, and communities across the state are leading the charge by taking steps locally to embrace clean energy policy and goals.
In Eau Claire, the city council has pledged to work toward 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. The City of Green Bay recently approved a Sustainability Commission that will work to find local clean energy solutions. Dane County has invested heavily in clean energy programs like methane capture from its landfill to run its snowplow fleet and solar panels to save millions in electricity costs each year.
On the local level.
There is so much opportunity at the local level to advance the development of clean energy in a time when progress in higher levels of government might be slower. We don't need to wait for the state and federal government to do something about clean energy. We can make change now in our local communities
Currently nearly 1 in 3 Americans are represented by governments who have made clean energy commitments. In Wisconsin, communities like Eau Claire and Green Bay have proven that they can lead the clean energy charge. Wisconsin Conservation Voters has worked with our members, partner groups, local elected officials, and businesses to pass resolutions committing to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and help communities find their next steps with resources like the Clean Energy Toolkit.
Passed local clean energy policies:
City of Eau Claire
City of Milwaukee
City of Madison
City of Middleton
City of Menomonie
City of La Crosse
City of Green Bay
Eau Claire County
Dane County
La Crosse County
Eau Claire Area School District
Green Bay Area Public School District
Madison Metropolitan School District
Active campaigns
City of Wauwatosa
Brown County
Menomonie School District Board
City of Elm Grove
Contact us at info@conservationvoices.org with help starting a campaign for 100 percent clean energy by 2050 in your community!
While these local initiatives hold great promise, urging elected leaders at all levels – local, state, and federal – to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 is crucial.
Conservation voters across the state are leading the way toward a clean energy future for all.