Local leaders urge Wisconsin congressional members to stand up for clean energy and local control
MADISON – More than 70 locally elected officials signed a joint letter urging Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to speak out against a recent executive order from the Trump Administration. The executive order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify state and local climate and clean energy laws to be challenged by the federal government within 60 days. Dozens of Wisconsin communities have committed to achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050 or earlier. The executive order threatens shovel-ready projects and policies that communities have enacted to reach their goals.
“Counties, cities, towns, villages, and school boards have enacted clean energy commitments by the will of their people through the democratic process. Since President Trump has released a slew of executive orders that have ignored what local communities want, we’re calling on Wisconsin’s representatives in Congress to stand up for their constituents,” said Casey Hicks, Federal Government Affairs Manager. Polling from the Hart Research Associates shows Americans broadly oppose President Trump’s efforts to stop the clean energy transition and 57 percent say they oppose cutting clean energy investments.
Motivated by President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords in 2017, the City of Eau Claire’s city council passed a resolution committing themselves to achieving 100 percent clean energy that same year. Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge spoke about the progress the city has made since. “The City of Eau Claire is proud to lead on sustainability and clean energy – protecting natural resources, saving taxpayer dollars, and building a city where people want to live, work, and play. From public-private solar partnerships and pollinator-friendly landscapes to EV infrastructure, we’re making smart, climate-friendly choices that reflect the values of our residents. We don’t need top-down extreme executive orders to care for our community – we’re already getting the job done.”
The City of Madison was one of the first Wisconsin municipalities to commit to 100 percent clean energy. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway added: “Here in Madison, we are investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to create family-supporting jobs and improve the health of our community. Our community supports these efforts because they are working, and they make Madison a better place to live. Our local government’s ability to innovate should not be hampered by extreme and unconstitutional executive orders from the federal government.”
Wisconsin Conservation Voters intends to continue working alongside local elected officials to push back on federal overreach and ensure communities continue the clean energy transition.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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