Gov. Evers, Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy Release 2025 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report 

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE), today highlighted the release of the 2025 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report, underscoring achievements made over the last year to advance goals established by the state’s Clean Energy Plan. The progress report released today details Wisconsin’s advances in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy sources while also creating thousands of new jobs and lowering energy costs for families across Wisconsin, as well as investing in job training and apprenticeship programs in innovative industries and technologies. During 2025 the Year of the Kid, the progress report also highlights stories of youth-driven initiatives, helping to create a more sustainable future for Wisconsin.

“A clean energy economy is as much about protecting the health of our communities as it is about protecting the health of our environment; it’s also about creating significant economic opportunities for folks across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “Our state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan helped chart the course toward a stronger, more sustainable clean energy future by lowering energy costs for working families, creating good-paying jobs in innovative industries, and building the healthier future that our kids and grandkids deserve. I’m proud of all of my administration’s work to move these important priorities forward, and we’re going to keep working to ensure this progress continues and that Wisconsin has a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future.”

“I’m proud that as a state, we’re leading by example and working collaboratively to find successful solutions for our state’s climate challenges,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “Gov. Evers has been at the forefront of ensuring Wisconsin is working toward achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement in addressing climate change and that of our state’s Clean Energy Plan, ensuring energy independence as well as efforts to lower costs for Wisconsin families.”

In accordance with Gov. Evers’ Executive Order #38, which created the OSCE, the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan was released in 2022, providing a roadmap for the state to lower energy bills and prices at the pump for Wisconsin families, promote energy independence by reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, create an estimated more than 40,000 jobs by 2030, and invest in job training and apprenticeship programs in innovative industries and technologies. The order also established the state’s goal to reach 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050 and charged the OSCE with ensuring the state is fulfilling the carbon reduction goals of the Paris Agreement.

“We are still seeing strong momentum across the state supporting our shift to a clean energy economy, while prioritizing environmental justice and workforce development,” said OSCE Director Maria Redmond. “We remain committed to our core values of equity, justice, and collective action; these principles continue to guide us and help shape our vision of a clean energy future that benefits all Wisconsinites.”

Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan focuses on four foundational pathways to ensure a clean, reliable, and affordable energy future in Wisconsin:

• Accelerate clean energy technology deployment: Increasing funding options for projects, investing in infrastructure, new emissions goals, expanding state energy resources for generation, technology innovation, equitable expansion of clean energy, and leveraging existing policies and programs.
• Maximize energy efficiency: Strengthening energy efficiency standards and programs to reduce energy waste, create jobs, and save consumers money on energy costs.
• Modernize buildings and industry: Addressing building codes, supporting electrification, expanding funding, and supporting industry and businesses in their transition.
• Innovate transportation: Supporting the transition to low- to no-emission vehicles and supporting refueling options, along with planning and increased options to move people around.

The 2025 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report is available on OSCE’s website here and highlights progress in clean energy deployment and emissions reductions that, among many other accomplishments, includes:

• Significant emissions cuts from utility-scale electricity generation, with Wisconsin utilities on track to achieve a projected 72 percent decrease in emissions by 2030;
• Establishing the state’s first green bank to finance clean energy projects, which issued its first Request for Information, resulting in a portfolio of 91 projects, and became a founding member of the U.S. Green Bank 50, a coalition of Green Banks from around the country;
• Investments to improve the resilience and reliability of the electric grid and improving service in rural areas; and
• Approval of Wisconsin’s largest solar project with 1300 MW of generation and 300 MW of energy storage, among many other detailed accomplishments.

Additionally, the report highlights Wisconsin’s success as the first state in the nation to launch the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program, aimed at lowering the costs of whole-home energy-saving projects. Soon after, the state introduced the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program, which provides discounts on energy-efficient electric appliances. Since launching the programs, over $2 million in rebates have been paid to Wisconsin households to install popular energy-efficient measures, including air sealing, insulation, heat pumps for cooling and heating, and electric panels and wiring.

The report also uplifts the work being done by Wisconsin youth, including the Chippewa Falls High School Green Team, which is working to promote a more sustainable future for their school and community by completing numerous large projects, including working to install multiple solar panels in nearby communities and securing funding to install solar panels at a local youth camp.

Building on progress made in 2024, the Evers Administration has continued to champion these efforts to fight for Wisconsin’s clean energy future in 2025, including:

• Celebrating the opening of the first EV charging stations in Wisconsin, funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program;
• Joining a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to block NEVI Formula Program funding the state expected to receive to support EV infrastructure projects across the state;
• Gov. Evers’ appointment as co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom;
• The governor’s approval of significant legislation to advance the state’s nuclear energy innovation;
• The approval of the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which lowers out-of-pocket energy and utility costs for Wisconsinites by eliminating the sales tax on household energy bills and directs $2 million to conduct the nuclear feasibility study, which will help assess the potential of future nuclear generation facilities in the state;
• Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Home Energy Rebate Programs in Wisconsin; and
• Joining the U.S. Climate Alliance’s Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, a multi-state effort focused on helping America transition to cleaner and more affordable cars, supporting U.S. automotive manufacturers and workers, and improving air quality for everyone.

Throughout the year, Gov. Evers and his administration have also remained steadfast in fighting federal attempts to slash and claw back millions in already approved and agreed-upon dollars for clean energy innovation, both in Wisconsin and across the nation.

EFFORTS OF EVERS ADMINISTRATION TO ADVANCE CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND CLEAN ENERGY

• In February 2019, Gov. Evers joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors representing nearly 57 percent of the U.S. economy and 54 percent of the U.S. population. The U.S. Climate Alliance is committed to securing a net-zero future in America by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action solutions and collectively achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
• In August 2019, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #38, creating the OSCE, charged with developing the Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan to promote the development and use of clean and renewable energy across the state, advance innovative sustainability solutions that improve the state’s economy and environment, and diversify the resources used to meet the state’s energy needs. The order also established the state’s goal to reach 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050 and charged the OSCE with ensuring the state is fulfilling the carbon reduction goals of the Paris Agreement.
• In October 2019, the governor signed Executive Order #52, creating the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, which advised and assisted the governor in developing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change for the benefit of all Wisconsin communities.
• In April 2021, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, joining the global Trillion Trees Pledge and committing to plant 75 million new trees in rural and urban areas and conserve 125,000 acres of forest in Wisconsin by the end of 2030 in collaboration with public, private, and non-governmental partners.
• On April 19, 2022, Gov. Evers announced the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan, which outlines strategies to lower energy bills for families, reduce reliance on out-of-state energy sources, invest in job and apprenticeship training, and create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.
• In April 2022, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #161 to create the Office of Environmental Justice at DOA, as recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change and again by the OSCE in the Clean Energy Plan. The Office of Environmental Justice works in collaboration with the OSCE to facilitate collaboration across state agencies to provide strategies to promote environmentally just policies and prevent disparate outcomes in communities across the state while engaging with farmers and rural communities, communities of color, Tribal Nations, state and local partners, and low-income populations, among other key stakeholders.
• In April 2023, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #195, which created the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation to advise on creating the state’s first-ever Green Innovation Fund. Both the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change and the state’s Clean Energy Plan recommend that the state of Wisconsin evaluate options for a “green bank” to support the development and deployment of next-generation environmental and clean energy technologies and projects in Wisconsin, helping to create jobs and reduce energy costs for families and businesses.
• In April 2024, on Earth Day, the governor announced that the state is increasing its Trillion Trees Pledge planting goal from 75 million trees by the end of 2030 to planting 100 million trees by the end of 2030. Wisconsin has planted more than 42 million trees since Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, bringing the state more than 40 percent towards its goal.
• In May 2024, Gov. Evers announced he would be joining the U.S. Climate Alliance’s executive committee, which oversees the strategic direction of the bipartisan coalition of governors. Gov. Evers will be the first governor from the Midwest to join the Alliance leadership since its inception.
• In August 2024, Gov. Evers announced the launch of the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program. Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to launch the HOMES Program to deliver rebates to households undertaking whole-home, energy-saving improvements under the new program.
• In September 2024, Gov. Evers highlighted the launch of the U.S. Climate Alliance Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative, which aims to expand the clean energy workforce nationwide and support job and apprenticeship training in innovative industries and technologies by training 1 million new registered apprentices by 2035 across the Alliance’s member states and territories.
• In January 2025, Gov. Evers celebrated the opening of the first EV charging stations in Wisconsin funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.
• Following federal threats to freeze or delay funding for critical infrastructure projects across Wisconsin, in May, Gov. Evers announced Wisconsin joined a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to block NEVI Formula Program funding the state expected to receive to support EV infrastructure projects across the state. Thanks to these efforts, in June, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration’s action, and now, 15 already-approved EV infrastructure projects for private entities, utilizing approximately $7 million in NEVI funding, that were initially blocked are now able to move forward in Wisconsin. However, federal threats to the future of this impactful program remain.
• In May 2025, Gov. Evers was appointed co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, along with California Gov. Newsom.
• In July 2025, Gov. Evers signed two bills to advance the state’s nuclear energy innovation by requiring a study of nuclear energy opportunities and potential nuclear power and fusion sites in Wisconsin and creating a Nuclear Power Summit Board designed to help advance nuclear power and fusion technology and development and showcase Wisconsin’s leadership in the nuclear industry.
• A few days later, Gov. Evers signed the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which lowers out-of-pocket energy and utility costs for Wisconsinites by eliminating the sales tax on household energy bills, saving Wisconsin households over $178 million over the next two years.
• The 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers also directs $2 million to conduct the nuclear feasibility study, which will help assess the potential of future nuclear generation facilities in the state.
• In August 2025, Gov. Tony Evers celebrated the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Home Energy Rebate Programs in Wisconsin, which have helped residents statewide reduce energy use and lower utility bills. Wisconsin was the very first state to make energy efficiency upgrades available under the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program and remains one of only five states in the country to offer both the HOMES Program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program. Since launching the programs, over $2 million in rebates have been paid to Wisconsin households to install popular energy-efficient measures, including air sealing, insulation, heat pumps for cooling and heating, and electric panels and wiring.
• Earlier this month, Gov. Evers announced that Wisconsin has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance’s Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, joining 12 states focused on helping America transition to cleaner and more affordable cars, supporting U.S. automotive manufacturers and workers, and improving air quality for everyone.

The full 2025 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report is available here.

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.