Sen. Kelda Roys Unveils Bold Energy Platform
Plan will lower costs, clean up our air, protect our water, and stand up to big tech, including an executive order to protect communities from data centers
MADISON – State Senator Kelda Roys, Democratic candidate for governor, today announced a comprehensive energy plan that charts a course to 100% clean energy by 2050, delivers lower utility costs for Wisconsin families and businesses, and establishes strong statewide safeguards against unregulated data centers and AI development.
“Combating climate change is our century’s challenge, and Wisconsin has every advantage we need to lead,” said Sen. Roys. “Wind and solar are now the cheapest and fastest new sources of energy — meaning the transition to clean power isn’t just good for our environment, it’s the smart financial choice for Wisconsin families and our economy.”
STANDING UP TO BIG TECH AND AI EXPLOITATION
Sen. Roys continues to sound the alarm on hyperscale data centers, which are placing extraordinary new demands on Wisconsin’s energy grid and water resources, cutting deals in secret, and causing significant concern across the state. She has already sponsored legislation — Senate Bill 729 — to establish meaningful statewide guardrails requiring data center developments to meet strict standards for environmental and water protection, workers’ rights and prevailing wage, local control, and ratepayer protections.
“Wisconsinites shouldn’t be subsidizing data centers run by the richest, most powerful companies in the history of the world. They must pay their own way and to pay enhanced rates for the infrastructure and energy they use,” said Sen. Roys. “We cannot allow any data centers to be built or operated without strong state-level safeguards.”
On day one as Governor, Sen. Roys would issue an executive order directing state agencies, including the PSC and DNR, to immediately use their full lawful authority to enforce proper environmental and water use protections, protect ratepayers from increased energy costs, and properly vet all proposals for new energy or transmission required by data centers. She would also establish a Wisconsin public negotiation team to support local communities facing sophisticated legal pressure from Big Tech giants like Meta and Google.
BIG IDEAS TO BUILD WISCONSIN’S CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY
Sen. Roys will establish a public infrastructure bank, capitalized by upfront payments made by large data center developers — providing no-interest financing for clean energy upgrades, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and solar installations at schools and public buildings across the state. Communities would repay the loans over time through energy savings, delivering cleaner energy and long-term savings for taxpayers.
Sen. Roys sees the clean energy transition as a defining economic opportunity for Wisconsin. Her platform calls for investment in advanced battery technology, fusion energy, quantum computing, and clean manufacturing — positioning Wisconsin as a national technological leader in the high-growth clean energy sector, while ensuring strong worker protections and safety standards on every energy project.
A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE THAT PUTS WISCONSIN FIRST
Because Wisconsin has no fossil fuel reserves, every dollar spent on hydrocarbons leaves the state. Sen. Roys’ platform prioritizes homegrown renewable energy — including solar, wind, and geothermal — to keep energy dollars circulating in Wisconsin’s economy, create high-paying local jobs, and leverage the state’s world-class research institutions and skilled manufacturing workforce. Her plan will make it easier and faster to build renewable energy infrastructure, accelerate the retirement of coal-fired power plants, and expand access to clean energy for renters, low-income households, and farmers who do not currently benefit from plans prioritizing rooftop solar.
LOWERING COSTS AND PROTECTING CONSUMERS
Sen. Roys will appoint Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioners who are consumer watchdogs, not utility company lapdogs – and will increase the PSC’s staff capacity so that they can meaningfully regulate the industry. She will also increase the budget of the Citizens Utility Board to ensure ratepayers and low-income consumers have a strong voice in challenging rate increases. Her plan expands Wisconsin’s successful Focus on Energy conservation program and creates a new commercial and industrial counterpart, prioritizing on a simple principle: the cheapest kilowatt is the one we never use.
About Sen. Kelda Roys
Kelda Roys is a proven fighter who’s been standing up to bullies and billionaires like Trump for 25 years. Roys is an attorney, small business owner, legislative leader, and mom and stepmom of five, who spent her early years in rural Taylor County, north of Highway 29, and now represents Dane County in the State Senate. Her unparalleled experience in state government, including over 2 decades of passing progressive legislation in the toughest political environments, make her the strongest candidate to beat Tom Tiffany and govern Wisconsin.
Roys has been a champion for public education, from early childhood to K12 to higher ed, as well as expanding access to healthcare and protecting abortion rights. She is running for governor to deliver higher wages, lower costs, and more freedom.
Friends of Kelda Roys
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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