Wisconsin Midterm Election Centers on Affordability, Clean Energy on the Ballot

MILWAUKEE – The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW) released the following statement in response to the results of Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary elections:

With Wisconsin’s primaries now decided, our state enters a general election that will help shape one of the most consequential issues facing families and businesses: energy affordability.

The next governor and legislature will make decisions that impact every family’s household budget. The core question: Does Wisconsin meet its rapidly growing energy demand through costly fossil fuels that rely on dirty gas or coal, or cheaper, reliable clean energy like wind, solar and batteries?

Let us be clear: clean energy like wind and solar, paired with battery technology, is the fastest, most affordable way to meet Wisconsin’s growing energy demand. When comparing megawatt-hour costs, clean energy sources without subsidies continue to be the most affordable options for constructing new power facilities. This remains true even as rising interest rates, trade tariffs and supply chain shifts have caused expenses to increase across the board for every type of energy production.

Candidates across the political spectrum for governor and the legislature have expressed concern about significant increases in utility rates and the strain data centers could put on our grid and our bills. But they disagree on the fix.

Some candidates have promised to invest in solar, energy retrofits and clean infrastructure – creating thousands of union jobs across Wisconsin and lowering energy costs. Others oppose clean energy investments outright and claim that wind and solar are driving up the cost of electricity.

We are concerned about any policies that restrict access to low-cost clean energy and put Wisconsin families and small businesses at risk of higher energy bills.

The stakes are real. Wisconsin’s energy bills have risen at twice the rate of inflation, with no signs of slowing. Families and small businesses are absorbing that increase, while already juggling rising costs for housing, groceries and health care. Meanwhile, data centers built for Big Tech giants like Meta and Microsoft are adding significant new demand to our grid, a trend that will continue to accelerate energy needs and costs statewide.

The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin looks forward to engaging with the public during this voting season to discuss these important issues and working with leaders to advance energy policy that puts affordability, reliability and public health first for Wisconsin families and businesses.

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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