Gov. Evers, Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy Release 2024 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report

KENOSHA — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE), during a visit to Gateway Technical College’s Center for Sustainable Living today, highlighted the release of the second Clean Energy Plan Progress Report. 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 progress report released today showcases Wisconsin’s progress towards minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the implementation of clean energy sources while working to create thousands of new jobs and lowering energy bills and prices for working families across Wisconsin.

“We shouldn’t have to choose between mitigating climate change and protecting our environment and good jobs and economic development, and this progress report shows that we can and are doing both,” said Gov. Evers. “Through our efforts, we’re supporting green jobs, bolstering the health of our state, and building a robust clean energy economy to build the clean, sustainable future Wisconsinites deserve. Whether it’s realizing clean energy solutions for rural Wisconsin, building an energy-efficient future in the construction industry, developing electric vehicle infrastructure, and more, the Clean Energy Progress Report outlines meaningful steps we’re taking to respond to Wisconsin’s climate challenges. I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made up to this point and looking forward to continuing to build upon this work moving forward.”

In 2019, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #38 to create the OSCE, charging the office 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 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Gov. Evers announced the release of the first Clean Energy Plan Progress Report last year.

“Through meaningful community engagement, collaborative effort, and a dedication to supporting our clean energy economy, I’m proud that we’re leading by example and working on a variety of solutions for our state’s climate challenges,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld.

“I am incredibly proud of the progress Wisconsin state agencies have made in just two years toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said OSCE Director Maria Redmond. “Our commitment to transitioning to clean energy has not only prioritized a healthier Wisconsin but has also ensured that this journey is just and equitable for all. As we continue to move forward, our office looks forward to expanding relationships and partnerships that will drive innovation, enhance our collective efforts, and build a more resilient and inclusive clean energy landscape for the state.”

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.

A key component of the Clean Energy Plan is the creation of an estimated 40,000 jobs by 2030, and the newly completed 2024 Clean Energy Progress Report exemplifies Wisconsin’s commitment to workforce development through major investments in job training and apprenticeship programs in clean energy industries and technologies, supporting Gov. Evers’ declaration of 2024 being the “Year of the Worker.”

The 2024 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report also highlights Wisconsin’s advancement toward an inclusive and equitable transition to clean energy. In April, the state of Wisconsin was awarded $62.4 million from the Biden-Harris Administration to help fund solar systems for low- and moderate-income households across Wisconsin. Additionally, the OSCE received a $3 million planning grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. This funding helped lead the effort to effectively address climate impacts, improve workforce opportunities, and address environmental justice for disadvantaged communities, which is further defined in Wisconsin’s first Emissions Reduction Roadmap. According to the Wisconsin Institute on Climate Change Impacts report from 2021, “reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating an equitable transition to renewable energy is the best way to minimize the impacts of future warming, protect our economy, and reduce risk to human health.”

The state’s clean energy transition also focuses on the accessibility of electric vehicle infrastructure. In May, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation awarded $23.3 million to support private industry construction of charging stations across Wisconsin through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program under the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The 53 selected applicants include fuel retailers, hotels, and restaurants. In addition, Two Tribal Nations will receive over $800,000 in funding, and 13 selected sites will be installed in disadvantaged communities. Wisconsin is the first state to award NEVI funds to a Tribal 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 achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
• In May 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 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 his 2024 State of the State Address, the governor announced the Wisconsin DNR and Tribal partners, including the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Menominee Nation, and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, were awarded $1.9 million through the America the Beautiful Challenge to foster effective manoomin (wild rice) management through state and Tribal intergovernmental collaboration, modeled after similar initiatives from the governor’s previous state budget proposals. Partners will leverage the funding to develop strategic outreach, engagement, and implementation methods. Spiritually, culturally, and nutritionally important to Native Americans in Wisconsin, manoomin is particularly vulnerable to a range of climate change impacts.
• 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 32 million trees since Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, bringing the state more than 40 percent towards its goal just three years into the pledge. With the increase to 100 million new trees, the pledge would enable the state to store and exchange a total of 4.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide per year in mature trees planted due to the state’s Trillion Trees Pledge alone.
• 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.

The full 2024 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report is available here.

An online version of this release 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.