Defender
Summer 2014
wejoinbelieve everyone us: deserves clean water and clean air
SET FOR SUCCESS
Wisconsin is well-positioned to meet EPA’s new carbon pollution limits By Clean Wisconsin Staff
up to
up to
By the Numbers 34% Target reduction in Wisconsin 10% Reduction already achieved decrease in consumer 8% Expected energy bills, 2030 6,600 Fewer premature deaths and asthma attacks in children 150,000 Fewer thanks to cleaner air
We’re seeing history in the making. In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new carbon pollution limits, limits the American utility industry has not seen before. Considering that power plants create 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, these limits are necessary to address climate change. Here in Wisconsin, power plants would have to reduce their rate of carbon pollution to 34% below 2005 levels by 2030. Yet we are optimistic and supportive. While more than half our power comes from coal-fired power plants, our utilities are well-positioned to comply with the rules. That’s thanks to two primary factors: We have a 15-year track record of progress with clean energy and energy efficiency programs, and investor-owned utilities here already decreased emissions by 14% between 2005 and 2012. What’s more is that many utilities have expressed a willingness to continue cutting carbon, operating more efficiently and making progress toward the goal. Alliant Energy’s CEO Patricia Kampling, for example, recently said the cuts could be both “achievable and cost-effective.” Wisconsin manufacturers, clean energy companies and farmers all stand to financially benefit from implementing clean energy solutions, and this is an excellent opportunity to help Wisconsin keep more of the $12 billion we spend on out-of-state fossil fuels each year in its pocket. That money can be put to work here to create good jobs in a fast-growing sector for the benefit of hardworking families throughout our state.
What We’re Doing
Thanks to your support, Clean Wisconsin has been a leader in this historic call for carbon reduction. For more than two years, we’ve been meeting with utilities across the state and region to understand their challenges and to work collaboratively to meet those challenges. We’ve continued on page 4
THE CHANGING FACE
Clean Wisconsin 634 W. Main St., #300 Madison, WI 53703-2500
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1291 Madison, WI
of the Legislature What does high turnover mean for our work? By Amber Meyer Smith, Director of Programs & Government Relations
Also in this issue
A near-record number of legislators are choosing not to run for re-election this year. When the legislature returns in January 2015, at least 23 legislators will be brand new. Considering there are only 132 legislators, that means at least 17% will be new faces. Of course, that doesn’t account for what might happen in the November elections, and it’s likely that number will grow even larger. That might not seem like a lot, but add that to the 31 new state legislators elected since 2012, and it means in just two years, 41% of the legislature will be new. Among the legislators leaving are some great environmental champions: • Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) has led numerous environmental efforts, most recently against changes to Wisconsin’s iron mining laws. • Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), a forester, was a leader on many natural resource issues. • Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) has authored numerous environmental protection bills. continued on page 3
30th Street Industrial Corridor Work | Microbeads Update | More!