Defender the
clean water • clean air • clean energy Winter 2011
our Strength comes from you By Mark Redsten, Executive Director
also inside Legislative Agenda Great Lakes News Cleaning Up Valley Water Pollution Solution
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www.cleanwisconsin.org
Together, we share a fundamental belief that every Wisconsinite deserves clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Together, it is our duty to protect these natural resources. At Clean Wisconsin, we’re driven by a shared vision to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. With your help, we have made progress toward this vision over four decades. In 40 years of environmental advocacy, we have learned that Wisconsin can remain a green state whether the political landscape is red, purple or blue. The new political atmosphere is no exception. While the majority of incoming elected leaders may be focused on job creation and economic recovery, we know that healthy economies depend on a healthy environment. As such, we are confident there will be environmental achievements in the new political landscape. In our four decades of experience, we have learned that environmental progress transcends party politics. With your support, our vision of a cleaner future can endure political change. Many of our recent victories demonstrate the economic and job-creating value of environmental policies. From energy efficiency advances, investments in homegrown energy and mercury rules to protect our waters and fishing tradition, you can’t ignore the economic benefits of environmental policies. Clean Wisconsin will work with the new legislature to find shared interests and common ground. More than ever, we will need your support. Our strength in the Capitol comes from you: Our credibility with the new governor and legislature is rooted in our strong, statewide membership. As the state government changes, you can count on Clean Wisconsin to be your environmental voice and aggressively advocate for the environment and move forward as we protect the special places that make our state a wonderful place to live, work and play.
Thank you for your continued support!
Election Wrap-up Republicans now control the governor’s office, the state Senate and state Assembly, which were all controlled by Democrats in the last session. With this 180-degree flip, things will operate differently than before. A few facts about the 2011-’12 Legislature • Of the 132 legislators in the Senate and Assembly, 38 new legislators were sworn in January 3, the largest number of new legislators since 1982. Half have no previous government experience. • Brothers Scott (R-Juneau) and Jeff (RHoricon) Fitzgerald were elected leaders of the Senate and Assembly, respectively. Other notable committee assignments for Clean Wisconsin’s work include: • Natural Resources/Environment committee is chaired by Sen. Neal Kedzie (see page 6) (R-Elkhorn) and Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz). • Energy/Utility committee is chaired by Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay), Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee), and Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee). • Agriculture committee is chaired by Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby). • The powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee is chaired by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington). If you live in these legislators’ districts, your voice is critically important. These committee chairs often make key decisions with regard to the issues that you care about. We will be in touch as the session develops to encourage contact with your legislators. —Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
Healthy Environment= HealthY Economy We know that healthy economies depend on a healthy environment. Here are just a few examples of that: Tourism: In 2009, Wisconsin’s tourism industry generated almost $12.1 billion in travel expenditures and brought in $6.72 billion in resident income. Fishing, hunting & wildlife viewing: These activities generate over $4 billion in economic output, $142 million in sales tax revenue per year, and support more than 45,000 jobs in Wisconsin. The state’s fishing industry alone brings $2.75 billion every year. Agriculture: Wisconsin’s agricultural industry is fundamentally dependent on the availability of clean water, undeveloped land, and productive soils. In 2008, agriculture generated $51.5 billion in economic activity in Wisconsin. Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency not only helps reduce pollution by reducing our need for dirty coal-fired power, it also helps homeowners save money and improves the bottom line for Wisconsin businesses. For every $1 invested in Focus on Energy, the state’s energy efficiency program, homeowners and businesses have saved $2.50. Clean energy: From 2006-’09, the clean energy technology industry attracted more than $46 million in venture capital to Wisconsin. —Compiled by Clean Wisconsin & WLCV More post-election coverage on page 3