Defender Winter 2013
we believe everyone deserves clean water and clean air join us:
Our Legislative Priorities By Amber Meyer Smith, Director of Programs & Government Relations
Focus on Energy Wisconsin has historically led the country in energy efficiency, due in large part to the statewide Focus on Energy program. Funding for that program was cut by $60 million in the 2011 state budget, even though a December 2011 Legislative Audit Bureau report confirms that Focus saves homeowners and businesses $2.30 for every $1 invested in the program. We are working to restore funding by building relationships with legislative leaders and looking at options to maximize the job-creation and money-saving benefits of the program.
Mining We continue to fight changes to current law that roll back environmental protections, silence the voice of the public and remove decision-making from the permit process. Read more about the current mining debate on page 4.
Recycling The 2011 Budget slashed funds for recycling by 40%. Clean Wisconsin will continue to fight to restore those cuts and promote the popular recycling program.
The last legislative session brought some of the worst bills Clean Wisconsin has seen in its more than four decades of fighting for Wisconsin’s environment. Luckily, with a strong presence in the Capitol, coupled with the dedication of our members, we were able to defeat many of the most egregious bills. We expect to see more attempts to roll back environmental legislation this session. We will vigilantly watch for attempts to weaken environmental law, and use all the tools at our disposal to fight any attempt to roll back protections for our air and water. But it’s not all bad; we also are working to move a number of policies forward.
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Here are this session’s priorities.
Wind Siting Clean Wisconsin continues to oppose efforts to repeal the wind siting rules, which create a fair and consistent structure for developing wind in Wisconsin. Without consistent statewide regulations, Wisconsin loses the millions of dollars in economic development benefits that the wind industry offers our state, while continuing to rely on dirty fossil fuels for our energy production.
Clean Energy Choice
Up-front financing costs can be a significant barrier for a farmer, homeowner or business owner who wants to install a renewable energy system. Clean energy choice allows people to host a renewable energy system while having a third partydesign, install, operate and maintain the system on their property, much like leasing a car, and reap the environmental and economic benefits of having direct access to a clean, reliable energy source. While more than 22 states and many national businesses prosper as a result of this policy, current ambiguities in Wisconsin law make it difficult for third-party providers to offer residents and businesses this option. By changing current law to allow a third party to own a renewable energy system and sell the power back to the host farmer, homeowner or business through a clean energy contract, we can break down a key accessibility barrier to clean, renewable energy. Read more on page 6. See “Priorities” on page 3
Also in this issue
The Same Old: The “new” mining bill Clean Energy Choice Do The Math tour