Task Force sparks new initiatives

Wisconsin Governor Doyle's Global Warming Task Force (GWTF), for which WPPI Energy president and CEO Roy Thilly served as co-chair, issued a comprehensive set of recommendations in 2008. Work has now begun to implement those recommendations, and we continue to play an active role in the formation of state policies and regulations.

In response to the work of the GWTF, Governor Doyle created a new non-profit organization, the Wisconsin Climate Change Action Initiative (WCCAI). This organization, which was formed as a result of a Task Force recommendation, brings together leaders of business, government, non-governmental advocacy organization and the research community to increase voluntary conservation practices. WCCAI will provide education, practical advice and expertise to residents, communities and businesses, focusing on simple steps to reduce carbon footprint without affecting comfort or productivity. WPPI Energy is a financial supporter of WCCAI, and Roy Thilly serves on the Board of Directors.

Another outgrowth of the Governor's GWTF has been the formation of The Coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin's Economy (CREWE). WPPI Energy is a founding member of CREWE, a non-profit coalition of business leaders advocating for prompt action to implement the recommendations of the GWTF and to achieve meaningful energy policy change.

Through CREWE, business stakeholders will partner with state administrators, task force members, lawmakers and other businesses and stakeholders to influence state energy policy. CREWE supports moving forward with specific actions to address climate change; create jobs; promote energy efficiency, reliability and energy independence; and mitigate the economic impact of rising energy costs. The coalition supports energy policies that transition Wisconsin to a sound economy based on new "green jobs" and investment in renewable energy technologies.

In order to influence state legislative developments regarding wind energy, WPPI Energy has joined Wind for Wisconsin, a group that supports wind siting reform. Currently, a series of local government actions across the state threatens to undermine the ability to site new wind farms. Bills currently in the House and Senate would result in common, statewide standards for regulation of construction and operation of wind energy systems smaller than 100 MW. WPPI Energy and the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin have urged the legislature to act quickly in standardizing these regulations.