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New coalition wants to fast track Wisconsin’s transition to clean energy. Here’s what to know.

Caitlin Looby
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A new statewide coalition wants to harness some of the federal funding coming into Wisconsin and use it to accelerate the transition to become a carbon-free state by 2050.  

On Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined a dozen organizations focused on the environment to announce the partnership, called the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin.

“With a historic state budget surplus and billions of federal dollars coming into our state to support this critical work we can make real, meaningful progress,” said Gov. Tony Evers at the launch event. 

“A clean energy economy is a win for everybody,” he said.

So, what is the clean energy economy? And how will the coalition help achieve Wisconsin’s clean energy goals? Here’s what you should know. 

Who is involved in the coalition?

The 12 members of the coalition are Action for the Climate Emergency, Audubon Great Lakes, Clean Wisconsin, Elevate, The Nature Conservancy, RENEW Wisconsin, Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter, Slipstream, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.

The goals range from reducing energy use in buildings to phasing out the use of natural gas in homes and businesses to dramatically increasing the sale of electric vehicles. The idea is to increase the state's energy independence and spur clean energy development while improving the environment and lessening the damage done by fossil fuels.

Wind turbines hover near a farm outside of Algoma.

What is the language of a clean energy economy?

Here are some terms to know when talking about the clean energy economy:

  • Clean energy: Energy that comes from sources that do not release greenhouse gases into the air. Wind, solar and nuclear energy are all considered clean energy, although there are many concerns over the toxic waste released in nuclear energy.
  • Electrification: Electrification replaces technologies that use fossil fuels with technologies that use electricity for energy.
  • Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources like coal, natural gas, crude oil and petroleum products used to produce heat, power or electricity. When fossil fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – into the air, causing global warming. 
  • Net zero emissions: When carbon emissions released by human activity are less than those removed from the atmosphere. 
  • Renewable energy: Energy that is derived from natural sources that are replenished over time, like wind and solar. 

More:How Gov. Evers hopes to address 'forever chemicals,' conserve land, protect the Great Lakes in his newest budget proposal

How would clean energy impact Wisconsin’s economy?

The transition to clean energy would help to avoid the negative economic impacts of climate change while also boosting the state’s economy, said Chelsea Chandler, Climate, Energy and Air program director at Clean Wisconsin, one of the partners in the new coalition.

In Wisconsin, reaching net zero emissions by 2050 would add $16 billion to the state’s economy, save up to $4.4 billion in healthcare costs, create 68,000 jobs and lower out-of-pocket costs for energy, according to a report published last year by Clean Wisconsin.

At the launch event, Evers said that many of these clean energy jobs will not require a college degree and will help make the state more energy independent. 

Clean energy can also help keep jobs in rural communities, Chandler said, helping to keep younger people in these areas and pass on the rural legacy of farming and land stewardship.

Why is clean energy seen as advancing environmental justice?

Communities of color and low-income communities face disproportionately higher levels of fossil fuel pollution, which can negatively impact health. 

After New York and Pennsylvania, Wisconsin has the third highest racial disparity in the country when it comes to particulate pollution, which is formed from emissions from fossil fuel-burning power plants as well as manufacturing plants and vehicles, according to an analysis published last year by Clean Wisconsin.

Transitioning to a clean economy, and getting rid of fossil fuel-derived pollution, would help to advance environmental justice in Wisconsin, Chandler said.

More:Solar farms or fields of corn grown to make ethanol. Which is the best way to use farm land?

What are some of the coalition's broad goals?

The coalition is calling for building more solar and wind farms and stopping new fossil fuel infrastructure.

It wants policies that make public transportation “cleaner” and can move more people around safely and efficiently. Along with that would come investments in bike and pedestrian infrastructure. 

The coalition would also like investments to be made in agriculture and in rural communities to help food be grown in a more sustainable way, minimize soil erosion and improve the quality of drinking water.

Solar panels are set up to provide power to Circle M Farm in Blanchardville.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @caitlooby.

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