Eliminate the “Four Poison Pills” in the Energy Bill—Call IMMEDIATELY!

Last month, Senator Rob Cowles (Green Bay), and Representative Montgomery (Allouez), the Chairs of the Energy Committees, released the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, an energy bill for Wisconsin. While the bill is encouraging in its attempts to increase renewable energy to 10% by 2015, and to make the State a leader by purchasing renewable energy, there are several components that keep Wisconsin tied to fossil fuel dependence.

It’s time to follow-up on the initial public hearing held in Madison last month and keep the momentum going! This week, Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery are considering suggestions presented at the public hearing, and we cannot let them forget how critical it is to present a bill that truly champions a forward-thinking, long-term energy plan.

Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery need to hear from YOU! Call their offices today and ask them to please support efforts to introduce a substitute bill that would eliminate the Four Poison Pills of the current energy bill.

1) Overreach of Compliance with the Energy Priorities Law: The State Energy Policy Act is critical to maintaining an energy policy that prioritizes clean and renewable sources over dirty, non-renewable sources. As written, this bill references the State Energy Policy Act in a way that could reduce the State’s ability to enforce this law and could remove the state’s future responsibility to pursue clean renewable energy. If the bill passes as drafted, it means that Wisconsin will have no requirement to pursue renewable energy sources after 2015, thereby eliminating any barriers to the expansion or construction of dirtier, non-renewable energy facilities like coal burning power plants. Legislators should remove references to the Energy Policy Act, Section 1.12.

2) The Public Benefit Funds is still Susceptible to Budget Raids: The Public Benefits Fund is invaluable to Wisconsin business and home owners, providing expert advice and offering grants for conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. Though the proposed bill creates a third party fiscal agent to handle the funds, it does not do enough to secure those funds from diversion for other purposes. To prevent future raids by politicians, a segregated account must also be created that separates Fund dollars from the state treasury.

3) Remove the Cap on Money for Energy Efficiency: The proposed bill caps the amount of money that can be used for energy efficiency at its current levels, which is approximately $63 million a year. Estimated need, however, is $75-$125 million a year. These programs have been saving businesses and homeowners $3 for every $1 spent, meaning that investing $125 million will SAVE customers $375 million on their gas and electric bills. At a time when energy efficiency is precisely what we need to focus on, funding must be given the flexibility to grow and continue helping Wisconsin residents.

4) Do Not Double Count Renewable Energy: We must ensure that renewable energy purchased by the state is not counted as renewable energy produced by utilities. The bill aims to increase renewable energy production to 10% by 2015, and commits the State to purchasing 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2011. These policies are forward-thinking, responsible, and set a good example for all Wisconsinites. Keeping these initiatives separate would yield the greatest amount of renewable electricity and ensure that the state’s voluntary purchase does not needlessly reward utilities for something they must provide anyway.

Let’s make this bill one Wisconsinites can support! Call Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery today! Then, please email me your comments (jessica@conservationvoters.org) so that we can make sure they are documented.

Senator Rob Cowles: (608) 266-0484

Representative Phil Montgomery: (608) 266-5840 or (888) 534-0004

Suggested message:

“I want to thank ________ for his/her work on the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act. As a resident, I am concerned about energy costs this winter and about the long-term costs of fossil fuel dependence. I would like to ask ________ to support a substitute bill that would eliminate the Four Poison Pills of the Energy Bill so that Wisconsin really is moving towards a cleaner energy future.”

For more information on the Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables recommendations, visit http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/ .