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/ .

UWGB master plan presentation

It looks like there are some very exciting things happening these days at UW-GB. Today's Press-Gazette had an article about a meeting where environmental science grad students will present recommendations about the campus' new master plan. They are seeking public imput.

The meeting will be this Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in Room 206 of Mary Ann Cofrin Hall on the UWGB campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

See the article for more details: Students take part in UWGB plan

You know what this blog needs? -Someone to become an "official contributor" with reports from UW-GB. If anyone is interested, they can email me at <eddyout@gmail.com> and I will set it up! Or, if someone wants to just send me a "column" once in a while, they can email it to me, and I can post it.

congressman mark NOTgreen

-first, some good news. Mark notGreen is not going to be our Congressman anymore! This alone is cause for much celebration.

During his eight years as our Congressman, Mark has managed to compile one of the worst environmental voting records possible. He was anti-conservation before being anti-conservation was cool, and before he became one of Bush's lackeys. During the last Congressional session, Congressman notGreen received a dismal score of 18% from the bipartisan League of Conservation Voters. While others from the Wisconsin congressional delegation received scores of 100%, no one scored lower than notGreen. His embarrassing conservation voting record is definitely not in line with how most Green Bay citizens feel.

Not only that, but the Congressman and his campaign manager (and best friend) Mark Graul seem to be on the verge of becoming embroiled in the DeLay and Abramoff investigations:

Green gets pass from WDC on DeLay $$$

New Details in Abramoff Investigation

It is about time that we get a Congressman that we can actually be proud of. The timing may be very good to actually elect an environmentalist to the 8th district. So far, there are three (that I know of) candidates worth taking a look at:

Jamie Wall
Steve Kagen
Nancy Nusbuam

-and now for some BAD news! John Gard wants to be our Congressman (fat chance, I hope), but even worse, Mark notGreen wants to be our Governor. Nothing would be worse for Wisconsin than if Mark became Governor. All of the wingnut ideas passed by our legislature during the last three years (and vetoed by Doyle) would become law. The DNR would become even more emasculated than it already is. Governor Doyle's "Conserve Wisconsin" conservation agenda would become a thing of the past instead of a hopeful start in the right direction. We need to work very hard during the upcoming political season to make sure we do not end up with "the Governor from Green Bay".

"green vision" for green bay???

Today, Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett said its time for Milwaukee to "think green" and he released his "Green Vision" for the city. The most interesting part about his efforts are the formation of a "Milwaukee Green Team", the recommendation that the city purchase "renewable energy blocks" and encourage citizens to do the same, an effort to form "Green Industry Clusters", and the formation of an Office on Sustainability. He also seems to be trying to deal with the issue of Milwaukee's storm sewer run-off problems.

To read today's announcement from Mayor Barrett go HERE.

I think Green Bay's environmental community needs to work with our own mayor to develop a similar vision for Green Bay, especially considering all of the new construction that is planned for downtown. Hey, that's POSSible!!!

eddy out,
rich

Save Energy at Home

Worried about high energy costs this winter? Do you want to talk to someone about what you can do about it? Interested in energy solutions for Wisconsin?

Monday, November 14th, 6:30 pm

Downtown Library—Green Bay, 515 Pine Street

The constant change in fossil fuel prices is creating concerns for citizens in Green Bay and across the nation. Right now, the State is working on energy legislation that may help create some energy independence for Wisconsin. One program already in place to help is the Focus on Energy program—the State’s energy conservation and research program which offers advice and financial assistance to energy customers.

On Monday evening, a Doug Meek from the Focus on Energy program will be giving an informational session geared towards homeowners and individuals who are concerned about saving money this winter or in future home projects. He will talk about how to reduce energy usage in your homes as well as what types of grants the Focus on Energy program offers to help weatherize and update your homes.

Please join us on Monday, November 14^th at 6:30 pm to learn more about what you can do to conserve energy this winter and in the future. (The program will last about 1-1.5 hours depending on audience questions.)

last week's clean air meeting

I thought last week's Pulliam plant clean air meeting at the Brown County Library was quite successful. There were at least 40 people in attendance and most were very eager to talk about this topic.

The most effective part of the meeting was the presentation made by Green Bay pediatrician Ellen Neuhaus. She spoke very eloquently about the increase in health problems caused by dirty air, especially the problems posed by coal. I totally agreed with her comments about the contamination of fish. She reminded us that EVERY lake and waterway in Wisconsin is under a mercury fish contamination advisory. Dr. Neuhaus was dismayed that people are not furious about this. We have this food source that should be incredibly nutritious and healthy but we have to worry about being poisoned by it. She's right. People SHOULD be furious. This great food source has been "taken" from us.

For more information about the health effects of dirty power plants, go to http://www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/

eddy out,
rich

pulliam power plant meeting

A community meeting to discuss Green Bay’s air will be held at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 7, in the lower level of the Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St., Green Bay. This meeting is being organized by the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin.