Governor Doyle Announces Massive Five-Year Energy Plan

For Immediate Release:                                                Contact: Rachel Butler

September 29, 2006                                                  WISPIRG Student Board Chair

(262) 565-8819

Citing Student Efforts, Wisconsin Governor Announces Major University of Wisconsin Clean Energy Initiative

Citing the efforts of students to promote clean energy and efficiency as influential in his decision, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced on Wednesday, September 27th, a massive five-year program to make four University of Wisconsin campuses energy independent.  The program – backed by the Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) - comes on the heels of significant action at the campus and state level, and is part of the Governor's state-wide energy independence plan. 

Governor Doyle noted in his speech at UW Stevens Point that meeting this goal will require students to apply their education beyond the classroom.  Discussing the plan with students after the announcement, he expressed optimism students are up for the challenge, citing efforts such as WISPIRG's advocacy for renewable energy at UW System schools.   

The program, which the Governor announced yesterday with Kevin Reilly, President of the University of Wisconsin system, includes a provision to ensure that 100% of the campus' energy supply comes from clean sources like wind and solar, as well as biomass, which has significant potential as a homegrown fuel in Wisconsin.  Details of the energy independence program can be found here.

Students across the University of Wisconsin system have been active for several years at both the campus and local level, promoting policies and educating students and the general public about clean energy solutions.

"As students, global warming is the problem of our generation, and we need to be the ones to solve it," said Rachel Butler, WISPIRG Board Chair and UW Madison student. "So we're taking leadership to show what is possible, on campus and at the state level."

For several years, WISPIRG has led a major effort at UW System to reduce the University's global warming pollution down to zero, working with faculty and administrators on a number of efforts, including UW Madison's newly launched initiative to reduce the campus' energy use by 20% per square foot by 2010. 

At the state level, WISPIRG worked closely with legislators and Governor Doyle on the March passage of Act 141 into law, which requires Wisconsin utilities to get 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015.  This law also protects funds for energy efficiency and conservation. 

"In making this announcement, Governor Doyle is showing he understands the challenge and opportunity before us," said Dan Kohler, WISPIRG State Director.  "By striving to become energy independent and generate our own renewable energy, we can address high energy costs and drastically reduce dangerous pollution.  And we can do it by harnessing the expertise of our Universities and the energy of our students." 

Student Government representatives cheered the decision as well.  "We're proud to have been selected," said Oshkosh Student Association President Amanda Cone, "We've done so much already as an individual university, that it makes sense that we would be one of the campuses selected." 

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Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group  is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization dedicated to environmental protection, consumer rights, and good government