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GOP Lawmakers Push Renewable Energy Plan for State; Goal is to Diversify Utilities' Power Sources

Posted on: Saturday, 12 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By THOMAS CONTENT

Two Republicans who lead the energy committees in the state Legislature have introduced a plan to strengthen Wisconsin's commitment to renewable energy and conservation.

The legislation, which has been in the works for months, is designed to address recommendations issued last year by a state task force that included utilities, environmental groups, customer groups and lawmakers.

The bill would increase the amount of electricity from renewable sources generated by the state's utilities to 10% by 2015, from roughly 4% today. It also would provide a more stable source of funding for energy efficiency efforts, which have seen cuts of $100 million in recent years as part of efforts by Gov. Jim Doyle and the Legislature to avoid budget deficits.

State Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay), a co-sponsor of the bill, has been the Legislature's most vocal foe of cuts to energy efficiency spending.

"I have defended energy efficiency programs over the years because I feel it helps mitigate rate increases and reduces the need to build power plants," Cowles said. "Energy conservation is several times cheaper than financing new power plants."

A recent study by the Energy Center of Wisconsin recommends that the state spend roughly $97 million a year on energy efficiency over five years. Spending at that level, which would be 26% above the amount being spent this year by the state and utilities, could produce enough energy savings after five years to avoid construction of a major new power plant, the study found.

Rep. Phil Montgomery, (R-Ashwaubenon), the Assembly's co-sponsor of the bill, said last month that the high cost of natural gas is making alternative forms of generating electricity more financially viable, including wind power.

"One of the most important aspects of a sound energy policy is having a diverse energy portfolio to insulate ratepayers from the kind of spikes in fuel costs we will be facing this winter," Montgomery said Friday. "Incorporating additional renewable energy and efficiency measures into Wisconsin's energy mix helps us achieve this goal."

A hearing on the bill has been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 22 in Madison.

The introduction of the legislation was praised by customer groups, Gov. Jim Doyle and Dan Ebert, chairman of the state Public Service Commission.

Energy demand in Wisconsin is growing by about 2% to 3% a year, according to utility and state estimates.

"We would have to build a new power plant every two years to meet demand through generation alone," Ebert said. "However, by reducing demand through energy efficiency and increasing use of renewable energy technologies, we can have a real impact on the need to build new energy infrastructure in the future."

The bill would also increase the state government's purchase of renewable electricity to 20% by 2011, upgrade the state building codes to accommodate innovations in energy efficiency, and create initiatives for rural use of renewable energy, such as manure-to- energy projects known as anaerobic digesters.

Copyright 2005, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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