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WI Energy and Efficiency Renewables Act Support From Lawmakers

Posted on: Monday, 28 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By Paul Snyder

Wisconsin legislators were told Tuesday that now is the time to implement a strong new energy policy for the state.

Before a crowded room in the state Capitol, the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Information Tech-nology held a joint hearing with the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities to introduce the Energy and Efficiency Renewables Act as a committee bill.

Though repeatedly stressed as still being in its formative stages, the act garnered plenty of support from those testifying Tuesday. With the recent spikes in natural gas and electricity prices, many state officials have called for new solutions to relieve ratepayers.

Gov. Jim Doyle established a Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renew-ables to come up with new strategies not only in moving the state's energy policy forward but also making the state more self- sufficient. Michael Vickerman, a chairman on the task force, said the key to becoming independent is using the state's renewable resources.

We've placed a priority on explicitly renewable energy with this legislation, he said. Renewable energy is market-ready, and the time is right to come up with a successor to our current policy, and one that's of remarkable standard.

Importing fossil fuels

His testimony followed that of Public Service Commission Chairman Dan Ebert, who told the committee that Wisconsin currently imports all of its fossil fuels, and that for every dollar increase in gas prices, it costs state residents and businesses $1 million a day. In the last year alone, gas prices have jumped 30 percent to 50 percent.

These price jumps have had a significant impact on the state and the economy, Ebert said. Wisconsin simply must become independent in generating its energy.

Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, chairman of the Senate Committee, noted that greater energy independence was one of the top priorities of the legislation, along with public benefits reforms and building code enhancement.

Jim Boullion, director of government affairs for the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin and a chairman on the governor's task force, said Wisconsin needs to step up and become a leader in energy-efficient building.

We had great input from retailers, wholesalers and environmental groups, Boullion told the committee. And we came to the conclusion that in addition to having buildings that save energy and are cost- effective, we also need to update our building codes more quickly. We felt a need to move our home-grown building code to an international standard.

Boullion added that the need for regular updates to the state building code works in tandem with the massive updates in technology that occur every few years. By updating the code every three years, he said, the state would stay on top of an evolving industry instead of becoming quickly antiquated.

Energy-efficient building

Rep. Eugene Hahn, R-Cambria, a member of the committee, questioned the possibility of being able to consistently build energy-efficient buildings when we have structures going up all over the place with glass walls and other visually pleasing features.

That's really down to the architects and designers, Boullion replied. We didn't get into aesthetics. What we did was recognize national trends and the most modern building codes and use them as guidance. I'd also say that just because a building has glass walls, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not energy-efficient.

Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Ashwaubenon, chairman of the Assembly committee, reiterated to fellow committee members that the bill was not yet in its final stage and would have to undergo further discussion and resolution to pass. But he said the core goals of the legislation were clear.

We want to not only determine what dollar amounts we'll be paying on these projects but what the ratepayers will be paying as well, he said. Ratepayers deserve a degree of assurance that the money they spend will be going toward the measures we're saying it will. We also need to give credit where credit is due - to those who are working to increase energy efficiency in this state.

Source: Daily Reporter (Milwaukee)

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