Wisconsin Governor’s task force recommends boosting use of renewable energy

Press-Gazette and The Associated Press

MADISON — A governor’s task force has recommended the state increase its use of renewable energy over the next decade as a way to help satisfy its growing demand for energy.

Gov. Jim Doyle formed the task force last year to devise ways to reduce dependence on energy produced outside Wisconsin and help utility customers save money.

The task force approved a set of recommendations Tuesday that includes increasing the state’s use of renewable energy to 10 percent of its total electrical usage by 2015.

Currently, renewable energy accounts for around 3 percent to 4 percent of the state’s energy usage, said Lee Cullen, the task force’s chairman.

“We need to make an increased commitment to energy efficiency and renewables,” Cullen said. “They are resources that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, they save rate payers money and they’re better for the environment.”

The task force also recommended:

• Increasing the state government’s purchases of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2010.

• Improving the state’s energy efficiency programs by increasing the role of the Public Service Commission in setting targets and funding levels for energy efficiency.

• Updating the state’s energy building codes.

• Creating rural energy initiatives for increased use of wind generators and bio-mass generators.

• Providing funding security for energy efficiency programs such as Focus on Energy. Consumers are charged an assessment on their utility bills to pay for public benefit programs, such as Focus on Energy. Last year, the Legislature took money from the program to help reduce a budget deficit.

“If a number is set as the appropriate level in a fiscal year, the task force is saying (the Legislature) should not change the funding,” Cullen said.

He said the task force recommended the money go into a non-lapsable trust fund and be administered by a third-party agent.

The task force did not determine how much the recommendations would cost to implement, said Cullen, who is an attorney for Customers First!, a coalition that represents businesses, consumer groups and municipalities on utility issues.

The task force plans to issue a final report in September. Doyle said he would review the report and consider implementing the recommendations through regulatory, administrative or legislative changes.

The 25-member task force included representatives from business, labor, consumer and environmental groups.