News

Senate passes bill calling for more renewable energy

 

BY RYAN J. FOLEY, Associated Press

Pioneer Press, MN

February 22nd, 2006

 

MADISON — Wisconsin utilities would have to increase the energy they produce from renewable resources such as the wind under a plan that state senators said Tuesday would keep customers' energy bills lower in years to come.

 

The Senate voted 30-1 to approve the bill requiring 10 percent of Wisconsin's energy to come from renewable resources by 2015. Currently only about 4 percent comes from those sources while the vast majority of energy comes from coal and natural gas imported from other states, lawmakers said.

 

State government would have to buy 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2011 under the bill. The measure also calls for higher energy efficiency standards in new buildings.

 

It also would stop lawmakers from raiding a fund that sets aside money to help poor people pay their energy bills and funds energy efficiency programs. In recent years, Gov. Jim Doyle and lawmakers have used millions of dollars from the fund for other purposes in the state budget.

 

The bill comes as Wisconsin consumers pay 30 percent more to heat their homes this winter after natural gas prices have surged and as companies say high utility costs have hurt their bottom lines.

 

Lawmakers said the bill would mean lower energy rates over time by strengthening energy conservation programs and shielding consumers from price spikes in volatile energy markets. They also said renewable resources would cut pollution from fossil fuels and add jobs in Wisconsin by producing energy in the state.

 

"We not only need to strengthen our power supply, we need to protect ratepayers and our environment," said Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, who spent months writing the bill after a task force appointed by Doyle made similar recommendations. "This bill does all of those things."

 

The bill, which drew support from both environmental groups and utilities, still needs approval from the Assembly. Rep. Phil Montgomery, the sponsor in that body, said he hoped to have a floor vote in about two weeks.

 

 

Doyle said he will sign the measure, which he said would "help our state reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels, stimulate our economy and preserve our environment."

 

The mandate will force utilities to increasingly turn to wind power, solar energy and hydropower to power homes and businesses in Wisconsin. Montgomery said "wind will lead the way" but technological advances could move other forms of renewable energy ahead.

 

Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said he would have wanted a more stringent mandate for renewable resources but called the bill a good step. Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, cast the only vote against the plan.

 

The bill would help companies such as Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, which is building a $250 million wind farm on 50 square miles in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties and plans another wind farm south of Tomah.

 

Company spokesman Mark Jacobson said the mandate will mean at least $600 million spent on wind energy construction projects by 2015 in Wisconsin. He said Invenergy recently bought 633 wind turbines, and the bill "certainly helps find some homes for them."