SUN PRAIRIE – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that the State of Wisconsin has purchased over 92,400 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electrical energy, one of the largest government purchases of renewable energy in the nation.
“Government should be a clean energy leader, and the State of Wisconsin is taking major steps to lead the way and improve our energy independence,” Governor Doyle said. “This purchase will help encourage expansion of renewable energy sources in Wisconsin and keep our energy dollars in the local economy.”
In 2006, Governor Doyle signed the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act into law (2005 Wis Act 141), which requires key state agencies and university campuses to purchase 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by the end of 2011. The 92,400 MWh annual purchase makes great progress toward these goals.
The state is purchasing electricity from renewable sources equal to 10 percent of the energy consumed by the Department of Health and Family Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration, Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin System.
The renewable electricity will be purchased from Madison Gas and Electric, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. The amount purchased is enough electricity to light 9,240 Wisconsin homes each year, and the majority of the renewable energy will come from wind, solar, hydro and landfill gas sources here in Wisconsin.
In addition, the renewable energy purchased by state government will substantially lower air emissions that contribute to global warming. By purchasing renewable energy instead of relying on fossil fuels, state agencies will off-set more than 156 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of taking 13,600 cars off the road each year.
State government is also working to be a leader in energy efficiency through energy efficient buildings, a renewable fuel vehicle fleet, and reduced overall consumption. Since 2005, state agencies have reduced energy consumption by 8 percent.
The state’s efforts are integral to Governor Doyle’s overall agenda to increase energy independence, promote an affordable and diverse renewable energy supply, target investments in job and business growth, and clean our air and water.
For more details on the state’s renewable energy leadership, and to view Governor Doyle’s plan for energy independence, visit: http://www.cleanenergy.wisconsin.gov/.
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