Contact: Joshua Morby 414.791.9120
MILWAUKEE – Several of the recommendations to come out of Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force last year have the potential to jump start Wisconsin’s economy, according to members of Wisconsin’s Bio Industry Alliance Bio Power Team.
“The Governor’s Global Warming Task Force has laid out a plan that will help grow Wisconsin’s economy through an increased emphasis on biopower,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the WBIA. “Biopower development can give Wisconsin an extra boost by providing local jobs, attracting investments to the state and shielding consumers from spikes in energy prices.”
The task force recommends extensive revisions to Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in an effort to capitalize on Wisconsin’s potential to meet the growing demand for renewable energy technologies.
A renewable portfolio standard is a policy that requires electricity providers to derive a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy resources by a certain date.
Current Wisconsin law mandates a 10% renewable energy standard by 2015. The task force recommends that Wisconsin’s RPS be revised to require an increase of Wisconsin utilities derived from renewable resources to:
· 10% by 2013
· 20% by 2020, with a minimum of 6% of total sales from in-state renewable sources
· 25% by 2025, with a minimum of 10% of total sales from in-state renewable sources
“The WBIA Power Team has been working to grow this emerging sector of our economy, and we encourage the Wisconsin State Legislature to adopt these proposals,” said Morby. “A stronger RPS will support economic development and the proposal’s included provisions for in-state renewable sources sales will only further Wisconsin’s growth.”
The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is a diverse group of businesses, environmental groups, and statewide and local organizations that have come together to build both public and legislative awareness of the Bio Industry in Wisconsin.
For more information about the Alliance, or to find out how to join, please visit our website: www.wisconsinbioindustry.com
