08 Oct Doyle announces 12 new members of Energy Independent Community Partnership
Madison, Wis. – Gov. Jim Doyle and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence today welcomed 12 new members into the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership.
The communities have committed to helping Governor Doyle achieve energy independence in this state and working towards generating 25 percent of the state’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.
The 12 new communities include: Columbus, Evansville, Kaukauna, Lodi, Muscoda, New Richmond, Plymouth, River Falls, Stoughton, Waunakee, Waupun, and Westby.
“In order for the state to achieve energy independence, everyone must pitch in and Energy Independent Communities are a critical component to Wisconsin’s efforts to clean our air and water, create jobs and save money for our communities,” Governor Doyle said. “We need a fundamental change in our energy policies, and the good news is here in Wisconsin we know how to get it done and we are not daunted by taking on a big transformation.”
The Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership is the first of its kind in the nation and is an integral part of Governor Doyle’s Clean Energy Wisconsin: A Plan for Energy Independence, broad, ambitious goals for the state to become the nation’s leader in the drive toward energy independence. The Partnership will help to foster the innovation of energy resources and emerging technology, while embracing many of the programs and initiatives several communities currently explore.
As part of the Partnership, communities may receive additional access to state and federal funding, as well as technical assistance from state and federal agencies. In addition, communities will improve their energy efficiency and create additional savings and capital availability for budgeting.
Judy Ziewacz, executive director of the Office of Energy Independence, thanked Roy Thilly and the Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI) member communities for leading the way and adopting this initiative that supports Governor Doyle’s energy plan. WPPI worked to recruit the 12 member communities.
“WPPI supports an electric energy policy for Wisconsin that focuses on the aggressive development of renewable energy sources,” said WPPI President and CEO Roy Thilly. “This partnership represents a statewide effort to lead by example and make Wisconsin a leader in the efficient use of energy.”
Currently, more than 30 communities have joined the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership.