For too long, our reliance on fossil fuels has hindered our economic potential and put harmful pollutants into our air and water. Moving to home-grown renewable energy, like wind and solar, would boost our economy while protecting our priceless natural resources, mitigating climate change impacts, and safeguarding our health.

Wisconsin needs to significantly reduce carbon emissions to tackle the growing threat of climate change. Here are some of the ways Clean Wisconsin is working to do that.

The benefits of a carbon-free electricity future

Wind and solar are cheaper than coal and gas. Wisconsin sends about $14 billion out of the state each year to import fossil fuels. Instead, we could be focusing on homegrown renewable energy, which would add $16 billion to Wisconsin’s economy.

In-state production of 100% clean energy would create 162,000 new jobs and save $2-4 billion  in avoided health damages from air pollution.

By investing in homegrown renewable energy and expanding transmission, Wisconsin can rebuild a strong economy, make our communities healthier, and create a bright future where all our kids and grandkids can thrive.

With ambitious goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Wisconsin is embracing the rapid deployment of clean energy projects across the state. For those individuals looking to do something to advance clean energy, the following actions can help achieve net-zero by getting projects built in Wisconsin. 

• Get Informed: Arm yourself with the facts about wind and solar energy. Learn about the environmental and community benefits that come by hosting solar and wind projects in your community. Learn how to identify and address the most rampant information. 

• Put Up A Yard Sign: They’re not just for your favorite political candidate. Tell your neighbors and the world you support homegrown wind or solar energy by placing a visible sign of your support in front of your home or property. 

• Speak Up Online: There is a lot of misinformation about renewable energy circulating online. Don’t worry about responding to the misinformation. Do focus on communicating the reasons that you support renewable energy.

• Submit a Public Comment to the Public Service Commission: Being involved in the Public Service Commission public input process is one of the most important and concrete steps you can take to advance wind and solar in Wisconsin. . The reason is simple;  The Public Serve Commission is the state agency that has the final decision on large-scale clean energy project approval in Wisconsin.  

• Talk With Your Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors: Our personal relationships can be some of our most powerful assets when it comes to engaging people on challenging topics. Especially when the subject is fraught and filled with tension, hearing the informed opinion of someone we respect can go a long way in shaping how people feel about an issue. 

• Attend a Meeting: Show up and voicing your support at town, county, or other meetings where wind or solar is on the agenda. Your presence can be critical in helping let other individuals in your community know that there are supporters of wind energy.

• Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor: Share your voice and personal experience by writing to your local community newspaper. Op-eds and letters to the editor give are a great route to amplify a community’s support for solar and wind energy.

• Call Your Representatives: Renewable energy opponents actively call local and state representatives encouraging them to keep us stuck in a fossil-fuel powered past. Give them the opportunity to hear a different perspective and call your elected officials to tell them you support renewable energy and want projects in your area. 

Historic federal funding to support clean energy is here.

Historic federal funding is expected to make a major impact on top environmental concerns in Wisconsin. Beyond widely anticipated consumer rebates and tax incentives, the state itself is set to receive billions of dollars to address climate change, support sustainable agriculture, and promote clean energy.