By Jackie Burpee, Chapter Clean Energy Intern
Has the current state of our nation’s climate politics got you down? Feeling like the clean energy goals necessary for the salvation of our planet will never be realized?? Well this blog post is here to remind you that ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST! In fact, it’s far from it. As a result of the presidential election in November and, more recently, Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Accord earlier this month, there has been an incredible upwelling in progressive activism. Let’s not forget that community-, city-, and statewide action, as well action taken by large corporations, are perhaps the key to moving our nation forward in terms of energy efficiency. In Wisconsin and nation-wide, real efforts are being made to adhere to the guidelines of the Paris Accord and to establish aggressive clean energy goals, regardless of Trump’s decision. In April, the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign launched Mayors for 100% Clean Energy, creating a coalition of city leaders ready to commit to 100% clean and renewable energy for all. Today, there are nearly 130 mayors committed to the initiative, representing Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike. Furthermore, the Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA), “an initiative to combat climate change and prepare for global warming,” represents 338 cities, a combined total of 65 million Americans and growing. A recent report by the Sierra Club found that if each of the 1,481 cities represented in the U.S. Conference of Mayors converted to zero-emissions electricity by 2035, U.S. emissions would fall by 619 million metric tons.
As we’ve seen and will continue to see, there is indeed quite a bit of hope, thanks to the action of communities, local leaders, and responsible corporations across the nation. Victories small and large are taking place nationwide, including right here in our very own Wisconsin. So we’ve compiled a list of some of those victories thus far to remind you all to stay motivated and to keep moving forward!
- Wisconsin Mayors committed to clean energy.
There are already eight mayors throughout Wisconsin who have joined the Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda and committed to adhering to the guidelines set by the Paris Accord. These mayors include:
- Mayor Gordon T Ringberg, City of Bayfield, WI
- Mayor Bryan Kennedy, City of Glendale, WI
- Mayor John Antaramian, City of Kenosha, WI
- Mayor Tim Kabat, City of La Crosse, WI
- Mayor Paul R Soglin, City of Madison, WI
- Mayor Gurdip Brar, City of Middleton, WI
- Mayor Tom Barrett, City of Milwaukee, WI
- Mayor Mary O’Connor, City of Monona, WI
Madison has also committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity through Sierra Club’s Mayors for 100% clean energy campaign. Urge your mayor to sign the pledge here!
2. 2016 was Wisconsin’s best year for solar energy, according to RENEW Wisconsin, a Madison-based nonprofit. Businesses and homeowners invested $12.38 million in the solar industry in 2016, with nearly five times as much development as took place in 2015, a response to falling solar prices. Before that, 2015 had been our best year for solar. There’s nothing to stop us from continuing this upward trend and making 2017 our best year for solar!
http://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/energy/2017/01/18/2016-shines-wisconsins-brightest-year-solar/96724132/
3. The Dane County Board is pursuing a financing model for clean energy projects, called PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy. The Board approved a resolution authorizing Dane County to join the program earlier this month. PACE enables property owners to obtain long-term loans for projects relating to water conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy, including solar panel installation, high-efficiency heating and more. Dane County is now one of 19 Wisconsin counties to offer this special financing program.
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.Iml?Article=386879
http://www.renewwisconsin-blog.org/2017/06/pace-financing-now-in-place-in-19.html
4. A new subdivision in the Milwaukee area is requiring solar panels on every rooftop.
The rapidly dropping co
st of residential solar paired with the relatively high costs of Wisconsin electricity prices led developers of the 34-home subdivision, Red Fox Crossing, to take this measure. The homes will also feature other energy efficiency measures, such as advanced insulation, LED lights, and efficient appliances.
http://midwestenergynews.com/2017/06/01/new-wisconsin-subdivision-to-require-solar-on-every-rooftop/
5. Madison Area Technical College (MATC) is set to install the largest rooftop solar energy system in Wisconsin! The 1,400-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is estimated to cost $3.5 million, including repairs and upgrades, and could save the college more than $200,000 per year in energy costs and offset 10-15% of the college’s electricity use. If this wasn’t good enough news already, it will also pose as a learning opportunity for students of MATC, who will be included in the installation and repair analysis of the system. Moving towards clean energy in the present while providing education for a cleaner future – a win-win!
6. In Madison, our state capitol, we have a mayor who openly supports renewable energy and speaks out against our president’s decision to withdraw our country from the Paris Accord. In Mayor Soglin’s blog,
he states “President Trump doesn’t get it,” going on to say that “he can’t stop states, cities, companies, and citizens from choosing clean, renewable energy.” We have to say, we’re inclined to agree with him! And it feels pretty good to have a mayor who is willing to publicly stick up for the future of his city and the nation.
Read the full blog post here: