In endorsing two candidates for County Executive in the primary, Sierra Club Great Waters Group will present voters with two excellent choices as well as two visions for the future of Milwaukee County that are compatible with SC values on climate change, sustainability, equity, and green jobs.
We realize that endorsing two candidates is unprecedented, but it is not unwarranted. We direct you to the New York Times endorsement of both Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar in the Democratic presidential primaries. Closer to home, the Shepherd Express endorsed both Ed Fallone and Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court in the February 19 primary.
David Crowley is serving his first term in the State Assembly from the 17th District. He has the leadership skills, knowledge, and vision to take charge of Milwaukee County and create positive change. Chris Larson has represented the State’s 7th Senate District since 2011. Born and raised in Milwaukee County, he has the experience, political pull, and commitment to provide strong leadership on environment and jobs.
Both Crowley and Larson received scores of 100% on Sierra Club-Wisconsin’s Legislative Scorecard.
Below are excerpts from the questionnaires of both candidates:
David Crowley
Equity & Green Jobs
It’s no secret that the environmental movement is overwhelmingly white and that communities of color often lag behind in environmental action and adoption. As County Executive, I will use my
unique leadership position to advocate and organize around environmental issues within communities of color. Rapid gains can be made within these communities, but it will take a leader
who understands these communities to help achieve the desired change. I have led by example when it comes to environmental issues in the state legislature and will
continue to do so at the county level. Just last month, I introduced a bill to create green banks in Wisconsin to lower power rates, create green jobs, and invest in Wisconsin’s underserved
communities. These green banks could also partner with private investors to deploy clean energy technology and infrastructure to promote energy efficiency.
MATC can be a key partner in creating more green jobs here. As County Executive, I will work closely with them and employers to make sure programs focusing on clean jobs are thriving. By creating one of the strongest bases of potential clean job employees we will then be more competitive in attracting businesses to locate and grow here.
Environmental sustainability and racial equity will be the dual lenses that every decision in my administration is made through. I will ensure that my administration places a priority on understanding the environmental impacts of every decision we make in every department.
Renewable Energy
I will commit Milwaukee County to quickly transition to renewable energy. Milwaukee County’s current goal is to cut 20% of the energy used in Milwaukee county facilities by 2020. That is an
[adequate] goal, but we need to take the next step. The bottom line is that Milwaukee County NEEDS a sustainability plan moving forward. We Energies has a pilot project that allows municipalities to buy into utility-scale
Renewable projects where Milwaukee County would sell back the green energy output to the utility.This investment in Milwaukee County’s green future would not only provide the county with up to 100% renewable energy, it would also save Milwaukee taxpayers money.
Oak Creek Power Plant
I believe We Energies should immediately move to shut down units 5-8 that were originally built in the late 1950s and 1960s. The availability of cleaner power options on the MISO grid will allow for the older, less efficient and dirtier units to be decommissioned with no adverse impact on the availability and reliability of the power grid in Wisconsin. We Energies has shown it can do this with the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant and needs to move forward on decommissioning units 5-8 at Oak Creek.
After Oak Creek is shut down, I believe that We Energies needs to set an aggressive timeline for the decommissioning of the Elm Road units as well. They have announced that they believe they can reduce coal consumption 90% by 2030. I believe that the rapid advancements of both technology and deployment, as well as the falling cost of renewables and utility scale battery storage will create the opportunity to get We Energies to 100% renewable by 2030 if not sooner.
Transportation
Even though the state legislature is not interested in an RTA, there is nothing stopping us from partnering with our neighboring communities. As the next County Executive, I will renew efforts to work with our neighboring counties to make sure that we can get our residents to the available in Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and other neighboring communities.
Chris Larson
Track Record
I have consistently prioritized and championed environmental issues during my years of public service. As a strong advocate for the conservation of our land and waters, I have a proven track record of being a steady and thoughtful ally for environmental groups like the Sierra Club. I also have the deepest and most relevant experience with environmental efforts at both the state and county level.
Safeguarding our land and waters are part of my fundamental values. This is why I have been a dues paying member of the Sierra Club since 2008; why I am involved with the National Conference of Environmental Legislators; why I have co-authored and supported all major pro-environment legislation that has been introduced in the state senate since 2011; why, regardless of their political clout, I have taken on polluters, climate change deniers, the coal industry, FoxConn, mining corporations, and even my own political party.
Climate Task Force
I support the Climate Task Force. I view these goals as a minimum because we have a lot of ground to make up. Surpassing these goals will take vision, commitment, and resources. As County Executive, I will look to strongly invest our public resources in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by moving to reduce County government energy use and incentivize the use of renewable energy by the county and those that do business with the County. I will also work with our state and federal government to capture additional funds to accelerate our conservation efforts. I strongly believe that when we have a new president in a year, we’ll need to be ready with a blueprint of what we’re ready to do so that we can be among the first to get clean energy investment.
Green Jobs
A strong economy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. As County Executive, I will use my position to bring government, higher education, and private industry to the table to help create and capture more green jobs. I will also invest in expanding the authority and operations of the Milwaukee County Office of Sustainability. I’d like to increase citizen involvement and will seek to expand their mission to incorporate more aggressively pursuing opportunities to expand our green jobs and businesses.
Oak Creek Power Plant
I have been pushing us to move on from the plant since I became aware of it. It was a key part of the discussion in my run for state senate 10 years ago. More recently, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with my friends, neighbors, and allies in the environmental community to block We Energies’ pollution permit and to call for the end of We Energies coal burning. I believe that the facts are indisputable -- we need to shift to renewable energy as swiftly as possible. We should not allow polluters to continue, or worse, increase their polluting.
Public Transportation
Public transit and environmental stewardship are closely linked. From my time on the County board through my service in the State Senate, I have been a strong champion of increasing public transit systems and options. I’ve always been for an RTA and pushed for its creation when it was part of the budget discussion in 2009 (before Governor Doyle vetoed it). As County Executive. I will revive efforts to create an RTA by working with neighboring counties. I have already spoken to Governor Evers about advancing this kind of revenue flexibility, not just for Milwaukee County, but for all Wisconsin communities. I would also work on operational agreements that can be forged and strengthened with other local municipal governments to seamlessly provide reliable transit services.