In November, the Legislature finally released a bill (SB 459) to move Wisconsin toward a clean energy future. While it is a good first step, WISPIRG is working to take out provisions that could limit the state’s ability to do more on clean energy in the future.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel took our position. In a Sept. 26 editorial, the paper declared: “[W]e hope the Legislature takes the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group’s suggestions to heart.”

The bill would increase the amount of clean energy that utility companies are required to provide to 10 percent, and ensure that money collected from ratepayers will go to increasing energy efficiency and conservation.

In the days leading up to the bill’s release, WISPIRG teamed with Sierra Club and Citizens Utility Board to collect resident signatures on a clean energy petition to their state senators, asking them to support strong legislation.