Rep. Shankland Applauds Governor Evers’ Leadership on Clean Energy and Sustainability

By: State Rep. Katrina Shankland 8/16/19 Urban Milwaukee

MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order creating the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, which will be charged with working to achieve the goal of our state’s electricity being 100% carbon-free by 2050. The new office will also work to ensure that our state is fulfilling the carbon reduction goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, and will be developing a plan to help our state adapt and respond to climate change through the use of clean energy resources and technology, in conjunction with other state agencies, local units of government, and stakeholders. Finally, the new office is responsible for promoting clean energy workforce training, fostering development, innovation, and research in clean energy and sustainability-related fields, and developing new clean energy standards for all state facilities, office buildings, and complexes.

Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement in response:

“I am beyond thrilled with today’s executive order, and I’m deeply grateful for Governor Evers’ tremendous leadership on clean energy. The simple fact is that we’ve got to act on climate change. The good news is that acting on climate change has a quadruple bottom line. Investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability buoys our economy by creating good family-supporting jobs, protecting our natural resources, boosting tourism and recreation, and strengthening the public health.

“For the governor to put us on a path toward decarbonization while also investing in the future workforce, technology, and planning for resiliency is both insightful and needed. Clean energy supports our economic growth while reducing our carbon footprint, and I look forward to working with the new Office of Sustainability to support policies and programs to mitigate the effects of climate change, decarbonize, and embrace clean energy, reduced waste, and climate resiliency.

“While it’s enormously disappointing that my Republican colleagues rejected these measures in the governor’s state budget, I am glad to see Governor Evers utilizing his constitutional authority to make Wisconsin a leader again in clean energy and sustainability. I am committed to working with him and with my legislative colleagues to continue advocating for action on clean energy and climate.”