Relating to the Creation of The Governor’s Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables

WHEREAS, supplying reliable electric energy at reasonable rates with as little impact on the environment as practicable is a key to fueling Wisconsin’s economic development; and

WHEREAS, at a time when Wisconsin needs to build additional generation and transmission facilities, energy conservation and renewable resources are equally important components to a sound energy policy because by increasing electric efficiency and renewable energy sources Wisconsin can reduce the need to build power plants and transmission lines, while reducing emissions and limiting impacts to our air, water and land; and

WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s energy priority statute lists cost-effective and technically feasible energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives as the top two priorities guiding Wisconsin’s energy policy decisions; and

WHEREAS, Wisconsin has a proud tradition as a national leader in energy conservation and generating electricity from renewable energy sources with programs like time-of-day rates and utility conservation escrows, progressive institutions such as the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation and as one of 16 states with a renewable portfolio standard; and

WHEREAS, efficient use of energy has been proven to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which Wisconsin pays over $6 billion to import into the state each year, and energy efficiency efforts also lower ratepayers’ electric and heating bills; and

WHEREAS, the cost of wind power has decreased substantially and Wisconsin is rich in renewable energy fuel sources like biomass, making it the time to develop these renewable resources and other cutting-edge renewable energy technologies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. § 14.019, do hereby:

1. Create the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables (the "Task Force"); and Provide that the Task Force shall consist of members who are leaders from the energy sector with experience and expertise in the energy field, appointed by the Governor to serve at the pleasure of the Governor; and
2. Provide that the Governor shall designate one member of the Task Force as chairperson to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the Governor; and
3. Provide that the Task Force shall have the following mission:
4. To advise the Governor on creative, consensus policy options and practical business initiatives to restore Wisconsin as a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, relying upon cooperation among the stakeholders in the energy industry with the goal of reducing Wisconsin’s dependence on out-of-state energy and helping to save ratepayers money; and
5. Require the Task Force to provide ongoing reports to the Public Service Commission Chairperson; and
6. Direct the Department of Administration, the Public Service Commission, and other state agencies to assist the Task Force with administrative and support services; and
7. Direct the Department of Administration to provide the Task Force with such sums of money as are necessary for travel and operating expenses in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 20.505(4)(ba); and
8. Provide that the Task Force shall dissolve when the Governor accepts the Task Force’s final report.

JIM DOYLE
Governor
By the Governor:

DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State