Policy Capstone Project Leads to Renewable Energy in Wisconsin

Governor Doyle has purchased renewable electrical energy from state utilities and did so based on recommendations from La Follette School students made in a capstone report to the Department of Administration. The purchase, part of his Clean Energy Wisconsin agenda, of more than 92,400 megawatt hours of electricity from Madison Gas and Electric, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. was one of the largest government acquisitions of renewable energy in the country.

Outcomes

The state purchase of renewable electricity is equal to 10 percent of the energy consumed by the UW System and the departments of Health and Family Services, Corrections, Veterans Affairs, Administration and Public Instruction. The amount of electricity to be purchased from Madison Gas and Electric, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. is enough to light 9,240 Wisconsin homes each year. The majority of the renewable energy will come from wind, solar, hydro and landfill gas sources in Wisconsin. The purchase will cost the state an additional $1 million per year, but added that he expects Wisconsin to begin saving money from this investment within seven years.

Focus Areas

• Environment

Counties

• Statewide

Website

http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/news.html#energy

Partners

• DOA, Gov. office

Leader

Terry Shelton, Outreach Director

Department or Other Unit

La Follette School of Public Affairs

School or College

College of Letters & Science

Project last updated on 7/11/2008