Empowering Wisconsin Communities with Federal Clean Energy Investments

The clean energy revolution is taking place across America, and Wisconsin communities can benefit in several ways. For example, by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the state can reduce its dependence on expensive fuel imports, which currently amount to $14 billion annually. Clean energy can also support new jobs, attract private investment, reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and create a more sustainable environment for future generations.

The federal government has ambitious clean energy goals, and communities across Wisconsin are taking advantage of federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to replace aging diesel school buses, rebuild bridges and ports, and improve air quality and resiliency. This blog post highlights clean energy investments made in Wisconsin communities through the IIJA and the IRA (see table below). Projects were identified using “The Climate Wins Here map” developed by  ActOnClimate. Feel free to use this interactive tool to learn about ongoing clean energy investments in Wisconsin and beyond.

Despite these wins, we must do more to support clean energy deployments in the state. A recent Wisconsin Public Radio report highlights that rural communities are disadvantaged when competing for federal funding. Paradoxically, these rural communities have the greatest needs and opportunities to benefit from federal funding. Whether it is a solar project that reduces coal imports, a new electric school bus that cuts fuel costs, or a microgrid that increases reliability, these projects improve the quality of life for host communities. 

In her book “Rural Renaissance, Revitalizing America’s Hometowns through Clean Power” Michelle Moore presents a practical and inspiring guide to creating economic opportunity through clean energy. Moore uses examples from communities across the U.S. leveraging natural resources, cooperative work, and innovation to bring electricity and prosperity to rural America. Today, the clean energy transition provides another opportunity to leverage our abundant resources (sunlight, wind, and land) and federal clean energy investments to create a more prosperous life for all Wisconsinites. It is up to us, and we must seize this opportunity.

In short, federal clean energy legislation has opened up new opportunities for communities in Wisconsin to improve their quality of life. The Climate Wins Here map is a helpful tool for identifying ongoing clean energy investments in the state. We encourage communities to use data, technology, and partnerships to build a cleaner, more sustainable future through clean energy. Feel free to contact RENEW for more information about federal funding for clean energy projects in your community.

Federal Clean Energy Investments in Wisconsin, April 2023