by jboullion | Feb 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Wayne Nelson in BusinessNorth:
The legislature and Gov. James Doyle used federal stimulus money to offset one-third of the budget shortfall, he said. The remaining deficit was offset with spending cuts and new taxes.
“Without the federal stimulus money, we would have had to shut down the (UW) campuses,” he said.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on lawmakers in both states to help create private sector jobs, and reduce unemployment. In Wisconsin, the emerging priorities are stabilizing the state’s manufacturing sector and jumpstarting the state’s entry into the green energy economy.
On Jan. 6, Governor Doyle introduced his green energy development plan, the proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act, to the Legislature. The bill embodies recommendations by the Global Warming Task Force that Doyle created in 2007 to find ways to combat predicted climate change in Wisconsin, including drought, damage to forests and wetlands, and already historically low Lake Michigan water levels.
“This bill will ensure Wisconsin is on the leading edge in capturing green jobs,” said state Rep. Nick Milroy, D-Superior.
It calls for weaning the state of its dependence on fossil fuels by increasing the use of renewable fuels, and even invites a debate over potential new nuclear power development.
The bill would mandate that 25 percent of energy be generated from renewable sources – including wind, solar and biomass – by 2025. The state’s current goal is 10 percent by 2015, and at the end of 2008, Wisconsin was just less than 5 percent.
by jboullion | Feb 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Kenosha News:
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and President Barack Obama were talking the same language Wednesday: renewable energy and jobs.
The president was in Washington speaking to a group of governors about his energy policy, which includes spending more money on biofuels such as ethanol.
“It’s good for our national security and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. It’s good for our economy, because it will create jobs.”
Gov. Doyle was in Kenosha, speaking at Gateway Technical College’s Horizon Center.
He said Wisconsin spends $16 billion a year for coal, petroleum and natural gas, money that goes out of the state because Wisconsin doesn’t produce those fuels. If the state used 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources, that would mean $4 billion remains here to boost our economy.
Wisconsin’s wind energy production has been growing for several years. Ethanol also has a lot of promise. So far, most ethanol in Wisconsin is produced from corn, because that was the technology that developed first, but other sources for ethanol continue to develop, including wood products, waste from paper mills and grasses. Wisconsin can produce grass and wood probably a lot easier than many states, and those crops take less energy to produce because the don’t need the cultivation of fertilization corn requires.
by jboullion | Feb 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a story on WXOW-TV (La Crosse):
LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW) – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle spoke about jobs and energy efficiency during a stop in La Crosse on Tuesday.
“My number one priority is helping our businesses create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” said Doyle.
He spoke at Fowler & Hammer General Contractors recognizing the company’s energy efficiency and business growth.
The Governor recently awarded $106,000 dollars in state assistance for the company’s $2.3 million dollar expansion project.
Fowler & Hammer built an energy efficient office building.
Fowler and Hammer must create 16 new jobs and retain 41 positions in La Crosse since they received state assistance.
by jboullion | Feb 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by John Krerowica in the Kenosha News:
Gov. Jim Doyle reiterated support for renewable energy and green, sustainable jobs as he spoke Wednesday at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha.
Doyle told the crowd of about 100 people at the Horizon Center for Technology, 4940 88th Ave., the college and other schools must train students for tomorrow’s technology and equipment.
“We’re moving in a new direction, and vehicles in the future will have increased, complex technology,” he said. “I’m not sure we even know what the cars of 10 to 15 years from now are going to look like, and we’ll need people trained and adaptable to work on those vehicles.”
Doyle has challenged the Legislature to expand the state’s reliance on renewable energy from today’s goal of 10 percent by 2015 to 25 percent by 2025.
by jboullion | Feb 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a story on WEAU-TV (Eau Claire):
Governor Jim Doyle visited Evrisko Systems in Eau Claire this morning. During his visit, Governor Doyle discussed his plans to position Wisconsin to seize opportunities in energy efficiency manufacturing, invest in the state’s innovative manufacturing and clean energy business, and create thousands of new jobs.
“I am very, very proud of what’s happened in Wisconsin in the last seven years, and NanoRite is a good example of this. We have developed a really strong and growing entrepreneurial, high-tech culture in this state,” Doyle said. “My number one priority is helping our business create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get these jobs.”
Governor Doyle also mentioned that Wisconsin is recognized across the United States for having one of the best early start-up tax credit systems. The Governor has called on the legislature to pass the clean energy jobs act to accelerate the state’s clean energy economy in hopes of creating at least 15,000 jobs.
