Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, Wis.
Governor Tony Evers has unveiled his appointments to the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation, marking a significant step towards Wisconsin's commitment to achieving 100 percent carbon-free electricity consumption by 2050. The Commission, established through Executive Order #195, will play a pivotal role in advising on the state's groundbreaking Green Innovation Fund, which aims to foster environmental and clean energy advancements, as well as promote sustainable economic growth.
The creation of both the Green Ribbon Commission and the Green Innovation Fund underscores Evers' determination to address the pressing climate crisis while simultaneously investing in a clean energy economy. The governor envisions this initiative generating numerous well-paying jobs, reducing energy costs, and minimizing reliance on out-of-state energy sources.
Governor Evers expressed his confidence in the Commission's ability to drive progress, stating, "Our Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation will play a critical role in creating a Green Innovation Fund so we can work toward investing in and achieving our clean energy goals. I'm looking forward to the Commission's work ahead and their important role in helping ensure Wisconsin is a leader in innovative clean energy industries and technologies."
The Green Innovation Fund, often referred to as a "green bank," follows the footsteps of other states such as Colorado, Illinois, and Nevada, which have successfully established similar public and private entities. Its primary objective is to facilitate the widespread adoption of new technologies throughout Wisconsin, benefiting families, businesses, and communities alike. The Governor's Task Force on Climate Change, initiated in 2019, and the state's Clean Energy Plan, released in April, have both recommended the exploration of green bank options to support local projects.
To finance the Fund, both public and private funding will be leveraged to invest in projects that deliver clean energy solutions to businesses, mitigate pollution, reduce energy costs for households, and expand access to affordable, clean energy alternatives. In addition to private financing, the federal Inflation Reduction Act has allocated $27 billion in competitive funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. States and nonprofit organizations collaborating with community financing institutions like green banks are eligible to receive these funds, aiming to combat the climate crisis, foster innovative clean energy development, and create well-paying jobs.
The administration and oversight of the Green Innovation Fund will be carried out by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Their joint efforts will facilitate the development and implementation of next-generation environmental and clean energy technologies and projects across the state. The ultimate goal is to stimulate job creation and reduce energy expenses for both families and businesses. Additional details regarding the Fund will be made available in the coming months.
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Members of the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation include:
- Masood Akhtar, president and founder of CleanTech Partners, Middleton
- Pamela Boivin, executive director and loan officer at Woodland Financial Partners, Shawano
- John Brogan, chief executive officer (CEO) at the Bank of Kaukauna, Kaukauna
- Andy Buck, director of Government Affairs for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7, Oshkosh
- Antonio Butts, executive director of the Walnut Way Conservation Corporation, Milwaukee
- Sara Conzemius, founding advisor with Illume Advising, Madison
- Abigail Corso, chief strategy officer at Elevate Energy, Madison
- Sam Dunaiski, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, Madison
- Sandra Henry, president and CEO of Slipstream Group, Inc., Madison
- Kamaljit Kaur Jackson, vice president, programs and operations, for the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), Milwaukee
- Sean Kennedy, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources climate and resilience policy advisor, Madison
- Montre Moore, public involvement and outreach specialist at the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Milwaukee
- Mike Noreen, conservation and efficiency coordinator and city forester for the city of River Falls, River Falls
- Kara Pennoyer, chief of staff to Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Madison
- Nicole Rakobitsch, director of sustainability at CROPP Cooperative Organic Valley, La Crosse
- Maria Redmond, director of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, Madison
- Ty Rohloff, vice president of food and agribusiness at Compeer Financial, Fort Atkinson
- State Rep. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point
- Dean Warsh, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 494 and president of the IBEW Wisconsin State Conference, Milwaukee
For more about the Green Ribbon Commission, visit the State of Wisconsin website.
