CONSERVATION
Thank you for being a climate action voter!
Your vote, your voice, and your donations elected climate champions. Now, President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan is making a difference in communities across Wisconsin.
For many residents of Green Bay’s Villa West Senior Apartments, power outages can have serious consequences – exposure to extreme heat or cold, inoperable medical equipment, spoiled food and medicines, and other hardships. Solar panels and battery storage are making the community more resilient by reducing vulnerability to power outages, lowering electricity costs, and reducing the community’s carbon footprint. In April, the Public Service Commision of Wisconsin (PSC) announced $8 million in Energy Innovation grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The 28 projects planned across Wisconsin include funding for a campuswide microgrid project at the Villa West Senior Apartments – when completed, it will be the first at an affordable housing campus in Wisconsin. continued on page 2
“I’m proud that my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in reliable, renewable power –cleaning up our air, lowering energy bills, and creating goodpaying jobs across Wisconsin.”
– Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Sen. Tammy Baldwin during a visit to Ingeteam, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers.
Federal funds boost climate progress across Wisconsin
Affordable clean energy infrastructure programs are being created and expanded by President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan – the biggest climate investment in history. Meanwhile at the state level, Gov. Evers’ Clean Energy Plan provides a strategic framework for requesting and utilizing federal climate funding. Recent awards include:
Electric vehicle (EV) charging – Wisconsin will receive $78 million from the BIL to help install enough fast chargers across the state that EV drivers will be able to travel 85 percent of our state highway system and never be more than 25 miles away from a charger. Further, 100 jobs are being created as Ingeteam, an EV charging station manufacturer, expands its Milwaukee plant.
Solar for All – Wisconsin will receive $62 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through a nationwide program to bring solar power to 900,000 low- and moderate-income households across the U.S. It’s part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund the IRA created to reduce or avoid up to 40 million metric tons of climate pollution per year.
Clean energy for rural communities – Wisconsin will receive a share of $1 billion allocated by the BIL for rural clean energy projects. Wisconsin’s grant will help to install microgrids throughout Bayfield County and on tribal lands in collaboration with the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Congrats, Governor Evers!
Gov. Evers has joined the Executive Committee of the U.S. Climate Alliance to provide leadership for a coalition of 24 governors (representing 55 percent of the U.S. population) who have committed to state-level action for reaching the Paris Agreement carbon reduction goals.
Knocking MORE doors (200,000+) for climate action
In May, Wisconsin Conservation Voters kicked off our summer canvass in support of President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan. Over the summer, we’ll be talking to homeowners in the Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and La Crosse areas about tax credits and rebates to help save money today and build a clean energy tomorrow.
Get ready, conservation voters!
This summer we’re coming to hear from you!
We
are once again hosting listening sessions in communities around the state to find out what YOU think we should prioritize in the next state budget.
The state budget is a reflection of what we value as Wisconsinites. Are we investing in clean energy, public land, and clean water, or are we letting polluters off the hook? Are we making sure our dollars are leading Wisconsin to become a more just, equitable place to live? This is your chance to tell us about the issues that matter most to you.
To build a better future, we need your vision – and your partnership. Join one of our listening sessions by signing up on our website at conservationvoters.org/events . If you can’t join one of our inperson sessions, fill out the enclosed survey and mail it back to us.
Our team is excited to see you and collaborate with you! Happy summer, and see you soon.
nin June.
In June, we worked with the Wisconsin Native Vote team, part of our sister organization Wisconsin Conservation Voices, to host listening sessions with the Milwaukee Native community and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
We heard from elders, Native American veterans, and activists from the greater Milwaukee community. Oneida Nation elder Charlene H. Smith gave a rousing speech at the end of the event by highlighting important issues, including getting our Indigenous relatives to the polls. Marilyn Madosh, of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, who works and advocates for the elderly, wrote: “This was a great session with so many important discussion topics.”
Vote NO on Aug. 13 to stop this blatant power grab.
A GOP proposal to amend Wisconsin’s constitution is on the August ballot. They want the legislature to have full control over how to allocate federal funds that our communities urgently need. Vote NO.
When disasters like tornadoes or floods hit, communities need aid quickly to provide shelter, generators, transportation, and other emergency support. These resources typically come from the federal government. It’s the role of the governor to make sure emergency funds are available and deployed quickly when lives are on the line. On the Aug. 13 ballot, there will be two proposed constitutional amendments that would curtail the ability to efficiently address just such emergencies. Those amendments would put the legislature in charge of disaster relief and lead to delays that could compound a tragedy.
If these amendments pass, it would also be a major setback to Wisconsin’s ability to fight climate change. Funding from President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan can help us make significant progress on renewable energy production and electrification. The more strategically these investments are made, the more impactful they will be. Climate action can’t wait. Requiring the legislature to approve federal clean energy allocations could slow down Wisconsin’s climate progress.
Urge your friends and neighbors to VOTE NO. Find resources and more information at: conservationvoters.org/elections/2024-partisan-primary
Your gift today will help us reach 500,000+ voters. Getting
the message out to voters
Thanks to your past support, we were able to assemble our coalition and develop research-tested messaging that we’re deploying strategically – aligning with districts where there are competitive races and also driving turnout in key areas. Our comprehensive program is reaching voters at the doors, by mail, and through digital ads, phones, texting, and more. With your help, we’ll deliver a decisive victory against this last-ditch GOP power grab.
Use the envelope enclosed or visit conservationvoters.org/donate to make a gift that will power this campaign through its critical final weeks. Your gift will help us reach more voters through digital ads, textbanking, and mobilizing volunteers.