STATE OF WISCONSIN
JIM DOYLE
GOVERNOR
State Capitol Room 115 East, Madison, Wisconsin 53702 • (608) 266-1212
• FAX (608) 267-8983 • [email protected]
Contact: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Governor Doyle Signs Bill Strengthening Wisconsin’s Wind Industry

Accomplishes Integral Recommendation of Governor’s Task Force on
Global Warming

NEW BERLIN – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 185,
creating more uniform
standards for siting wind projects and strengthening Wisconsin’s wind
industry.

“With our resources and strategic location, we have a tremendous
opportunity to become a worldwide leader in wind energy,” Governor
Doyle said. “This bill is a clear statement to the wind industry that
Wisconsin is open for business and will create more jobs for
hardworking Wisconsin families.”

The legislation accomplishes an integral recommendation of the
Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The bill requires the Public
Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the
construction and operation of wind energy systems. It allows proposed
wind energy systems that are one megawatt or larger to appeal
decisions by local authorities with the PSC.

Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin
a leader in renewable energy.

Governor Doyle created the Task Force on Global Warming to bring
together a prominent and diverse
group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and
environment leaders to examine the effects and solutions to global
warming in Wisconsin. Using current national and local research, the
task force analyzed possible solutions to global warming challenges
that pose a threat to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental health.
The task force is charged with creating a state plan of action to
deliver to the Governor to reduce Wisconsin’s contribution to global
warming.

Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25
percent of our electricity and 25
percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by
the year 2025; capturing 10
percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts; and
utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the
country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and
available to all.

Governor Doyle thanked the leadership in both houses of the
Legislature for working together to pass this bill on a bipartisan
basis.