By MARY SPICUZZA [email protected] 608-252-6122 A new version of the state's energy bill, which was released yesterday, would be cheaper than either doing nothing or making changes proposed under the original bill, according to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The PSC found the new Clean Energy Jobs Act would save at least $1.4 billion compared to maintaining the status quo for Wisconsin consumers, and would cut between $1 and $3.7 billion from the total cost of energy between now and 2025, compared to the original. "This is the right bill at the right time," Eric Callisto, chairman of the PSC told the Wisconsin State Journal. Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, a lead sponsor of the legislation, said the PSC report is an objective fiscal analysis showing "the bill as amended will save billions of dollars" leading up to 2025. The new version still would require 25 percent of the state's power come from renewable resources by 2025, but would take into account energy efficiency and conservation. It also says Wisconsin would need to get 10 percent of its energy from in-state sources. But the new version removes other controversial provisions, such as vehicle emissions standards, the low carbon fuel standard and appliance efficiency regulations. The bill is scheduled for an Assembly committee vote tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Critics like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce have warned the bill would implement expensive regulations and cost billions of dollars, forcing costumers to pay increased rates and threatening Wisconsin jobs. But Dan Kohler, the director of Wisconsin Environment, said the PSC analysis confirms that "the status quo is an economic drain." Kohler said his group is encouraged by the scaled-back version, adding it would move Wisconsin "significantly forward." Other environmentalists and public interest groups haven't been as impressed. A coalition of eight groups, including the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and Physicians for Social Responsibility, criticized provisions loosening nuclear regulations.
