Wisconsin Governor Doyle Congratulates Northwoods Energy Independent Communities

Ashland, Bayfield, and Washburn Join Renewable Energy Partnership

August 12, 2008 -- WASHBURN – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Ashland, Bayfield and Washburn are joining the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community (WEIC) Partnership.

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“State and local government must lead by example, and I am proud Northwoods communities will join as partners and adopt the state’s energy goals,” Governor Doyle said. “Energy Independent Communities strengthen Wisconsin’s commitment to renewable energy leadership, and move forward energy policies that will clean our air and water, create jobs and save us money.”

Under the Governor’s leadership, the Office of Energy Independence is partnering with individual communities to increase their share of renewable fuels and capitalize on their unique resources to become more energy independent. This partnership, the first of its kind in the nation, embraces the approaches and solutions that communities are currently exploring. Energy Independent Communities will decide on strategies based on their unique assets and how they will capitalize on the diversity of their resources.

Governor Doyle thanked Ashland Mayor Ed Monroe, Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald, Washburn Mayor Ralph Brzezinski, and common councils from all three cities, for their leadership. Bayfield’s City Council passed the “25 by 25” resolution on July 15, 2008, and the Mayors of Ashland and Washburn will bring the resolution to their respective City Councils in the near future.

Over 100 communities, from Bayfield to Polk County, to the city of Evansville, have expressed interest in forming a partnership with the state. Communities are taking the first step towards this partnership by adopting Governor Doyle’s “25x25 Goal,” generating 25 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025. Partnership benefits include additional access to state and federal funding; increased technical assistance from state and federal agencies; and improved energy efficiency, creating additional savings and capital.

Last March, Governor Doyle unveiled Clean Energy Wisconsin, his plan to move Wisconsin toward energy independence. The plan details strategies to move Wisconsin forward to promote renewable energy, create new jobs, increase energy security, and improve the environment.

Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. In 2007, Governor Doyle created the Office of Energy Independence to promote efforts to reduce dependence on foreign oil and advance renewable energy initiatives.

To learn more about Energy Independent Communities, visit: http://power.wisconsin.gov.

Source: Wisconsin Governor