Wisconsin Governor Doyle Works to Fight Climate Change, Develop National Clean Energy Policy

Will Participate in Climate Change Symposium with Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair

March 02, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle is in Washington, D.C. today and tomorrow to meet with President Obama’s energy, environment and agriculture cabinet to build upon current state, national, and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote low carbon technologies, and build jobs in the energy and agricultural sectors.

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“It’s great to have a partner in the White House that is committed to moving forward on policies that will improve our air, create jobs for hardworking families, and protect our environment for generations to come,” Governor Doyle said. “I look forward to meeting with members of the Obama administration as well as other national and international leaders to discuss how we can work together on these important issues.”

Tomorrow, Governor Doyle will also participate in the symposium “U.S. Climate Change Action: A Global Economic Perspective” with former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair to discuss how U.S. firms can capture opportunities in, and help to build, a low-carbon economy. Other participants in the symposium are business leaders Jeff Immelt of GE, Jim Rogers of Duke Energy, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures and John Chambers of Cisco. Other Governors participating are Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Tim Kaine of Virginia.

In January, in a letter to the President, Governor Doyle offered to meet with the President and his energy and environmental cabinet to help develop a comprehensive national plan that builds on the momentum of strong state policies.

The Governor’s meetings with the Obama administration will focus on: setting ambitious goals to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions; using market mechanisms such as cap-and-trade programs and incentives to encourage clean energy; and ensuring that state and local authority, state and regional clean energy programs, and private investments are included in any national energy plan. The Governor is meeting with: Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy & Climate Change; Nancy Sutley, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman; Dr. Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy; and Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator.

Governor Doyle is also meeting with Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of House Energy & Commerce Committee.

Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin and the Midwest a leader in renewable energy. As Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association, Governor Doyle spearheaded a regional strategy to achieve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming that culminated with 10 Governors signing the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

In November, Governor Doyle co-hosted the Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. The international summit brought together state and world leaders to develop creative, collaborative actions to advance the global climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will be negotiated in Poland in December and in Copenhagen next year. The Governors’ summit also provided an opportunity for states and provinces to partner to reduce emissions and grow green economies.

Last March, Governor Doyle signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Wisconsin on climate change issues. The agreement, signed by Governor Doyle and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister of Parliament, encourages collaboration between Wisconsin and the U.K. in researching and sharing new technologies, experiences, and solutions, as well as efforts to educate the public on global climate issues.

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.

Source: Wisconsin Governor