Tony Evers Proposes Wisconsin Become Carbon Free by 2050 [EDITORIAL]

Tony Evers ran for Governor on the platform for a cleaner environment and now it’s coming to fruition. Governor Evers’ recent budget measures for Wisconsin to become a carbon-free state by the year 2050 are currently being considered by the Legislature, the one entity currently against the proposal.

For Wisconsin to switch over to using sources of energy that don’t use carbon is not only doable, it is definitely necessary. The Legislature needs to pass this bill. If lawmakers remain divided, all parties should work together to devise a cooperative plan to address this very real and serious environmental threat.

Evers’ proposed $75 million budget for energy conservation projects seems reasonable enough for a course of 30 years. He is also taking money owed to Wisconsin (not borrowing it) and contributing $10 million of that to additional energy saving infrastructures.

Efforts in the plan are focused on eliminating the immediate downfall of industries that supply our energy with fossil fuels and to reduce the burdens on investors and those who make their wealth from coal. The 30 year timeline provides time to transition into new markets slowly as to best benefit the population as a whole and not just those who have the time, wealth and effort to invest right now. 

While 55 percent of Wisconsin’s fuel comes from coal, we are still moving toward and implementing more cleaner sources of energy such as solar, wind, nuclear and hydro. A big reason for Utility companies moving from carbon sources and switching to renewable energy is because of its continued decrease in price.  

W.E. Energies, Xcel, Alliant and Madison Gas & Electric provide nearly all of Wisconsin’s utilities. They’re all on board and already in the process of going carbonless. Most of them are hoping to be carbon-free by 2050 while W.E. Energies hopes to be at about 80 percent carbon-free.

There are various reasons why we should be concerned about the energy we are using, where it’s coming from and how it effects our health.

Agriculture and farming are a big part of Wisconsin production. Mining can poison drinking water, leave land barren and harms livestock operations by causing springs and wells to go dry.  

When it comes to our health, pollution from power plants causes developmental disabilities in children, respiratory problems and cancer. There are other sources of energy that we currently have and can implement more of, including solar and wind.

The carbons and chemicals also find their way into our lakes. Fish will most likely have elevated levels of Mercury – so don’t plan on eating white fish, trout or perch for dinner. As a state that is on the border of two Great Lakes, Wisconsin should be able to easily steer away from coal-based energy toward renewable energy from hydropower and wind farms.

Since there were already utility companies, like W.E. Energies, Alliant Energies and Xcel, in the process of going carbonless, Wisconsin needed a governor who focuses on the topic of a cleaner environment; it’s something everyone wants and a goal we are actively looking to accomplish.

We hope the Legislature can see the benefits from becoming a carbon-free state by 2050. Refusing to work together as a state will only worsen the issue and may require heavier funding in the future. If the Legislation denies Evers’ budget proposal, then this matter needs to be taken to a higher court in order to accelerate the movement toward a cleaner environment.

This editorial was based on a discussion of a JAMS 504 editorial board.