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Gov. Tony Evers targets climate change action in budget proposal
Gov. Tony Evers’ first budget established climate change as a priority for his administration. His second is shot through with policy and spending initiatives to address it.
The budget proposal includes dozens of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting clean energy and helping the state brace for increasingly frequent and more severe weather.
Many are in response to recommendations developed last year by a special task force, and most are likely to meet resistance in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Gov. Tony Evers’ first budget established climate change as a priority for his administration. His second is shot through with policy and spending initiatives to address it.
“The climate crisis is taking an undeniable toll on folks across our state,” Evers said in his address to the Legislature. “Every Wisconsinite — whether they live in the Driftless, the Central Sands, or the Northwoods, or in the heart of our urban areas — has experienced the effects of climate change. And communities of color, low-income Wisconsinites and our farmers have been among those most disproportionately affected.”
Evers called for $30 million in funding to address increasingly frequent and severe flooding, including money to bolster infrastructure.
His budget would require utility regulators to consider the economic and health impacts of global warming when approving new projects and to deliver biennial reports on the social costs of carbon while also setting aside money to study the feasibility of a “carbon market,” which could be used to pay farmers for storing carbon in the ground.
The plan also doubles ratepayer contributions to the Focus on Energy program, generating about $100 million a year in additional funding for energy savings and renewable energy. A portion of the funds would be reserved for low-income residents.
Another measure expands the types of costs that utilities can refinance when retiring power plants ahead of schedule, something that can save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars as utilities transition from fossil fuel to clean energy.
The budget also includes more than $100 million in borrowing for clean energy and conservation projects to help state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System meet energy-reduction goals. Utility cost savings from the projects would be used to pay off the bonds.
Evers also proposed an Office of Environmental Justice to work with environmental justice advocates, communities of color, tribal nations and low-income residents to reduce pollution and address its impact on those communities.
Recognizing the role that local governments play, Evers would require municipalities to address climate change and establish grants to help local and tribal governments develop plans to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
In his 2019 budget proposal, Evers outlined a goal of carbon-free electricity by 2050 and created a state Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy. Republican lawmakers rejected both proposals, which the governor then implemented through executive orders.
“We made a commitment to make Wisconsin 100 percent carbon-free by 2050, and we’re going to keep it,” Evers said. “It is critical that we take necessary and immediate steps to address energy production and efficiency.”
PHOTOS: A COOLER WORLD CARNIVAL
Winter is Alive!
An art installation by Anna Van Voorhis and Grant McFarland called “Anemometer” on Lake Monona. The art work, near Broom Street, is part of “Winter is Alive!,” a city-wide arts event that focuses on climate change.
Winter is Alive!
Gail Simpson and Aris Georgiades with Actual Size Artworks have installed “Yeti” at Law Park, just north of Monona Terrace. The fictional beast is made of salvaged building materials and other reused objects.
Winter is Alive!
An art installation by Katherine Rosing called “When a Tree Thrives”, at Garver Feed Mill in Madison is part of “Winter is Alive!,” a city-wide arts event that focuses on climate change.
Winter is Alive!
Carley Schmidt secures one of her columns made of wood and string near the entrance of Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Schmidt, an art student at UW-Madison, said the sculptures represent the strength and fragility of the environment.
Winter is Alive!
Bethany Jurewicz, director of public programming and business operations with Garver Events, gives a tour of Matthew Vivirito’s work called “Withdrawn,” made from local ash trees. It also has a two-person dining table in the middle that can be reserved.
Winter is Alive!
Bethany Jurewicz, director of public programming and business operations with Garver Events, shows an art installation by Katherine Rosing called “When a Tree Thrives” at Garver Feed Mill.
Winter is Alive!
Local artist Tamsie Ringler, left, with the help of Ray Carruthers, an artist from Maryland, puts together Ringler’s art installation that will light up on Lake Mendota near UW’s Memorial Union Terrace. The art work is part of “Winter is Alive! A Cooler World Carnival,” a city-wide arts event that focuses on climate change.
Winter is Alive!
Tamsie Ringler, right, a metal artist and organizer of Winter is Alive! A Cooler World Carnival, gets help installing her metal sculpture that is intended to light up and portray a floating oil platform. The sculpture, on Lake Mendota near the Memorial Union Terrace, is one of more than 30 public art pieces that are part of the three-week event that concludes March 7.
Winter is Alive!
Local artist Tamsie Ringler gets help installing her art work that resembles an oil platform. The piece is on Lake Mendota near UW’s Memorial Union Terrace.
Winter is Alive!
Artwork by Eric Anang called “Fish with PFAS” is seen on the ice in the north triangle of Monona Bay as a group ice fishes Friday. The piece is among more than 30 installations in Winter is Alive! A Cooler World Carnival.
Winter is Alive!
Bethany Jurewicz, director of public programming and business operations with Garver Events at Garver Feed Mill, gives a tour of Matthew Vivirito’s work “Withdrawn,” made from local ash trees. The piece, part of Winter is Alive! A Cooler World Carnival, includes a two-person table in the middle that can be reserved for a socially distanced, intimate dining experience that includes a four-course meal.
Winter is Alive!
Local artist Tamsie Ringler, left, with the help of Ray Carruthers, an artist from Maryland, puts together Ringler’s art installation that will light up on Lake Mendota near Memorial Union Terrace.
Winter is Alive!
Bethany Jurewicz, director of public programming and business operations with Garver Events, shows an art installation by The Polyester Projects, Anthony J. Meadows and Elizabeth West, outside Garver Feed Mill. The blocks are stacks of soil. The top one is planted with wheat and, if it grows will be harvested this summer for bread.
Winter is Alive!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens employees Aaron Wilkie, center, and Melissa Jeanne, right, help secure an art installation by Carley Schmidt outside the main entrance to the gardens.
Winter is Alive!
Local artist Tamsie Ringler, left, with her nephew, Fritz Ringler, carry solar panels that are part of her art installation on Lake Mendota near UW’s Memorial Union Terrace.
“Every Wisconsinite — whether they live in the Driftless, the Central Sands, or the Northwoods, or in the heart of our urban areas — has experienced the effects of climate change.”
Gov. Tony Evers
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