Wisconsin Commits to 100 Percent Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050

Democratic Governor Tony Evers on Aug. 16 signed an executive order requiring the state’s electricity consumption to be carbon-free by 2050. The order establishes the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, which will work with other state agencies and utilities to achieve the goal. 

The new office will develop a clean energy plan to help the state adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts by using clean resources and technology. The order tasks the office with promoting clean energy workforce training, fostering innovative sustainability solutions, and developing energy efficiency and renewable energy standards for state facilities and buildings.

Wisconsin spends over $12 billion each year to import fossil fuels, and a transition to a clean energy economy will generate thousands of jobs, according to the order. The state is a member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a 24-state coalition committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.