Doyle, Leaders Sign ‘Declaration of Energy Independence’

WISCONSIN – A group of state dignitaries, farm group, environmental and education leaders have set some major goals for Wisconsin to become the nation’s leader in energy self-sufficiency. During a ceremony last week near the Georgia Pacific paper mill, Governor Jim Doyle, University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly and other industry leaders signed the “Declaration of Energy Independence” initiative–which put together a comprehensive effort to achieve those goals through grant funding, incentives for research, support for ethanol and other biofuels, and a new initiative to make several University of Wisconsin campuses 100 percent energy independent within five years.

“America’s energy crisis presents Wisconsin with not only challenge, but opportunity,” Governor Doyle said. “With our great research institutions, strong agriculture and manufacturing base, and tremendous renewable resources, we are well positioned to become America’s leader in the drive toward energy independence.”

The Declaration calls for a joint public-private effort by the State of Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin, to achieve the following goals to generate 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of our transportation fuel from renewable fuels by 2025; capture 10 percent of the market share for the production of renewable energy sources by 2030; and to become a national leader in groundbreaking research that will make alternative energies more affordable and available to all.

Doyle is also working to identify at least three University of Wisconsin campuses that will be moved “off the grid” within five years, in which they’ll be producing enough energy on their own to be completely energy independent, with a strong focus on renewable fuels.

Wisconsin Ag Connection