16 N. Carroll Street
Suite 840
Madison, WI 53703-2726
(608) 280-0360
Fax (608) 280-0361

info@wi-ei.org

2001 Energy Forum

On October 5th, over 100 leaders representing utilities, industry, environmental organizations, consumer groups, local and state government and academia, convened to explore ways of fulfilling Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively impacting the environment and economy. 

The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI) Energy Forum (Part I) featured:

·        a kickoff address by Governor McCallum which challenged participants and highlighted his 2001 Energy Policy;

·        a diverse panel presentation including leaders from utilities, industry, consumer and environmental groups, energy efficiency organizations and the state Division of Energy, which shared emerging opportunities for meeting Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively affecting the environment and economy;

·        a compelling luncheon keynote by noted author and consultant Peter Asmus titled: “Bringing Our Electricity Grid Into the 21st Century”; and

·        interactive small group discussions which identified key ideas, opportunities and obstacles, as well as incentives for meeting Wisconsin’s energy needs while improving the state’s environment and economy.

Resources and Links

Agenda

Kickoff Address: Governor Scott McCallum, State of Wisconsin
2001 Energy Policy
Full Text of Governors Remarks

Key Points of the Governor’s remarks:

 ·        Collaborative approach to energy policy is essential.

·        The Governor’s Energy Policy should be viewed as a point of departure, rather than the final word, and an ongoing dialogue about how to best meet Wisconsin’s energy needs in the future.

·        We must diversify sources, encourage energy efficiency, increase reliance upon renewables, foster emerging technologies, and be realistic about how to use alternative sources while keeping reliability as our foremost concern. We must enhance our electric-generation infrastructure and transform our energy marketplace to both encourage conservation and support Wisconsin firms that create jobs by supplying goods and services to energy-related industries worldwide.

Ensuring Wisconsin’s Energy Reliability and Environmental Quality

Join a select group of leaders representing utilities, industry, energy efficiency professionals, environmental organizations, consumer groups,  local and state government, and academia in an exciting initiative that will explore ways we might fulfill Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively impacting the environment and economy.

The WEI Energy Forum provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with diverse interests and catalyze effective solutions to Wisconsin’s energy and environmental challenges.

SPONSORED BY:

  • Alliant Energy

  • Energy Center of Wisconsin

  • Madison Gas & Electric Company

  • Miller Brewing Company

  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

  • Wisconsin Division of Energy

  • We the People/ Wisconsin

PRESENTED BY:

Wisconsin Environmental Initiative

Facilitated by Harry Webne-Behrman, Collaborative Initiative

October 5, 2001
8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Olympia Resort and Conference Center
1350 Royale Mile Road
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Energy reliability has emerged as a key concern in determining the future of our state’s economy and environment.  Our energy infrastructure is aging as energy demand is increasing, while our commitment to energy conservation may be lessening. In response, major utilities and power producers propose spending many billions of dollars on new coal and natural gas-fired power plants.  New transmission lines and natural gas pipelines are also proposed.  In addition, Governor McCallum has announced his 2001 Energy Policy, the first comprehensive review of our state’s energy policy in decades. These proposals and others have the potential to influence energy production and environmental quality in Wisconsin and the surrounding region for years to come. 

In what ways might we fulfill Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively impacting the environment and economy?

Supporting the need for an inclusive examination of this critical issue, the WEI Energy Forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to:

·         reach an understanding on the need for both energy reliability and environmental quality;

·         explore ways we might fulfill Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively impacting the environment and economy;

·         identify innovative alternatives and overlapping interests; and

·         establish a diverse partnership for developing and recommending innovative solutions for consideration by the governor, legislature, government agencies, businesses, energy suppliers, and consumers.

WEI believes that a bold, action-oriented response to concerns about energy use and production requires successful stakeholder involvement and collaboration, and the establishment of “Partnerships for Progress”, an innovative alliance between business, utilities, government and citizen groups, working together on common goals, achieving shared rewards, and catalyzing long-term effective solutions to Wisconsin’s energy and environmental challenges.

Following the September event, WEI will engage stakeholders in a collaborative problem solving process to develop a set of innovative alternatives and solutions that can inform energy policy development, be shared with the public, sent to the legislature or government agencies, and adopted by energy suppliers and consumers. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders from government, business, environmental organizations and other senior level stakeholders, share your views, and participate in an important forum which will benefit Wisconsin’s energy and environmental future.

WEI Energy Forum
October 5, 2001

Agenda

  • Registration and Continental Breakfast

  • Kickoff Address - State of Wisconsin 2001 Energy Policy: Governor Scott McCallum

  • Panel Presentation & Discussion

Panelists will share examples of emerging opportunities for meeting Wisconsin’s energy needs while positively affecting the environment and economy.

  • Small Group Discussion

  • Lunch and Keynote Presentation

  • Work Group Development

  • Conclusion

Background

The Energy Forum is part of a larger WEI program, the Environmental Policy Forum, the goal of which is to improve environmental policy-making through increased communication and collaboration among diverse groups.  In 2000, representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Sierra Club, Miller Brewing Company, Michael, Best & Friedrich, Wisconsin Builders Association, the Village of Menomonee Falls, and UW-Green Bay began meeting to discuss the current and future state of environmental policy-making in Wisconsin. They agreed that Wisconsin is having a less productive and inclusive environmental policy discussion than in the past, and that there is a need for a forum in which stakeholders can come together to share ideas on how to create more effective policies.  The idea for the Environmental Policy Forum grew out of this broad consensus.

Forum events in 2000 brought together leaders from various sectors and viewpoints.  Participants created a systematic way to address environmental policy issues through collaboration and consensus building, resulting in policy recommendations drafted and supported by a diverse coalition of stakeholders.  The collaborative process developed in these events will serve as a guide for approaching specific environmental challenges presented by the need for a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply.  

WEI ENERGY FORUM STEERING COMMITTEE

Dan Barthold, Miller Brewing Company
Linda Bochert, Michael, Best & Friedrich
George Edgar, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Tom Estock, Quad/ Graphics, Inc.
Rita Hayen, American Transmission Company
Steve Hiniker, Citizens’ Utility Board
John Imes, Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
Mary Jo Kopecky, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
John Mitchell, Energy Center of Wisconsin
Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin
Mark Williamson, Madison Gas and Electric Company

WEI’s Mission

The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative is a non-advocacy educational organization serving as a catalyst for cooperation among business, citizen groups, and government to facilitate outcomes for the benefit of Wisconsin’s environment, economy, and quality of life.

WEI Board of Directors

Richard Lehmann, Chair
Boardman Suhr

Brian Ohm, Vice Chair
UW- Madison, Urban and Regional Planning

Timm Speerschneider, Secretary
DeWitt, Ross and Stevens, SC

Dan Barthold
Miller Brewing Company

Darrell Bazzell
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Tom Boldt
Oscar J. Boldt Construction

Tom Estock
Quad/ Graphics, Incorporated

Don Last
1,000 Friends of Wisconsin

Bill Malkasian
Wisconsin Realtors Association

Nick Neher
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Susan Shultz
Earth Tech, Inc.

Jeff Simon
Don Simon Homes

Mark Williamson
Madison Gas and Electric Company

For more information or questions, contact WEI at (608) 280-0360. To learn more about WEI, visit www.wi-ei.org.

Environmental Policy Forum 2001: 

“Ensuring Wisconsin’s Energy Reliability and Environmental Quality”

Environmental Policy Forum 2000:

Executive Summary
Steering Committee
Part One Summary: June 5, 2000
Part Two Summary: September 14, 2000

 
We The People - Powering Wisconsin (www.wtpeople.com/energy.asp) is a multi-media partnership that is focused on Wisconsin’s energy problems and solutions.  Note their Citizen’s Energy Summit on September 24th.
 
WISPOLITICS.COM (http://wispolitics.com/freeser/features/f01062505.html) Wisconsin’s premier political news service.  Their "Energy at a Glance" section offers links to Wisconsin’s energy stakeholders, the Governor’s 2001 Energy Plan and other useful resources.
 
Wisconsin Focus On Energy (www.wifocusonenergy.com/index2.html) provides information and education regarding the importance of energy efficiency for your home, business and community.
 
Energy Center of Wisconsin (www.ecw.org) provides energy-efficiency programs, research, and education to residents, businesses, industry and government.
 
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Energy Sector (www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/compliance/energy/index.htm) discusses energy and environmental issues and provides data on utility emissions and environmental progress.
 
Madison Gas and Electric Environment Page: (www.mge.com/business/environment/index.htm)
 
Wisconsin Paper Council Energy Page: (www.wipapercouncil.org/energy.htm)
 

Other Selected Resources:
 
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)  (www.aceee.org)  provides links to energy efficiency related publications and conference proceedings. 
 
Business for Social Responsibility - Energy Efficiency (www.bsr.org/resourcecenter/topic_output.asp?topicID=51) provides a newly updated report which makes the business case and offers implementation steps for incorporating energy efficiency to cut costs, increase profits, enhance image and further business environmental performance.  Includes leadership examples, sample policies and useful links.
 
Blackout – What caused the power crisis in California? And who’s profiting? (www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/blackout/) is a PBS series and report by Frontline and The New York Times.
 
Chicago Climate Exchange (www.chicagoclimatex.com/) is the first U.S. voluntary pilot program for trading of greenhouse gases.  Participating Midwest based utility companies represent almost 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
 
Clean Edge (www.cleanedge.com/index.php) helps investors, industry and society understand and profit from clean energy technology.
 
Energy Star (www.energystar.gov/) US EPA’s website with resources to improve the energy efficiency of your small business, home or office.
 
Pew Center on Global Climate Change (www.pewclimate.org) was established to create a forum through which major companies and other organizations can work together to educate the public on the risks, challenges and solutions to climate change.
 
PowerScorecard (www.powerscorecard.org/) rates the environmental impact of electricity products.
 
RENEW Wisconsin (www.renewwisconsin.org) promotes clean energy strategies for powering the state’s economy in an environmentally responsible manner.
 
Repowering the Midwest (www.repowermidwest.org) provides a Clean Energy Development Plan for the Heartland.
 
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) (www.rmi.org) seeks to foster the efficient and sustainable use of energy resources as a path to global security.
 
Good Reading!
 
 
Alliance to Save Energy.  Business Energy Checkup (www.ase.org/checkup/business) and Home Energy Checkup (www.ase.org/checkup/home) are online energy guides that allow you to estimate the energy, economic and pollution savings associated with efficiency upgrades.
 
America and Energy (http://environet.policy.net/americaandenergy2/americaandenergy2.pdf) provides a good summary of the current energy debate.
 
Lean and Clean Management: How to Boost Profits and Productivity by Reducing Pollution, Joe Romm (1994).
Also, check out Joe Romm's newest book:  Cool Companies: How the Best Businesses Boost Profits and Productivity by Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the companion website www.cool-companies.org
 
The Energy Web (www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.07/juice_pr.html) from Wired Magazine, provides an innovative look at the smarter energy network of the future.
 
"MicroPower: The Next Electrical Era" (www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paer151.html) by Seth Dunn, discusses the technological, economic, and environmental trends which could push the energy system further toward a more decentralized model.