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 Ensuring Wisconsin's Environmental Quality through Regulatory Reform and Innovation
 December 15, 2003
Monona Terrace Convention Center
10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Event Agenda

Join a select group of leaders representing business and industry, state and local government, environmental and consumer groups, and academia in an exciting initiative that will explore ways we might implement regulatory reform and innovation while positively impacting the environment and economy in Wisconsin.

The WEI Environmental Policy Forum provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with diverse interests and catalyze effective solutions to enhance Wisconsin’s environment and economy.

Sponsored  By:

Wisconsin
Builders
Association

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Realtors Association
Quad/Graphics, Inc.

Presented By:
 Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
Facilitated by: Harry Webne-Behrman, Collaborative Initiative
Moderated by: Tom Still, President,  WI Technology Council

The Issue:
 Wisconsin’s regulatory process is seen by many as adversely affecting the state’s business climate and job creation potential, inefficient overall and lacking innovation in meeting the state’s economic and environmental goals.

There is a need for a neutral forum in which members of the business, government, and environmental communities can engage in a dialogue about how to implement regulatory reform and innovation in Wisconsin in a way that rewards high-performing companies, creates incentives for superior environmental performance, and promotes a positive business climate.

This program will create an opportunity for all sides to share their perspectives, identify common goals, and draft recommendations for regulatory reform and innovation that will accomplish these goals.

In what ways might we implement regulatory reform and innovation while positively impacting the environment and economy?

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

  • reach an understanding on the need for both regulatory reform and environmental quality;
  • explore ways we might implement regulatory reform and innovation 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, and businesses.
    •

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

    At the December event, WEI will engage stakeholders in a collaborative problem solving process to develop a set of innovative alternatives and solutions that can inform regulatory reform policy implementation, be sent to the governor and legislature, and be shared with government agencies, businesses and the public.

    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 economic and environmental future.

    WEI Environmental Policy Forum
    December 15, 2003

    Agenda
    • Registration
    • Kickoff Address – Scott Hassett, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources
    • Panel Roundtable:  "Policy Innovation and Regulatory Reform --What Really Needs to Happen?"  Panelists will give introductory statements in response to this question and share examples of emerging opportunities for implementing regulatory reform while positively affecting the environment and economy.  Moderated by Tom Still, President, Wisconsin Technology Council.
      Confirmed panelists include:
      • Senator Neal Kedzie, Chair, Environment and Natural Resources Committee
      • Representative Mark Miller, Natural Resources Committee
      • Jerry Deschane, Government Affairs Director, Wisconsin Builders Association
      • George Meyer, Executive Director, WI Wildlife Federation
      • Steve Hiniker, Executive Director, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin
        •
      • Jeff Schoepke, Environmental Policy Director, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
    • Lunch and Keynote Presentation:

    Introduction by Don Kettl, UW Madison, La Follette School of Public Affairs

    Performance – Focused, Information – Driven Environmental Protection: Shelley Metzenbaum, Senior Research Scholar and Executive Director, Environmental Compliance Consortium

    • Afternoon session: "In what ways might we encourage and reward regulatory innovation while positively impacting the environment and economy?"
    • Issue-related working groups will identify innovative ideas and projects which will support Wisconsin's economic and environmental goals.  Issue topics include:  air non-attainment, agricultural stewardship, business innovation, energy, green development/smart growth, shoreland development and water quantity/quality.
    • Reception

    Background
         Over the past several months, regulatory reform has been a hot topic among business interests, legislators, state agencies and environmental groups. In his "Grow Wisconsin" Initiative, Governor Doyle emphasizes regulatory reform as a priority and calls for "sensible reforms designed to lower the burden of regulations without sacrificing our standards. The DNR and Secretary Hassett have been leading the charge to eliminate backlogs, reward "good actors", simplify permitting and use the internet to reduce regulatory burdens. The DNR’s Innovation Stakeholders Group, representing legal, business, advocacy, academic and local government perspectives, advises the Secretary on reforms such as implementing Culture Change within the agency.

    Finally, the state legislature has introduced its own proposals for regulatory reform, including bills to streamline permitting, provide date-certainty (presumptive approval) for permit applications and limited immunity for businesses that complete environmental audits. The latest proposal, the "Job Creation Act of 2003", is sparking intense debate between business lobbyists who claim the bill will add jobs, without lowering environmental standards, and environmental/conservation groups, who see the bill as an all-out effort to gut public participation in policy making that significantly harms Wisconsin’s natural resources.

    As a result, "politics as usual" is making the debate about regulatory reform an unavoidable choice between economic growth and environmental protection, creating another green war which will hurt our ability to achieve the healthy business climate and environmental quality every Wisconsinite deserves.

    There is a better way…

    The goal of WEI’s Environmental Policy Forum is to improve environmental policy-making through increased communication and collaboration among diverse groups.

    Forum participants will address regulatory reform through collaboration and consensus building, resulting in policy recommendations to guide state policy makers in addressing this issue.

    Registration Fees:
    • WEI Member $50
    • Non-Member $75
    • Non-Profit Organization/Government $40
    • Become a member of WEI for $95 and attend the event free of charge.

    Registration fee includes materials, lunch, and refreshments.

    For more information or questions, contact WEI at (608) 280-0360.

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