Your renewable energy victory

Over the course of 2007, Clean Wisconsin members made their voices heard. You wanted more renewable energy, you got more renewable energy!

Clean Wisconsin members across the state took the time to meet with and contact their representatives letting them know how important renewable energy is to the future of Wisconsin. This message was received loud and clear. Thanks to the countless phone calls, letters, and emails submitted by Clean Wisconsin members, 7 of Wisconsin's 8 congressional representatives recently voted to increase the federal Renewable Electricity Standard. Your passionate support for this topic helped push Wisconsin representatives to cross party lines and create strong bipartisan support for clean energy.

Your hard work over the last year ensured the US House of Representatives would get serious about backing clean energy legislation. For the first time in years, the House of Representatives Energy Bill included minimum standards for the production of renewable energy. This landmark bill will require public utilities around the country to provide at least 15% of their energy from renewable resources by 2020. This will be a huge leap forward for many states that currently get less than 1% of their energy from renewable sources like wind, solar and biofuels.

As of press time, the US Senate and House of Representatives are in the process of ironing out the details of a "compromise" version of The Energy Bill, but most experts believe that the agreement will include the Renewable Electricity Standard. The bill will soon be on the President's desk and ready for his signature.

Your efforts have paid off; more renewable energy is just around the corner! Take a deep breath of slightly cleaner air and congratulate yourself on a job well done.