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Executive Director Notes

Clean Wisconsin’s response to President Bush’s State of the Union Address

In his State of the Union address, President Bush correctly noted that we Americans must work together to diversify America’s energy sources. He was right in stating that we “must change how we generate electrical energy” and move towards “clean coal, solar, wind” and other energy sources as one way to be “better stewards of the environment and confront global climate change.”

Utilities and the coal industry market coal-fired electricity generation as a necessary resource to meet future energy needs. However, coal-fired power plants are by far the largest contributor to global warming emissions in Wisconsin, currently emitting 47 million tons of carbon dioxide and other global warming gasses each and every year. Among the alternatives available for producing electricity, pulverized coal plants fall dead last in Wisconsin’s own State Energy Priorities Law.

The President acknowledged that we are “on the verge of technological breakthroughs” which is exactly what we need at this time of over-dependence on coal and oil, increased global warming pollution, and rising costs for fossil fuels. Wisconsin deserves the best in clean, responsible energy choices that meet our needs for electricity, but also protect our environment.

In Wisconsin a new energy system would create tremendous economic opportunity and greatly reduce global warming gasses. We agree with the President on this issue, and the fact that we must stop relying on dirty, outdated coal plants.

Mark Redsten
Executive Director, Clean Wisconsin