Conservation scorecard includes energy votes
The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters issued a Conservation Scorecard on the 2007-2008 legislative session:
The Conservation Scorecard 2007-2008 is the guide to how Wisconsin state legislators voted on key conservation issues during the 2007-2008 legislative session.
The goal of the Scorecard is to provide objective, factual information about the voting records of Wisconsin’s state Senators and Representatives. The Scorecard is designed to provide voters with the information necessary to distinguish true stewards of Wisconsin’s environment from those who just talk about it. . . .
The public & media are invited to ATTEND LOCAL SCORECARD EVENTS celebrating the conservation successes of the 2007-08 legislative session and recognizing pro-conservation legislators. Each of the local parties listed below begin at 6:00 pm with the program beginning at 6:30 pm. An RSVP is not required, but would be appreciated–RSVP to jessica@conservationvoters.org.
July 23-Green Bay: Titletown Brewing Company, 200 Dousman St.
July 29-Milwaukee: Milwaukee Environmental Consortium, 1845 N. Farwell Ave.
July 30-Racine: Java Vino, 424 Main St.
August 5-Eau Claire: Houligan’s Steak and Seafood Pub, 415 S. Barstow St.
The Scorecard shows how each state representative and senator voted on the following key energy issues:
AB 157: Climate Change
Conservation Priority
AB 157 would have reduced Wisconsin’s impact on climate change by requiring the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. AB 157 would have established a reporting system, allowed for the use of market mechanisms to achieve reductions at least cost, and created an emergency provision to halt implementation of the regulation in extreme cases. This action reflects a vote on whether to vote on AB 157.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status:
•Failed Assembly.
AB 346: Energy
Current Wisconsin law requires that before any new nuclear power plant can be built, the Public Service Commission must ensure that a facility is available to accept all of the nuclear waste generated. It also requires that all financial costs of running the full life cycle of a nuclear plant be considered against all other alternative proposals. AB 346 would have eliminated these provisions from Wisconsin law.
Pro-Conservation Vote: NO
Status:
•Passed Assembly.
•AB 346 was not taken up by the Senate.
AB 625: Energy
AB 625 promotes renewable energy by allowing school districts to be able to generate their energy from clean sources. AB 625 allows Wisconsin school districts to take advantage of no-interest Clean Renewable Energy Bonds.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status:
•Passed Assembly on voice vote.*
•Passed Senate.
•Signed into law by Governor Doyle.
SB 346: Mercury
Mercury is one of the most toxic substances to human health. Currently, all in-state waters have mercury advisories advising women and children to limit the amount of fish they eat from our waters. Mercury is still found in many common household products. SB 346 would have protected human health and the environment from toxic mercury by phasing out its unnecessary use in certain products.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status
•Passed Senate.
•SB 346 was not taken up by the Assembly.
Budget: Motion 107 Energy
The Clean Energy Act of 2006 requires 10% of energy generated in Wisconsin to be from clean, renewable sources like wind and solar. Motion 107 undermined this prized law by classifying large-scale hydroelectric power from Canada as renewable. The motion encouraged Wisconsin to purchase power from Canada, rather than creating local jobs by generating energy in Wisconsin.
Pro-Conservation Vote: NO
Status:
•Passed Joint Finance Committee.
•Motion 107 was not included in the final
version of Act 20.
Budget: Motion 191 Energy
Motion 191 provides $50 million worth of Energy Efficiency Revenue Bonds to be used by Wisconsin school districts to fund energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency represents significant opportunities for cost savings while reducing the need for electricity
from polluting sources of energy.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status:
•Failed Joint Finance Committee.
Budget: Paper 100, Alt 1 Energy
Paper 100, Alt 1 maintained the creation of the Office of Energy Independence, which was charged with the critical job of developing and promoting the next generation of renewable energy and biofuels in Wisconsin.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status:
•Passed Joint Finance Committee.
•Signed into law as part of Act 20.
Budget: Paper 210 Energy
Conservation Priority
Paper 210 provided $22 million to invest in the next generation of renewable energy technologies that would benefit businesses and universities.
Pro-Conservation Vote: YES
Status:
•Passed Joint Finance Committee.
•Signed into law as part of Act 20.
