Americans Want More Community Solar and Emphasis on Clean Energy
New Coalition Formed to Advocate for Solar Leasing options in Wisconsin
Rock County Informational Webinar on Energy Development February 18
Jeff Stone Added to Advisory Board
The Sun Shines on Sheboygan County!
Americans Want More Community Solar and Emphasis on Clean Energy
November 2, 2023 - Madison, WI. The Conservative Energy Network (CEN), a coalition of 24 state-based conservative clean energy organizations of which the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum is a member, today released the results of its annual national survey. Respondents answered questions about clean energy, climate solutions, market competition, and other related policy issues. The survey results revealed that an overwhelming majority of voters (88%) believe that it is important that the United States produce its own energy and become energy independent.
When Americans think of clean energy, they think solar. 64% of voters want more emphasis on solar energy. This includes 59% of Independents and a plurality (44%) of Republicans who want a greater emphasis placed on solar energy. When it comes to community solar developments, voters want to see action to create American energy in their communities (70%).
An overwhelming majority of voters (69%) support community solar, including 59% of Republicans and 79% of Independents. 63% of voters who support a few more Republicans than Democrats support community solar.
“The United States is at a crossroads in its energy policy and voters are making their desire for clean, affordable, and reliable energy known,” said Ryan Huebsch, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum. “Our country should strive toward energy independence and continue to expand into diversified, renewable sources of energy.”
Other key findings from the poll include:
Americans, by and large, are unable to define America’s current energy strategy. Survey results show that the country wants more emphasis on alternative energy sources like solar and wind and less emphasis on traditional forms of energy such as coal.
62% of voters support cutting regulations and red tape that slow American energy development, including 67% of Republicans and 62% of Independents.
At least two-thirds of voters are worried about the affordability, reliability, and sustainability of their energy. This reflects an underlying concern by Americans that reaches all corners of American energy.
The entirety of the poll findings can be found here. To provide additional context to the survey findings, CEN will host a virtual presentation on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST with pollster Chris McNulty and John Szoka, CEN CEO. You can register for the webinar here.
Methodology
The Causeway Solutions survey polled registered voters in the United States from October 9 through October 11, 2023. This live dial survey (N=1,011) should yield a margin of error of ±3.0% in 95 out of 100 cases.
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About Conservative Energy Network: The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 24 state-based conservative clean energy organizations advancing policy solutions that emphasize market competition, consumer choice, and innovation. Learn more at www.conservativeenergynetwork.org.
About Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum: The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization charged with educating community leaders, decision makers, consumers, public officials and other state leaders on the economic, security, and conservation benefits of Wisconsin clean energy. The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WISCEF) is a vehicle for individuals, organizations, and businesses to join the conservative conversation about Wisconsin’s energy future.
April 25, 2023 — Madison, WI. — The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WISCEF), an advocacy organization advancing clean energy solutions rooted in conservative principles, announced that Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch has joined its advisory board.
Kleefisch was elected Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 2010 where she served until 2019. She has long been a reform leader and vocal advocate for workforce and economic development. During her tenure, she played a key role in advancing Governor Scott Walker's conservative agenda, including the implementation of Act 10, which reformed collective bargaining for public employees in Wisconsin.
Kleefisch is currently President of The 1848 Project, a conservative organization that listens to Wisconsinites’ concerns, proposes policy solutions, and trains policy leaders using online platforms, training sessions, and policy papers.
“Energy use and production is going through historic change in our state and country,” said Lt. Governor Kleefisch. “I look forward to helping Wisconsin continue to move toward a balanced approach that includes more renewable sources, while understanding the vital role affordable and reliable energy plays in our economy and everyday lives.”
In her role on the advisory board, Kleefisch will work with WISCEF to promote clean energy policies and advance the organization's mission to engage conservatives on the benefits and value of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
"We are thrilled to have Lt. Governor Kleefisch join our advisory board," said Ryan Huebsch, executive director of WISCEF. "Her extensive experience and leadership in Wisconsin make her a valuable addition to our team, and we look forward to working with her to advance clean energy policies that benefit all Wisconsinites."
Kleefisch joins a distinguished group of advisors on the WISCEF board, including former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin legislators Mark Honadel and Jeff Stone, former Verona Mayor Jon Hochkammer, and other prominent Wisconsin citizens.
For more information about the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum, visit www.wiscef.org.
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New Coalition Formed to Advocate for Solar Leasing Options in Wisconsin
Stakeholders from across Wisconsin join together to back Senate Bill 702 & Assembly Bill 731
Madison, WI. – To support a push in the legislature to resolve long standing uncertainty of solar leasing and financing options a new coalition is being formed. The Wisconsin Energy Freedom Coalition is encouraging support and passage of Senate Bill 702 and Assembly Bill 731, legislation to affirm the legal ability of residents, businesses, and communities across the state to fully utilize lease and financing options for solar power. Currently Wisconsin is the only state in the nation that effectively outlaws these financing options for solar, so often utilized by consumers across the country. The Wisconsin Energy Freedom Coalition is led by 10 founding organizations advocating together for increased solar opportunities in Wisconsin. The Coalition includes:
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
League of Wisconsin Municipalities
Organic Valley
Aurora Health
T. Wall Enterprises
RENEW Wisconsin
Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum
Wisconsin Grocers Association
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Faith Technologies
“This legislation is an opportunity for policymakers in our state to finally clear up an outdated and confusing area of state regulation,” said Scott Coenen of Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum. “The solar market is booming across the country and innovative business models are emerging that empower consumers to take advantage of these tools in ways no one could have predicted even ten years ago. In Wisconsin, regulation is threatening to hold back investment and access to this market. Our state should be open for business like states across the country already are, this helps us get there.” Solar leasing, commonly referred to as third party financing, is used by consumers in one form or another in 49 other states across the country but has been effectively outlawed in Wisconsin.
“With solar leasing clarified, we can expand the solar market and create new job and investment opportunities in Wisconsin,” said Heather Allen of RENEW Wisconsin. “This legislation will allow for rapid expansion of solar on homes, businesses and nonprofits, driving millions of dollars of private investment in Wisconsin and creating good paying Jobs. This bill is essential to help clear up long-standing misconceptions that solar leasing is illegal. Without this bill we won’t be able to compete with other states that are much further along on installing solar and creating robust consumer-oriented markets.”
The Wisconsin Energy Freedom Coalition supports Senate Bill 702 and Assembly Bill 731, sponsored by Senator Rob Cowles and Representative Rachael Cabral-Guevara, legislation to affirm the legal right of residents, businesses, and communities across the state to fully utilize lease and financing options for solar power. While consumers in neighboring states are free to access solar power produced on their property using equipment owned by another entity, Wisconsinites do not clearly have those options available to them.
This legal uncertainty continues to hamper the growth of the solar market and access to more competitive options. We believe putting more power and options in the hands of consumers can help modernize Wisconsin’s energy infrastructure, reduce costs, and improve environmental outcomes.
For more information about the Coalition, visit wi4energyfreedom.com.
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What’s Happening in Texas?
February 17, 2021 (Madison, WI)
Another year, another polar vortex here in Wisconsin. We’re accustomed to extreme cold snaps here in our state, but this year the cold has extended south to regions that don’t often share our temperatures. Not surprisingly, this has created significant energy issues in places like Texas. Over the last two days Texas, has undergone power outages and rolling blackouts as its energy grid has been unable to cope with a huge spike in demand coupled with faltering generation.
Conservatives often focus critically on renewable energy when extreme weather strains energy systems. The numbers, however, are far more complicated than many like to admit. Monday in Texas roughly 30 gigawatts (GW) of power went offline due to extreme cold. Of that 30 GW, 26 GW were thermal generation (coal, natural gas, nuclear), while 4 GW were wind. So, while many have probably heard much about frozen wind turbines, you may not have heard that roughly 85% of the outages in Texas were actually due to traditional fuel plants. In fact, an entire nuclear reactor was brought offline Monday due to adverse effects from the cold. That's not to say traditional energy sources like natural gas aren't a good resource, they are, but extreme weather events are hard on all energy generation and infrastructure. And unfortunately, it seems as if extreme weather is becoming more common.
Conservatives should take a pragmatic approach to these energy issues. As a nation, we are not ready to rely exclusively on renewable energy, especially when we have to build infrastructure to meet once-in-a-century weather events multiple times per year. Pushing back on the Green New Deal and far-left environmentalism that sets impractical goals for very practical technologies is all well and good but conservatives should resist the urge to blame emerging technologies for every problem our energy infrastructure confronts, especially when the facts don't back that up. In the coming weeks we’ll learn more about what’s happening in Texas and conservatives should prioritize developing responsible solutions, offering paths forward instead of falling back on outdated rhetoric.
Scott Coenen is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a voice for conservatives in the state’s energy policy debate.
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Rock County Informational Webinar on Energy Development February 18
ROCK COUNTY - A local conservative nonprofit invites Rock County residents to a free online Zoom webinar about renewable energy on February 18 from 7pm to 8pm. You may have noticed wind and solar farms beginning construction around the state, yet it’s hard to find common-sense information on what this means for residents and local communities. This webinar fills that gap.
“Rock County residents should have all the information they need to understand the transition to renewable energy, because it’s affecting their lives. Wind and solar have traditionally been championed by the left, but as these technologies become economically competitive their appeal is much broader,” said Scott Coenen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum and one of two presenters on Thursday’s webinar. “Renewables are better for consumer’s pocketbooks, it helps us invest in jobs right here at home in Rock County, and it creates real opportunities for our communities, especially in rural areas.”
Matt Johnson, Field Operations Director of the Land & Liberty Project of Wisconsin and the second presenter on the webinar, added that clean energy is one way Wisconsin can demonstrate we’re open for business. “Clean energy development is key to reviving rural communities across Wisconsin and families should have the right to produce energy on their land. Our communities are made stronger when we produce our own power, and consumers deserve access to energy at a lower price. During our webinar, we’ll lay this all out in detail for Rock County residents.”
During the webinar, residents will have an opportunity to learn more about how wind and solar farms benefit local communities, the role landowners play in hosting clean energy projects, and what the siting process involves for new developments. There will be an opportunity for discussion and questions after the presentation.
To register for the free webinar, please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rTGITTt5Qlu_qNT0fibPdQ
Jeff Stone Added to Advisory Board
January 21, 2021 (Madison, WI)
Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WICEF) is pleased to welcome Jeff Stone to our Advisory Board. Jeff is a former State Representative who currently serves as the Vice President and Senior Consultant for Kapur & Associates, a leading engineering firm providing civil, environmental, surveying, natural resources, site planning, and public relations among other development, municipal, and transportation-related services. Jeff has been active and involved in state and local government, infrastructure projects, and the Public Service Commission for over 20 years. He served as a Republican member of the Wisconsin legislature for 15 years, an Alderman for the City of Greenfield and also served as a utility regulator working with local governments and officials in hundreds of cities and villages of all sizes throughout Wisconsin on development and finance of their infrastructure.
Jeff aids in public relations and public involvement with Kapur and remains active in transportation committees and boards throughout the State of Wisconsin. Kapur is based in Milwaukee, with offices in Appleton, Wausau, and Burlington in Wisconsin, along with Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville.
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The Sun Shines on Sheboygan County!
Solar energy is coming to Sheboygan County in more ways than one. While solar panels are not a new technology, advances in the efficiency and cost are helping spread solar in wider directions. With the recent addition of a solar energy system on Viking Masek’s headquarters in Oostburg, the company is taking some big steps forward. 648 solar panels, installed by Sheboygan’s own Arch Electric, now sit atop the facility generating enough power for about 28 homes in the area.
The decision to go solar for Viking Masek ended up being pretty straight forward. As the company started to look with Arch Electric at specific numbers, the payback of the system became clear. Danielle Ohl of Viking Masek said “from a financial standpoint, we are saving a significant amount of money each month on our energy bills. Plus, there are some great grant programs and tax incentives out there to help with the upfront costs. We expect the array to pay for itself fully in 2 – 3 years.”
Viking Masek HQ
Solar also has the added benefit of setting the company apart from its competitors. “As a young and growing company, we are always looking for ways to challenge the status quo. As the rest of the world moves forward, packaging equipment manufacturers often hold tight to safe, established technologies. For us, committing to renewable energy is just another way to bring modern technological innovations to an established industry” said Bryan Lacy, Director of Sales for Viking Masek.
In addition to Viking Masek’s solar system a large solar farm is coming to our area, Onion River Solar. Onion River, a project of Ranger Power, is a utility scale solar farm able to power tens of thousands of homes in the area. Located in the Town of Holland the planned development will bring jobs, investment, and increased tax revenue to the county and township.
Emily Straka, a project developer for Ranger Power, says the timing is right for solar power in Wisconsin. “The big driver behind the growth of solar in Wisconsin is the huge drop in the cost of energy from solar facilities like Onion River Solar – down by more than 89% in the last decade,” says Emily. “Led by advances in both technology and construction, the improvements have moved solar from a boutique solution with limited applicability in northern states – where we relish summer in part because it is short – to a mainstream energy source, cost-competitive with traditional coal and natural gas options, even in Wisconsin.”
“The last several years have seen a dramatic change in the solar industry landscape, especially in the Midwest,” says Emily. “The demand from utilities for solar energy continues to grow and as such, there continue to be more solar projects proposed. The technology also continues to advance. For instance, in recent years, we’ve moved from static panels to panels on trackers that efficiently capture more of the sun’s energy.” Onion River solar panels will be on trackers that effectively follow the sun throughout the day.
So what can Onion River bring to the area? “Onion River Solar provides local diversification,” says Emily. Moving some land from intensive farming back to native prairie underneath the panels can have benefits to water and land management, while providing healthy habitat for birds, bees and other wildlife. “We’re also pleased to provide a viable option for local farmers and landowners to diversify income while keeping land in the family. In addition, the project will generate significant new revenue of an estimated $600,000 every year for the Town and County through Wisconsin’s Utility Shared Revenue Program, as well as significant local economic activity during construction.”
Ranger Power began working on solar projects across the Midwest in 2017 and are currently working on development projects in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. The company expects to continue work on Onion River as the project obtains the necessary permits to be constructed.
WICEF Public Comments on Eagle Point Solar
Dear Commissioners, Commission Staff, Interested Public and Utility Representatives,
I respectfully submit the following public comments relating to docket 9300-DR-104, specifically Eagle Point Solar’s appeal of denial of application for interconnection.
At the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum, we are focused on free market, conservative principles and solutions to help markets that are undergoing a large-scale transition to renewable sources of power. The incredible cost declines of solar and wind within the last decade are putting these technologies in a position they have never been before; the low-cost options on the marketplace. Policymakers, regulators, and energy providers need to adjust accordingly.
Declines in the price of solar in particular are opening up new markets and opportunities for investment in energy. Wisconsin needs to take seriously the challenges and opportunities that arise from a competitive third party provided solar market. This is an issue we can no longer ignore, as millions of dollars of investment are being left on the sidelines due to unclear, outdated, and unfair regulations. Eagle Point Solar offers a specific example, with nearly two million dollars in project investment potentially threatened.
Customers and solar providers in this state deserve a level of certainty as the market develops. This certainty should extend to projects and contracts no matter how they are funded or structured. If our principles are grounded in a belief in the power of competitive free markets to move us forward it is past time that we stop impeding private sector companies trying to do business in the solar space in our state. Third party, private sector providers of rooftop solar deserve and need certainty in Wisconsin. We urge you to support Eagle Point Solar's petition and determine that their solar financing contract does not make them a public utility so they can move forward and continue providing a valuable and needed service to a growing market in our state.
WICEF Supports Badger Hollow Solar Farm
Development could be a historic opportunity for Wisconsin
Dear Commissioners, Commission Staff, Interested Public and Utility Representatives,
I respectfully submit the following public comments relating to docket 9697-CE-100, regarding the Badger Hollow Solar Farm.
The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum is an organization of conservative leaders across Wisconsin who care about applying conservative, free market solutions to energy issues facing our state. Energy markets around the country are undergoing a large-scale transition to renewable sources of power. The significant cost reductions of solar and wind over the last decade have placed these technologies in a position they have never been before; more and more frequently the lowest-cost options in the marketplace. Policymakers, regulators, and energy providers have an opportunity here; embrace this change, build on its success, and look for ways to help markets in this transition.
Badger Hollow Solar Farm represents a crucial first step for large utility-scale solar in our state. The investment, jobs, economic development, lease payments to residents and farmers, and tax payments to local governments represent just the beginning of the potential that renewable energy development can hold for rural Wisconsin.
The opportunity going forward that this represents is tremendous. For the last century we have always imported energy resources to our state. Without coal deposits, natural gas, or oil every time we fill our cars or flip on the lights, we send our money out of state. In Wisconsin, last year alone, we sent $15 billion out of this state to meet our energy needs. A market driven transition that includes a larger share of renewable energy offers us the opportunity to bring those dollars home.
Badger Hollow represents what we hope this new era of homegrown renewable energy can be. This project brings to Southwest Wisconsin hundreds of construction jobs, five permanent positions in operations and management, over $3 million in annual lease payments to local landowners, and millions of dollars in increased tax revenue to local units of government. When we talk about the potential for economic gains in Wisconsin from renewable energy, this project is exactly what we point to.
The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum supports this project and we urge members of the PSC to do the same.
Sincerely,
Scott Coenen
Executive Director