Wisconsin clean energy job export program continues
Wisconsin legislators are moving ahead, probably unwittingly, with an additional measure that will export jobs to Canada, says AWEA Director of Business Development Jeff Anthony in an opinion article for the Milwaukee Biz Blog at BizTimes.com.
The latest bill passed by the state Assembly, which would allow utilities to import Manitoba hydropower to meet Wisconsin's renewable electricity standard, follows the blocking of a state siting standard for wind farms, which was to take effect earlier this year and provide “rules of the road” for new wind projects in the state. Since the siting standard was blocked, two developers have abandoned projects and a third has put its plans on ice (see Gov. Walker's war on wind claims another victim; 2nd wind farm cancelled, May 19, 2011).
Notes Anthony, “If Wisconsin is serious about economic development and growing jobs in the state, it must look to establish a stable environment for wind project development and for wind turbine component manufacturing in the state … States that are 'open for business' to the wind energy industry, like Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan, are reaping the benefits of these associated manufacturing jobs.”
More reading:
Defying public opinion, Wisconsin legislature ponders new attack on wind, other renewables, May 27, 2011
Gov. Walker's war on wind claims another victim; 2nd wind farm cancelled, May 19, 2011
Public Opinion Watch: Wisconsin says “Yes!” to wind power, April 25, 2011
Wisconsin anti-wind bill is job killer, January 19, 2011