Greenwire: Wisconsin lawmakers unveiled a new draft of a bill to control carbon emissions that would ramp up renewable energy and allow the possibility of nuclear reactors in the state.
The new bill is a scaled-back version of one discussed late last year that was criticized for being too broad and costly. Gov. Jim Doyle (D) called the revised bill “a good compromise that will bring down consumer costs.”
The new version requires that 10 percent of the state’s power come from in-state renewable sources by 2025 and relaxes a moratorium on building nuclear reactors in the state. It also creates an incentive program for consumers to use renewable energy products. Among the changes are the removal of a low-carbon fuel standard and greenhouse gas tailpipe emission standard.
Critics say the bill is still too expensive thanks to mandated use of wind, solar and hydro power. Republicans charged that compliance costs with the new regulations would exceed $15 billion for investor-owned utilities.
Some lawmakers are concerned there will not be sufficient time to review and debate the legislation before the end of the legislative session on April 22 (Content/Bergquist, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, April 13). – JP