Renewable energy goals for state energy consumption and for energy use by certain state agencies. (FE)

DOA, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health Services, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. One of the goals was that, by December 31, 2011, at least 20 percent of the total amount of electric energy generated or purchased by the state for power, heating, or cooling purposes for state-owned or leased facilities for all of the foregoing agencies is derived from renewable resources. Current law defines a "renewable resource" as a resource that generates electricity from any of the following: 1) certain renewable fuel cells; 2) tidal or wave action; 3) solar thermal electric or photovoltaic energy; 4) wind power; 5) geothermal technology; 6) biomass; 7) synthetic gas created by the plasma gasification of waste; 8) certain densified fuel pellets made from waste material other than garbage; 9) fuel produced by pyrolysis of organic or waste material; and 10) hydroelectric facilities. In addition, the Public Service Commission is allowed to promulgate rules identifying other types of renewable resources. Current law requires DOA to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature on the degree of attainment regarding the goals.

This bill requires DOA to establish new goals for the foregoing agencies. Under the bill, DOA must establish goals for the agencies that are designed to accomplish the goal that, by December 31, 2025, at least 30 percent of total annual amount of electric energy generated or purchased by the state for power, heating, or cooling purposes for state-owned or leased facilities for all of the agencies is derived from renewable resources. As under current law, DOA will be required to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature on the degree of attainment regarding the goals.

The bill also imposes a reporting requirement on the PSC. Current law requires the PSC to prepare a report no later than June 1, 2016, that states whether, by December 31, 2015, the state has met a goal that 10 percent of all electric energy consumed in the state is derived from renewable resources. If the goal is not achieved, the report must indicate why the goal was not achieved and how it may be achieved, and the PSC must prepare similar reports biennially thereafter until the goal is achieved. The PSC must submit the reports to the governor and legislature.

This bill requires the PSC to prepare another report, no later than June 1, 2026, that states whether, by December 31, 2025, the state has met a goal that 25 percent of all electric energy consumed in the state is derived from renewable resources. If the goal is not achieved, the report must indicate why the goal was not achieved and how it may be achieved, and the PSC must prepare similar reports biennially thereafter until the goal is achieved. The bill requires the PSC to submit the reports to the governor and legislature.