Assembly Republicans Announce Environmental and Energy Proposals

Assembly Republicans recently announced a package of several environmental and energy proposals, including state support for electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy rebates. Language of the proposals has yet to be introduced. Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) said funding for the proposals would come entirely from existing revenue.

Below are details on the proposals.

 

Electric vehicle charging stations

Assembly Republicans are proposing to authorize the Public Service Commission (PSC) to use funds from the Volkswagen emissions settlement to provide matching grants to businesses to help pay for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) said the stations would likely start along I-94 near Milwaukee and Madison. Stations would be privately owned and maintained and would charge a user fee. Neylon is seeking up to $10 million in funding for the grants.

Similarly, Gov. Tony Evers’s state budget proposed allocating 40 percent of the remaining $25 million in Volkswagen settlement funds for electric vehicle charging stations through a grant program at the Department of Administration.

The PSC also recently opened its own generic docket to investigate how it might regulate electric vehicles and charging stations.

 

Renewable energy rebates

Assembly Republicans are proposing to require all energy providers offer customers the option to purchase renewable energy for a premium. PSC would then cover up to 50 percent of the premium. Funding would come from the PSC’s Focus on Energy program, which is funded by investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Neylon anticipated costs to be $7 million to $8 million annually.

 

Solar and wind energy education and training

Assembly Republicans are proposing to give the Department of Workforce Development the authority to use Fast Forward worker training grant funds to provide grants to employers and schools for education and training on solar and wind energy systems. Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) is circulating this proposal as LRB 2447, which provides $1 million for the grants.

 

Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program

Assembly Republicans are proposing to extend the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program in the state budget. The program is set to expire in 2020. Evers also proposed extending the program in his state budget.

 

Recycling electronics

Assembly Republicans are proposing to work with counties to explore solutions to the issue of pollution from electronics disposal.