Despite a series of political setbacks, a new report shows more than 500 Wisconsin companies are still serving the wind power and solar energy markets.
Included in the list are more than 75 companies in the Madison area, from Full Spectrum Solar to IEA Renewable Energy, the former RMT Inc.
The report released Wednesday by the Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago was designed to showcase the contribution clean power is making to the state economy at a time policy makers are putting up roadblocks to renewable energy development in the state.
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“Wisconsin has a strong manufacturing base and well-trained workforce that can export renewable energy products to a world that wants more clean energy with each passing year,” said Andy Olsen, senior policy advocate in ELPC’s Madison office in a statement.
The report found that many of the Wisconsin companies working in the clean energy space were actually smaller firms, with an average of 12 employees. That compares with Illinois where the typical renewable energy firm has nearly 50 people.
“Wisconsin’s renewable energy economy is driven by small businesses spread across the state, rather than by a few very large employers,” said John Paul Jewell, lead researcher on the ELPC project.
Wisconsin was once considered something of a leader in the Midwest on clean energy. It was one of the first states to adopt a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) which set a requirement that 10 percent of statewide energy comes from renewable sources by 2015.
The Republican-controlled Legislature has since watered down the RPS by allowing imported hydropower from Canada to qualify. That has slowed development of renewable energy here, according to the report.
In addition, Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2015-2017 also includes a requirement that the state spend $250,000 to study the impact of wind tower on public health – although previous studies have shown no link.
Changes in the way Wisconsin-based utilities bill their customers has also put a dent into the development of solar power in the state, advocates say.
Utilities like Madison Gas & Electric — with the blessing of the Walker controlled Public Service Commission — have been raising their fixed rate monthly charges and reducing charges for the amount of electricity used.
Clean power boosters say the billing changes work as a disincentive for customers to practice conservation or use alternative energy sources.
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