Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Supporting Clean Energy Choice for Wisconsin.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has been a national leader in increasing sustainability in its planning, operations, management, and policymaking by implementing initiatives that save energy, reduce waste and conserve natural resources while supporting a healthy economy; and,
WHEREAS, the City has been named one of the 25 Solar America Cities nationwide by the US Department of Energy, recognizing Madison's leadership for clean energy for our citizens and city; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison operates a pioneering Solar program, MadiSUN, that has helped hundreds of businesses and thousands of residents learn about and use solar energy and join in cost-reducing group purchases to make solar more affordable; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has installed cost-effective solar energy systems on city facilities including libraries, police and utility buildings, and landfills and seeks to install more; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is an Energy Independent Community committing to Wisconsin's vision for energy independence by generating 25 percent of electricity and 25 percent of transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025; and leading the nation in making clean energy more affordable; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has sought to aid citizens and businesses in finding innovative ways to finance solar energy systems and that financing remains a barrier for many who would adopt solar energy, but ambiguities in state law make it difficult for customers to access directly clean renewable energy produced on their premises from systems owned by third parties, and more than 20 states have adopted policies expressly authorizing these types of arrangements with third parties; and,
WHEREAS, Clean Energy Choice will expand market and job opportunities for City businesses and residents and Wisconsin companies and their employees who are part of the state's vast renewable energy supply chain by integrating locally available renewable energy into our economy and by engaging local manufacturers, distributors and installers, farmers, builders, entrepreneurs, and related professional workers,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Madison urges the State of Wisconsin to adopt a policy expressly allowing customers to enter into contracts with third parties who install, own, and operate a renewable energy system at the customer's premises by supporting Clean Energy Choice, which will help households and businesses adopt on-premise renewable energy at no extra cost to ratepayers or taxpayers; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council of Madison joins the other Wisconsin citizens, businesses, and local governments to endorse Clean Energy Choice as a policy for Wisconsin residents; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City Council of Madison directs the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the County's state legislative delegation.