California Leads In Alternative Energy Investment

California is leading the way in alternative energy investment, far outstripping Wisconsin.

Granted it's a larger state, and let's acknowledge Wisconsin's fledgling efforts - - outlined recently by Gov. Jim Doyle in his State of the State speech, here.

And there is more evidence of collaboration among university, business and agricultural interests, through a climate change initiative, here.

But Wisconsin could be a lot more aggressive, establishing something approaching a state-level Marshall Plan, focusing on its northern forest resources, agricultural and water availability, academic leadership - - and here is the key, which seems to be missing in all the talk, planning, activity and promising:

Milwaukee's industrial and employment base.

That's how you make Wisconsin a national leader in the alternative energy revolution, and a destination for national capital looking for a home and a good return on itself - - by making sure there is a jobs' component in the work that means something to the state, its workers and job-seekers, too.

Wisconsin could set start, and then implement, an historic merger and working partnership amont the state's urban and rural sectors, its academic staffs and blue-collar workers, its farm production and industrial output.

It's time to think bigger about all the green there is in Green, and about the good that can be done for individuals and the state's economy at the same time.

It's time to Green Up the Wisconsin Idea, and the state's identity, so the next media splash about alternative energy initiatives has nothing to do with California, but instead has Wisconsin focus and a Milwaukee dateline.