Walker's Attack On Wind Energy Kills Jobs, Another Project

Scott Walker's crazed opposition to wind energy has claimed another project, and along with it, jobs for Wisconsin workers. Here are the details (and more information is here, also):

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2011

Contact: Keith Reopelle, Clean Wisconsin, 608.251.7020 ext. 11, 608.212.2935 (cell)

               

Midwest Wind Energy Suspends Calumet County Wind Project

Second Wisconsin wind project to fall victim to regulatory uncertainty in 10 days

 

CALUMET COUNTY, Wis. – Midwest Wind Energy announced today that it would suspend plans to construct a 75-turbine wind project in southern Calumet County as a result of Wisconsin’s hostile regulatory climate.

 

“The suspension of the Stony Brook wind project is an unfortunate loss that will cost our state family-supporting jobs and entrench our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin, the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization.

 

Midwest Wind Energy’s (MWE) announcement comes just one day after the Joint Committee on Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) introduced a bill to suspend the wind siting rule (PSC 128). Wind energy companies and environmental advocates alike have warned that suspending this important rule would result in canceled projects and lost jobs.

 

“Most states are clearly open for renewable energy development and the economic development dollars and jobs that come with it,” MWE President Stefan Noe said in a statement released by the company today. “So long as there are states rolling out the welcome mat, it doesn’t make sense to devote significant dollars to a state that is creating unreasonable roadblocks for wind development.”

 

“Make no mistake, the suspension of this project and the jobs lost are the direct result of the Governor’s and legislative leaders’ hostile actions toward wind farm development,” said Reopelle.

 

The suspension of the Calumet project follows Invenergy LLC’s announcement earlier this month that it would no longer pursue the development of a Brown County wind farm set to infuse millions of dollars into the local economy.  

 

“The suspension of the wind siting rule has already killed two wind projects and cost our state hundreds of jobs,” said Reopelle. “We encourage our legislators to open the door to clean energy in Wisconsin by reversing this dangerous course of action.”

 

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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. 608-251-7020, information@cleanwisconsin.org, www.cleanwisconsin.org.

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Clean Wisconsin         

Your environmental voice since 1970.

web: www.cleanwisconsin.org

email: media@cleanwisconsin.org

608-251-7020