WHEREAS, the United States is now dependent on foreign oil imports, thereby posing a serious threat to the energy security of Wisconsin and our nation; and

WHEREAS, the major oil companies have dramatically increased the price of a tank of gas this year, driving up the cost of operating gasoline fueled vehicles; and
 
WHEREAS, the increased use of agricultural renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel will reduce our dependence on imported oil, will reduce the vulnerability of the State of Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s middle class and working families to the pricing vagaries of the major oil companies, and will create high paying and family supporting jobs in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, there are available in ever increasing volumes cleaner-burning, sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels that can be produced domestically; and

WHEREAS, the burning of conventional transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel by motor vehicles contributes to air pollution, health problems and increased carbon emissions that have been linked to global climate change; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous other important economic development benefits resulting from the use of renewable fuels, including but not limited to strengthening our agricultural and forestry sectors, improving net farm income, improving our rural economies, and creating new renewable fuels industry related jobs; and

WHEREAS, there are currently at least 25 public, government and private renewable fuel refueling facilities in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, transportation fuel costs represent a substantial operating expense for state government and Wisconsin taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Wisconsin state government should “lead by example” in using renewable fuels to the maximum extent feasible so as to encourage individuals, businesses and other levels of government to do the same;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby:

1. Direct the Department of Administration to require, through its fleet management policy, that all state agencies reduce the use of petroleum-based gasoline in state-owned vehicles by twenty percent (20%) by 2010 and by fifty percent (50%) by 2015, and reduce the use of petroleum-based diesel fuel by those vehicles ten percent (10%) by 2010 and twenty five percent (25%) by 2015; and
2. Direct the Department of Administration to develop an awareness plan designed to facilitate usage of renewable fuels in the State’s flex fuel vehicle fleet.  This program shall ensure:
1. All flex fuel vehicles in the State’s fleet shall be identifiable; and
2. All state employees driving flex fuel vehicles shall be made aware of the renewable fuel refueling stations in the location of their destination; and
3. All state employees shall strive to use renewable fuels when operating flex fuel and diesel powered vehicles in the fleet, whenever practical and cost effective; and
3. Direct the Secretaries of the Department of Administration and the Department of Agricultural, Trade and Consumer Protection to actively pursue the establishment of additional renewable fuel refueling facilities at public retail outlets.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed.  Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this first day of March, in the year two thousand six.

JIM DOYLE
Governor

By the Governor:

DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State