WHEREAS, the state of Wisconsin has a long history of being a national leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy; and

        WHEREAS, success in advancing the economy of renewable power, renewable fuels and bio-products will reduce Wisconsin citizens’ and business’ dependence on imported petroleum; and

        WHEREAS, the Governor’s Consortium on Bio-based Industry identified the bio-industry as one of Wisconsin’s greatest opportunities to become a national industry leader, and in doing so, create good jobs, new sources of revenue for farmers and woodland owners, overall economic growth and environmental benefits, all at the same time; and

        WHEREAS, the “Energy Independence” goals of obtaining 25 percent of our energy and fuel needs by 2025 from renewable sources, and becoming the market share leaders in renewable and green technologies, can be achieved by maximizing our state’s unique agricultural and forestry assets, robust manufacturing sector and world class university and technical college systems; and

        WHEREAS, meeting the 25 percent renewable energy and fuels goals and capturing 10 percent of the emerging renewable energy and bio-industry market would generate over 17,000 new, good-paying jobs and add over $13.5 billion to Wisconsin’s economy; and

        WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Administration to provide consistent and strong leadership and a favorable policy environment that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, technology development and business growth within both existing and new businesses; and

        WHEREAS, meeting the “Energy Independence” goals will require a coordinated commitment and effort from Wisconsin state agencies in partnership with private citizens, industries and organizations;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. § 14.019, do hereby:

        1.  Establish the Office of Energy Independence (the “Office”), which shall have the following mission:

           a.  Advancing Wisconsin’s vision for energy independence by generating 25 percent of our power and 25 percent of our transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025;

           b.  Capturing 10 percent of the emerging bio-industry and renewable energy market by 2030; and

           c.  Becoming a national leader in groundbreaking research that will make alternative energies more affordable and create new, good-paying jobs in Wisconsin;

        2.  Direct that the Office be staffed by an Executive Director and sufficient staff to carry out the following tasks:

           a.  Ensure and facilitate the implementation of Wisconsin’s energy independence initiatives;

           b.  Serve as a single-point of contact to assist businesses, local units of government and NGOs that are pursuing bio-development, energy efficiency and energy independence;

           c.  Identify barriers to implementation of the Wisconsin’s energy independence initiatives;

           d.  Develop energy independence policy options for consideration by the Governor and state agencies;

           e.  Identify federal funding opportunities and facilitate applications for funding by both state/local government and private entities; and

           f.  Serve as the State Energy Office and perform duties necessary to maintain federal designation and federal funding.

        3.  Request the Public Service Commission to explore a multi-utility effort to build an integrated gasification combined cycle electric generation facility; and

        4.  Provide that an “Energy Independence Team” consisting of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Natural Resources; Administration; Commerce; and Financial Institutions, and the Chair of the Public Service Commission work to cooperatively guide Wisconsin’s bio-industry development strategies; and

        5.  Direct the Team agencies to provide additional staffing support to the Office of Energy Independence as necessary in consultation with the Executive Director; and

        6.  Measure success over the next four years as follows: increased renewable fuel production and consumption; increased renewable electricity production; decreased reliance on fossil fuels; increased renewable energy job growth and economic activity; increased private and federal funding for research, development and commercialization; and, increased use of bio-feed stocks as a replacement for petroleum.

        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 fifth day of April in the year two thousand seven.

JIM DOYLE
Governor

By the Governor:    
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DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State