Last week, the Milwaukee Economic and Climate Justice Coalition* kicked off our 100% Clean Energy Campaign in Milwaukee! This campaign is aimed to get Milwaukee to pass a resolution to create a plan to achieve 100% clean, renewable energy- similar to the resolutions passed in many other municipalities across the country. In addition, the resolution calls for the plan to include a jobs program that would ensure the economic benefits of the transition to clean energy (stable electricity rates, jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency, etc) are kept in Milwaukee, especially the most economically distressed neighborhoods.
Milwaukee deserves energy that is 100% renewable and benefits the health and wellness of the community. A worldwide shift to 100% clean, renewable energy is both achievable and affordable for our nation as a whole and for individual towns and cities. The technologies to get us there already exist and make smart economic sense. A number of cities across America have already introduced or passed resolutions similar to this one; even in Wisconsin, we’ve seen huge progress in Madison and Eau Claire. And just recently, on July 17th, the Middleton Common Council unanimously approved the resolution for 100% Renewable Energy & Net Zero Carbon. When a resolution was passed in Madison, Alder Zach Wood had the following to say:
“The benefits of a transition to 100% clean energy are many. These goals will drive a clean energy economy that creates local jobs, provides affordable and sustainable electricity, and results in cleaner air and water. I am proud to be a part of this council that has made the historic commitment that will lead our community to a more sustainable future.”
Now it’s time for Milwaukee to take a step toward a better future with local clean energy and local jobs. We need Milwaukee to pass a resolution for 100% Clean Energy that also includes a strong local jobs requirement in order to ensure both climate justice and economic justice. This can and will be a resolution that all Milwaukeeans will benefit from. The August 2 Kick-off emphasized the need for both of these things.
You can watch the entire kick-off here. Ted Kraig of Wisconsin Citizen Action opened and reminded us about how urgent the need to address climate change is and how urgent the need to address Milwaukee's economic gap is. He also reminded us that getting to 100% clean energy can be a start to solving both of those problems. Following Ted, Robert Kraig of Wisconsin Citizen Action spoke about Milwaukee's rigged economy and how we can step up and make the changes we need to solve these problems. Economic problems often feel out-of-our-control, but if we all come together we can and will solve climate and economic problems.
The next part of the event focused on what we're asking for. Linda Frank, an environmental attorney and member of 350-Milwaukee, spoke about the climate components of the resolution. The resolution thanks the city for recognizing the need to address climate change and support of the Paris Accord, and recognizes that we have no choice but to move to 100% clean energy. Larry Hoffman of Citizen Action spoke about the jobs programs that are required. He reminded us that we need to make sure the jobs created emphasize jobs for businesses owned by people of color, formally-incarcerated people, and more.
Then, we turned towards what can be done. Ben Ishibani of People's Action spoke about the work that was done in Illinois to create the Future Energy Jobs Act, which increased the clean energy requirements for the utilities while ensuring clean energy jobs were created and funding was dedicated to job training and investments for low-income communities and environmental justice communities. It's working! Check out this article about how solar companies are now flocking to Illinois.
Then Kathy Kuntz, director of Cool Choices and member of REAMP Network, spoke about a recent analysis of how we can equitably decarbonize the midwest. We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that brings every one to the table and benefits everyone. She spoke about how we can accomplish this and how important it is that we do so.
Then, Miranda Ehrlich of the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign and Ben led the audience of about fifty or so in breakouts and a discussion about what components should be included in the resolution, in the process to making it happen and more. Check out the entire lively conversation at the link above.
Individual municipalities CAN make a difference to overall climate change emissions. Studies and projections show that “if all cities pushed to maximize their pilot-seat powers, and collectively took thousands of actions like these, urban America could single-handedly get us about 8 percent of the way to the nation’s 1.5-degree trajectory” (CityLab). That’s huge! Local government can make huge strides to bridge the gap between global climate change goals and the regressive nature of this administration's climate change agenda. Local government can make changing the energy grid away from dirty fossil fuels and planning for a cleaner, healthier community a priority in the budget. Local governments can and DO make a difference.
There are also campaigns in La Crosse, Eau Claire and Wauwatosa. For more information or to learn how to take steps to make this a reality in your municipality, email elizabeth.ward@sierraclub.org or call (608) 256-0565
*Milwaukee Economic and Climate Justice Coalition is led by Citizen Action, 350-Milwaukee, the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter, and Sierra Club Great Waters Group. We’re working to bring together multiple groups to create an Aldermanic Resolution to develop a renewable energy plan for the City of Milwaukee. The task is to bring those providing jobs and those needing jobs together around renewable energy development and a living wage.