Two months in and the stage is set for a decisive 2024. After years of work, multiple environmental decisions are expected that could make this a groundbreaking year for climate action. Add in a huge election and decisions about legislative maps and we are sure to see the ripple effects for years to come. Rest assured, we’ll be busy educating and advocating for our water, land, wildlife and democracy, right down to the very last moment. Here are the top 10 things to watch in 2024.
10. Will wetlands protection be prioritized over a private golf course?- Late last year a court revoked Kohler Company's permit to fill wetlands to build a golf course at Kohler-Andrae Lakeshore, a fragile ecosystem that includes Kohler Andrae State Park. If the Kohler Company recognizes the damage their proposal could cause the lakeshore and chooses to walk away, this year could mark the end of this years-long battle.
9. Will the PSC finally address energy burden disparities?- The energy burden (the amount of your income you spend on utilities) of households in predominantly Black and Hispanic/Latinx neighborhoods is roughly double that of households in predominantly white neighborhoods in Milwaukee. The PSC will have a number of opportunities to address and reduce the disparity, including improving We Energies’ low-income program, a rate case, and a pilot program that would cap energy burden for some of We Energies’ most burdened customers. With WEC Energy Group's announcement that they will build out 3,000 megawatts of new, expensive gas, those decisions will greatly impact all WEC customers and could increase energy burden.
8. Will we see a boost in local, clean energy in WI? - Communities across Wisconsin continue to use the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other programs within President Biden’s Clean Energy Plan to invest in clean energy and further their climate goals. This year we’ll continue to see new programs announced by the Biden Administration ensure Wisconsin communities take advantage of these programs.
7. Will federal protections for wolves continue? - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a plan to create a first-ever nationwide gray wolf recovery plan. That work will be ongoing throughout the year and could impact federal protections for our grey wolves in Wisconsin.
6. Will Wisconsinites get protection for their drinking water? - This year the Department of Natural Resources is creating new regulations to protect our water from lead pollution and is seeking permission from the legislature to move forward on protections from PFAS.
5. Will the civil rights investigation halt the I94 expansion? - Late last year the Federal Highway Administration opened a civil rights investigation into the proposal to expand the I94 highway in Milwaukee. The result of this investigation (submitted on behalf of over 30 organizations) could result in major changes to the project, including a repair instead of expansion.
4. Will local voices prevail? - Last year, Dairyland Power Coop applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture program that would allow power coops to transition off of fossil fuels. At the same time, Dairyland continues to move forward with the proposal to build a gas plant on the shores of Lake Superior, despite local opposition.
3. Will Enbridge's Line 5 be shutdown once and for all? - The fate of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline, which jeopardizes the Great Lakes, our climate, and Tribal sovereignty, could be decided this year. While Enbridge is appealing the court order to shut down the pipeline by 2026, they are also seeking a workaround that would allow them to keep operating Line 5.
2. What will new maps mean? - Based on a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling late last yearthe legislature was required to pass new legislative maps that do not give either party an advantage. In 2023 alone, we saw the legislature undermine transit funding, science-based wolf regulations, clean energy, and more. A new legislature could create many opportunities to see bold action on climate change like we need. Opportunities we’ve seen our neighboring states take advantage of.
1. Will a climate friendly president be elected? - Deadlines to address climate change, like the need to decarbonize the electric sector and conserve 30% of our land and water to protect biodiversity by 2030 are approaching. The next Presidency will be critical in determining whether we can achieve these goals.
Honorable Mention. Will Wisconsin accept clean energy from the west?: A lack of transmission capacity has blocked clean energy from coming into Wisconsin. Some wind and solar farms in neighboring states have sat idle because there aren't transmission lines to connect to. For Wisconsin to get to 100% clean energy, we will need to invest in clean energy around the state, increase energy efficiency, and get some energy from out of state. This year, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) will vote on two of these critical transmission lines.
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