Dive Brief:
- Wisconsin's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires utilities to get 10% of their power supply from renewables by 2015 is weak, according to Gary Radloff, Midwest energy policy analysis director at the Wisconsin Energy Institute.
- Besides expanding the state's RPS requirements, Wisconsin should open up the state to third-party financing, a move opposed by utilities, said Radloff.
- Several bills are moving through the Wisconsin Assembly that make minor changes to the state's RPS. Radloff doubts the RPS will be overturned.
Dive Insight:
Wisconsin's neighbor Minnesota has a 25% by 2025 RPS, plus Xcel Energy has its own 30% by 2020 requirement. Renewable development is booming in the state with little additional cost to ratepayers, according to utility reports to the Minnesota Legislature.
Wind developers have largely abandoned Wisconsin because of its hostile environment. As long as Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, remains in charge, don't expect any changes on the renewables front in Wisconsin.
