Wisconsin Regulators Force Businesses to Support Costly Global Warming Task Force

Americans for Prosperity Calls Act “Government Bullying;”
Contradicts and Compromises Free Market System

MILWAUKEE – Americans for Prosperity laments Wisconsin state regulators’ recommendation to force a Green Bay utility company to lobby the Legislature in support of Gov. Doyle’s task force. Calling for 25% of utilities in Wisconsin to get their energy from renewable resources, the recommendation, if passed, would drastically increase the price of electricity and neglect to wean us off of the non-renewable sources.

“This is a new low for the state of Wisconsin,” said AFP Wisconsin State Director Mark Block. “Setting aside the obvious flaws with the task force’s recommendation, it’s sheer lunacy for the government to try and force a utility company to advocate a position with which they may or may not agree. Aside from that, the task force’s recommendations will hurt Wisconsin families at a time when they need help the most.”

• The Public Service Commission, which sets the electricity rates, contained language that said the utility “should” support a proposal adopted by the Global Warming Task Force. The task force recommended that by 2025, 25% of energy utilities receive must be from renewable energy.

• The task force states in its report that as a by-product of its recommendations, we will see an 8% increase in energy costs. It also calls for massive increases in state spending on research and development, adding to the ever increasing budget deficit we are facing.

The spokesperson for the Public Service Commission could not comment on the situation as it is a pending case. However, there has already been public outcry from several elected officials, including Rep. Phil Montgomery, who said this was “unheard of.”

“Bad politics mixed with bad policy makes for a rotten deal for the people of Wisconsin,” said Block. “The PSC is acting like a bully at recess, shaking the utility down for its lunch money. What the bully doesn’t realize is that all the other kids found out they can band together. Wisconsin officials better watch out; the people won’t stand for these bad policies.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

#