Energy

Hyperscale data centers are creating significant demand for energy, and Wisconsin must act immediately to put strong protections in place for workers, our environment – especially our water, local control and transparency, and protections for ratepayers. I’ve sponsored legislation to create meaningful guardrails so that local communities are not left to fend for themselves against the richest, most powerful companies in the history of the world. Wisconsinites shouldn’t be subsidizing data centers – they need to pay their own way, and to pay enhanced rates for the infrastructure and energy they use.

Lower energy costs by appointing PSC commissioners who will stand up for consumers, not act as rubber stamps for utility companies, and who will prioritize conservation/efficiency and wind and solar generation, which are cheaper than fossil fuels

Expand the PSC’s staff so that they have the capacity to actually vet and challenge rate hikes and certificates, while improving regulatory functions for stakeholders

Increase the budget of the Citizens Utility Board so that ratepayers have a meaningful advocate

Encourage and prioritize the development of renewable energy production, by making it easier and faster to build solar, wind, and geothermal energy – enabling us to bring coal fired power plants offline more quickly

Expand access to renewable power and solar energy for renters, low-income households, farmers, and homeowners who cannot install rooftop solar because of cost, shading, roof condition, or property restrictions.

Increase energy independence and reduce strain on transmission systems by diversifying power generation, encouraging local generation closer to where power is needed, and reducing reliance on imported fuels or out-of-state power purchases

Make Wisconsin a conservation leader – expand the efficiency program Focus on Energy, and create a commercial and industrial counterpart to make reducing energy consumption easy and affordable for businesses, factories, farmers, and other non-residential users

Conservation, efficiency, and managing demand are key to keeping utility rates down. I’ll increase investment in Wisconsin’s successful Focus on Energy program and other conservation/energy reduction measures, and create a commercial and industrial counterpart – because the cheapest kilowatt is the one we never use. Wisconsin has fallen far behind on efficiency upgrades that save money and energy, and all of us are paying higher energy costs as a result.

Technology has enormous potential to deliver better services more equitably, but it also has potential risks and downsides. Like all tools or products, technology needs to be designed safely and regulated to protect consumers – especially kids – from harm. Right now, however, big tech companies are given free reign to endlessly chase profits by harming children as their brains are developing, with no guardrails. As a tech entrepreneur and a skeptic of Big Tech, I understand the opportunities and challenges that AI and other rapidly developing technologies are creating for policymakers and our society at large.

The transition to clean energy is not just a challenge but an opportunity for Wisconsin. We can leverage our expertise and strengths as a state to make Wisconsin a leader in this high growth sector. Good paying jobs, capital investment, and tax revenue can follow from Wisconsin’s role in researching, designing, and manufacturing components of clean tech, from solar glass to turbine components to nuclear fusion.

Increase renewable energy targets for utilities so we can target Wisconsin being 100% powered by clean energy by 2050, and encourage pricing that supports rather than punishes clean energy

Invest in Wisconsin’s burgeoning clean tech sectors, including the design and development of advanced battery technology, fusion energy, sensors and controls, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing

Create incentives and partnerships to make Wisconsin the technological center of clean energy and research

Require strong protections for workers and consumers on energy projects, making sure that well-trained and fairly compensated workers are building and maintaining our energy infrastructure, and ensuring that developers meet strong safety standards

Clean energy is a win for workers, families, and our planet. Wisconsin can lead the fight against climate change while creating good-paying union jobs and building an economy that works for everyone.