Wisconsin Democrats introduce bills to address climate change - WKOW

Wisconsin Democrats introduce bills to address climate change | News | wkow.com
The package includes a total of 20 bills introducing legislation that would allocate nearly 10 million dollars towards renewable energy efficiency projects and work with the Department of Workforce Development to create a green jobs training program. Lawmakers also emphasized a need to address environmental disparities in low-income, urban, and rural communities, taking measures to develop energy-efficient infrastructure to lower energy costs and waste.

MADISON (WKOW) -- Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin introduced a package of bills last week to increase job opportunities in environmental sustainability, climate change and energy efficiency across vulnerable communities.

If passed, legislation from that package would establish a Climate Corps program to provide employment training and career pathways in climate resiliency and restoring natural lands.

The package includes a total of 20 bills that would allocate nearly $10 million toward renewable energy efficiency projects and work with the Department of Workforce Development to create a green jobs training program.

Lawmakers also emphasized a need to address environmental disparities in low-income, urban and rural communities, taking measures to develop energy-efficient infrastructure to lower energy costs and waste.

"Climate change is real. It is affecting folks all across the state of Wisconsin, regardless of where it is that they live, and what their background is, and it's vitally important that as state lawmakers that we take seriously," said Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison).

The legislation would also increase funding for the Department of Natural Resources' Urban Forestry Program for planting trees to address "urban heat islands" in the state's metropolitan areas.

"Wisconsin has a deep history of preserving and protecting our natural spaces, our outdoor spaces and our waterways are a crucial part of our heritage, in our way of life, we must continue to honor that legacy, not only for our past, but for our present and our future," Representative Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee) said.

Representative Madison said the package would include an impact study to receive public comments on how these projects affect their communities.

The Senate and Assembly will return for the legislative session in January. Senator Agard says she's hopeful the bills will make it before a committee in time to be voted on next year. They are still circulating for co-sponsorship at this time.