Ecomunicipality.com

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's Office of Energy Independence has received a good deal of support from folks in Polk County. Created by Governor Doyle on April 5, 2007 with the mission to advance energy independence in the State of Wisconsin, the goals of the OEI include:

1. Generating 25% of our state's electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025.
2. Capturing 10% of the emerging bioindustry and renewable energy market by 2030.
3. Leading the nation in groundbreaking research that will make renewable energy more affordable and will create good paying Wisconsin jobs.

Last February the Polk County Renewable Energy Committee invited OEI representatives to meet with local elected officials at the Paradise Landing restaurant in Balsam Lake. Secretary of Agriculture Rod Nilsestuen joined in addressing the large group that came to learn how state and local governments might work together to lessen our dependence on energy sources from outside Wisconsin.

The Village of Osceola was the first municipality in the state to adopt a resolution partnering with the state in pursuit of the 25 X 25 goals. Shortly thereafter, Polk County became the first county to do the same. Both those units of government are now hoping to secure grant funding from OEI to develop plans that will help them move toward energy independence.