Wisconsin has many reasons to be hopeful about alleviating climate change.
First on the list is the imminent death of coal.
Burning coal emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Like a blanket, these greenhouse gases trap heat and strengthen storms.
In 2005, Wisconsin got nearly two-thirds of its electricity from coal. In 2018, that figure dropped to half of the state’s energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. And by 2022, it had almost dropped to a third.
For the first time, Wisconsin burned more natural gas than coal in 2022. This is significant because natural gas emits about half as much carbon dioxide as coal to produce the same energy.
The last coal plant in south-central Wisconsin is scheduled to close near Portage in mid-2026. Coal plants are closing or transitioning to cleaner fuels in Manitowoc, Oak Creek, Sheboygan and Weston. Solar and wind farms are being installed in Beaver Dam, Cambridge, Darien, Grant County and Kenosha County. The Point Beach nuclear plant in Two Rivers, hydroelectric dams and biomass add to this healthier mix.
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All of this makes Governor Tony Evers’ goal of carbon-free electricity by 2050 achievable. We should celebrate—and accelerate—progress.
State leaders wisely agreed in March to dramatically increase the number of charging stations for the increasingly popular electric vehicles (EVs). Our state leaders are using $78 million in federal funds for additional public chargers along major highways.
State leaders also passed legislation making it easier for gas stations and grocery stores to operate charging stations. Kwik Trip announced last week that it will add chargers to 24 of its convenience stores across the state. Culver’s and Festival Foods could also host some.
Electric vehicle drivers will soon be within 25 miles of a charger while traveling on 85% of the state’s highway system, according to the state Department of Transportation.
That will help the growing army of electric vehicle owners in Wisconsin get where they need to go without delay. It will also encourage more drivers to purchase electric vehicles, which provide a quieter, faster ride with less maintenance and 70% lower emissions than gas-guzzling vehicles.
Utility companies like Madison Gas and Electric Co. even install electric vehicle chargers in private homes without any upfront costs. Instead, the utility adds about $20 to your monthly bill until it’s paid off. Another benefit of power companies is a lower rate for electricity at night. This encourages EV owners to plug in when power demand is low.
Wisconsin consumes nearly six times more energy than it produces, according to the EIA. Burning less coal and buying more electric vehicles will help change the situation.
Sales of electric vehicles grew 47% last year in the US, despite high interest rates. Now they claim 7% of the market. Sales slowed in the first quarter of this year. But Bloomberg Business News predicts sales will rise from a record 1.2 million last year to 1.9 million this year, representing 13% of new vehicle purchases.
Electric vehicles have nearly doubled over the past two years in Wisconsin, with 23,314 registered as of May 1, according to the DOT. Hybrids have gone from 105,000 in 2022 to 132,000 today.
President Joe Biden is imposing tariffs on cheap electric vehicles made in China. That could slow the decline in prices. Biden maintains that he will protect against unfair competition from brands subsidized by China. We’ll see.
Regardless of the impact, many electric vehicles are affordable for the average consumer. The Nissan Leaf and Mini Cooper SE Hardtop cost around $30,000 with a range of 115 to 210 miles. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model 3, and Volkswagen ID.4 cost around $40,000 and have a range of 200 to 340 miles.
That doesn’t include thousands of dollars in federal tax credits. It also doesn’t count nearly $1,000 in annual savings on gas.
Goodbye to coal. Cheaper, cleaner Wisconsin-based energy sources will power our future.
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