In April of 2007, Governor Jim Doyle created the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence (OEI) to lead the state’s effort to advance clean energy and bioproducts. Wisconsin’s goal is to create 25% of the electric power and transportation fuels used in the state from clean renewable resources by the year 2025. The state also strives to become the national leader in research to make alternative energy affordable and to capture 10% of the emerging bio-industry and renewable energy market by 2030. To learn more about the OEI, click here

The OEI also publishes energy statistics for the state of Wisconsin here

From the 2007 report we can see that 4.4% of energy used in Wisconsin came from renewables in 2007. Germany’s consumption of renewable energy in comparison was 14% in 2007. That’s almost a 10% difference. But when we realize that in 2000, Germany only saw 6.3% of their energy use come from renewables, we realize that our goal of 25% by 2025 seems attainable, even if it is amitious. It really is only a 1.14% increase per year.

And when we consider reducing our energy usage through conservation, 1.14% per year suddenly seems highly attainable. After call, Germany’s goal and forecast was 12% by 2010. Let us be inspired and do our part.