Yes, that’s right! Last March, the Madison Common Council passed a resolution to convert to 100% renewable energy. What a bold pledge to make! Can it even be done? So, the Perpetual Notion Machine invited Michael Vickerman on the program as our guest. Michael is the Program and Policy Director at ReNew Wisconsin, and is a member of the Sustainable Madison Committee, which has already made changes and recommendations in energy use. In the conversation with PNM’s Dennis Shaffer, Michael says an energy conversion consultant has been hired, and has just started working this week. He was instrumental in getting Austin, Texas, a much bigger city than Madison, to rely on 100% renewable. By early next year, a potential outline should be available, that provides details on multiple planning recommendations. Initially, the renewable conversion will be limited to only city government. That includes buildings and transportation, which will involve all police and firefighter’s fleet of vehicles. But ultimately, the hope is for ALL of Madison, commercial and residential, to go renewable.
For more information about renewable energy consider attending an Energy Fair. One was held in Custer, WI, last month, but another one will be held in St. Paul, MN, in September. The fairs are sponsored by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
