As part of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's effort to reduce the state's reliance on energy, four University of Wisconsin System schools will be part of an "off-the-grid" pilot program to become energy independent by 2012.
The four universities chosen will work with the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Division of State Facilities to replace current power suppliers with renewable resources, such as wind power, solar power and fuel cells.
Matt Canter, a spokesperson for Doyle, said UW campuses in Green Bay, Oshkosh, River Falls and Stevens Point will participate in the program.
"UW campuses were given an opportunity to apply for this challenge," he said. "The challenge would be for the universities to move 'off the grid' over the next five years."
Canter said this initiative is part of Doyle's "Declaration of Energy Independence," a program the governor launched in July.
"We're working toward the goal of achieving 25 percent of biofuel and power from renewable resources by 2025," Canter said.
In an effort to make Wisconsin a leader in energy efficiency research, Doyle is also hoping to bring 10 percent of the share of American renewable energy sources to the state by 2030.
Doyle's plan would save 260,000 tons of coal and 676,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over a time span of 10 years, according to the governor's office.
With this year's gubernatorial race approaching, Doyle's opponent, U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis., says he disagrees with the way Doyle has handled the state's energy reliance.
"Doyle has raided over $100 million from the state conservation fund — money that was supposed to go toward keeping energy costs down in Wisconsin," Green spokesperson Luke Punzenberger said.
Punzenberger pointed to Green's record, calling him a "champion" in promoting renewable fuels. According to Punzenberger, Green voted to provide tax credits for the purchase of hybrid vehicles and helped create tax incentives for energy-efficient home improvements. He also supported the first national renewable fuels standard to set minimum requirements for renewable energy use, Punzenberger said.
UW-Madison, like UW-Milwaukee, was not selected because the university relies too much on its city's energy grid.
"Although there's a lot of similar research at Madison, and it's the most important research institution in the world, they're too connected to the grid of Madison," Canter said.
The campuses selected are "set away" from their respective cities, Canter added, lending themselves well to the program.
"[UW-Green Bay], for example, is 20 miles out of the city," he said. "It's its own entity and blends itself much better [with the initiative]."
Earlier this week, Doyle announced a $450 million initiative to invest in businesses that are developing technologies to help Wisconsin become less dependent on nonrenewable energy. His office said this plan would create 17,000 new jobs and include financial incentives for companies that create new renewable-energy technologies.