MILWAUKEE – The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin congratulates David Crowley on his election as Wisconsin’s next governor. Crowley campaigned on a promise to “cut bills, cut red tape, [and] make the grid work for families.”

The coalition looks forward to working with Gov.-elect Crowley and his administration to deliver on his promises, starting with lowering energy bills. As Gov.-elect Crowley prepares his first executive actions, state budget proposals and appointments to the Public Service Commission and other agencies, the coalition urges him to:

• Advance a Clean Electricity Standard that moves Wisconsin toward the cheaper clean energy future he has championed

• Require transparent, long-term utility integrated resource planning that weighs cheaper options like virtual power plants before approving costly new gas plants

• Enact data center protections that require large users to pay the full cost of grid upgrades they drive, giving rural and urban communities a meaningful voice in where data centers are built and ensuring enforceable community benefits and environmental safeguards

• Invest in healthy homes and buildings, including doubling funding for Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, which an analysis by Evergreen Action and Wisconsin Conservation Voters found could save Wisconsin households $2.1 billion by 2040

Coalition members and partners released the following statements today:

Abby Novinska Lois, Executive Director, Healthy Climate Wisconsin

“Data centers and energy bills were central issues in this election, and Wisconsinites made it clear at the polls that they want strong protections. We are ready to help Gov.-elect Crowley take immediate action to put common sense safeguards in place on data centers and utilities. Wisconsin families are demanding a clean energy future where every kid can grow up healthy.”

For an interview with Abby Novinska Lois, contact: abby@healthyclimatewisconsin.org, 608-228-2893

Alex Beld, Communications Director, RENEW Wisconsin

“Now that the dust has settled on this year’s election cycle, it’s time to get to work and help Gov.-elect Crowley deliver on the promises made on the campaign trail. This means taking direct climate action that creates jobs, ensuring any data centers built are powered by renewables, and expanding clean energy development to protect Wisconsinites from high energy prices. Crowley laid out this vision for our future, and we are ready to help make it happen.”

For an interview with Alex Beld, contact: abeld@renewwisconsin.org, 608-255-4044, ext. 103

Antonio Butts, Executive Director, Walnut Way Conservation Corp.

“Gov.-elect Crowley knows what high energy bills do to Milwaukee families. Our ask is simple: lower bills, healthier homes and clean energy that communities own, not just pay for. Lindsay Heights is ready to show how it's done.”

For an interview with Antonio Butts, contact: antonio@walnutway.org, 414-264-2326

Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Clean Wisconsin

“Clean Wisconsin is excited to work with Gov.-elect Crowley to address climate change, lower utility bills and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Wisconsin. These are critical issues for families across our state, and it will take urgent, comprehensive legislation to address them. We will work tirelessly with the governor and legislature to ensure Wisconsin communities are protected.”

For an interview with Erik Kanter, contact: abarrilleaux@cleanwisconsin.org

Jadine Sonoda, Campaign Coordinator, Sierra Club Wisconsin

"We're ready to hit the ground running and work with Gov.-elect Crowley to deliver on the demands of Wisconsinites – including powering our electric sector with cheaper, cleaner energy that benefits us and our communities, not Big Tech. There's no time to wait with so many feeling the burden of fossil fuels right now. Not only do our communities rely on changing the status quo, but so do our climate, air, lands and waters."

For an interview with Jadine Sonoda, contact: jadine.sonoda@sierraclub.org

John Imes, Co-Founder & Director, Wisconsin Environmental Initiative

“Wisconsin doesn’t have to choose between economic growth, reliable electricity and affordable energy. We can deliver all three, but we need to plan smarter. Gov.-elect Crowley has an opportunity to put affordability at the center of Wisconsin’s energy future by requiring utilities to plan comprehensively before spending billions, ensuring large data centers pay the costs they create, and accelerating investments in clean energy, efficiency and healthier homes. Done right, we can lower energy bills, create good Wisconsin jobs and strengthen our economy. The guiding principle should be simple: Plan first. Spend second. Put Wisconsin families and businesses first.”

For an interview with John Imes, contact: jimesother@gmail.com, 608-712-7898

Kat Klawes, Deputy Director, 350 Wisconsin

“Wisconsin families are already paying too much for energy while utilities seek approval for costly methane gas plants and data centers put more demand on the grid. Gov.-elect Crowley campaigned on lowering bills. He can deliver by appointing public service commissioners who put ratepayers first, investing in renewable energy that can lower costs and cut climate pollution, and making data centers pay the full cost of the energy and grid upgrades they need. We look forward to working with Gov.-elect Crowley to make energy more affordable for Wisconsin families and move our state toward renewable energy.”

For an interview with Kat Klawes, contact: kat.klawes@350wisconsin.org, 920-634-8981

Lauren Reeg, Midwest Advocate, Evergreen Action

“Wisconsin voters sent a clear mandate: tackle the energy affordability crisis and get the data center boom under control. David Crowley understood the moment and ran on it, putting forward ambitious plans to cut energy costs, make Big Tech pay its own way, and build the clean energy that keeps the lights on and bills down. On Tuesday, voters didn’t just choose a candidate. They chose a new direction for how Wisconsin powers its future, where affordability comes first and working families aren’t an afterthought.”

For an interview with Lauren Reeg, contact: emily@evergreenaction.com

Peter Drummond, Executive Director, Forward Together Wisconsin

“Gov.-elect Crowley knows that we can create good-paying union jobs, help families save money on their utility bills, reduce carbon emissions, and make our communities more resilient all at the same time. We look forward to working with him and the legislature to enact a strong pro-climate agenda.”

For an interview with Peter Drummond, contact: peter@forwardtogetherwi.org