Midwest Environmental Advocates

Blueprint for Wisconsin's Green Economy On January 13, 2008, at the Wisconsin State Capitol, Midwest Environmental Advocates and broad new coalition of leaders in government, labor and environmental organizations unveiled a “Blueprint for Wisconsin’s Green Economy.” The Blueprint provides a vision and principles for how the federal economic recovery money should be used, and over $2 billion in examples of immediate, job-creating projects that increase our energy independence, build public transit systems, provide clean water, and rebuild crumbling urban infrastructure. The proposals as a whole would create an estimated 30,000 jobs in Wisconsin. The Blueprint provides an answer to Wisconsin's recent plant-closing and job loss difficulties by showing how investing economic recovery money in this way can both remedy the immediate economic crisis, and build the basis for a high wage, environmentally sustainable, 21st Century Wisconsin economy. The coalition identified key project areas that could increase the number of green jobs in Wisconsin: Building our energy independence through renewable energy Retrofitting existing homes, businesses, and government buildings to make them energy efficient Building public transit infrastructure to efficiently connect people to jobs Renovating crumbling urban infrastructure Fixing leaking sewage pipes and installing best practices to reduce storm water run-off. If implemented the Blueprint will help reinvigorate Wisconsin's economy and put it on the right path for the future. Infrastructure developments such as mass transit will provide immediate jobs while enabling future high wage job growth. Other benefits, such as employing workers to clean up Wisconsin's polluted waterways will also provide immediate benefits in job creation and long term gains both environmentally and as an investment in a stable, clean water supply. The Blueprint provides a clear guideline for how Wisconsin's federal stimulus money can be used not only to heal immediate wounds, but to set the course for a green and prosperous economy for the 21st century. Read the Blueprint here. Read the press release here.	Resources
	Blueprint for Wisconsin's Green Economy Letter to the Obama Administration and Congress from Coalition Re: Blueprint for Wisconsin's Green Economy January 13, 2009 Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment National Conference of State Legislatures Brown and Caldwell's Spotlight on: Infrastructure Funding Letter to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on Transit and the Economic Stimulus
	Media
	Advocates Say That Public Transportation Will Bring the Most ‘Bang’ for the Economic Stimulus Buck Press Release May 21, 2009 Bailout for Green Jobs? WCLO's Stan Milam Show - podcast January 15, 2009 Wisconsin Road Builders Reject Coalition Road Plan Daily Reporter January 15, 2009 A Push for "Green" Stimulus Projects Wisconsin Radio Network January 14, 2009 Coalition for Wisconsin's Green Economy Press Release January 13, 2009 Coalition Urges "Green Economy" Infrastructure Spending WisPolitics Budget Blog January 13, 2009 Wisconsin Coalition Pushes for "Green" Jobs The Capital Times January 13, 2009 Coalition Urges a Green Economic Recovery Plan Wisconsin State Journal January, 13 2009 Bold New Plans Focus on Wisconsin's Economic Future Biz Times January 13, 2009 Coalition Pushes Green Technology Rockford Register Star January 13, 2009 Coalition Pushes Green Technology in Stimulus Chicago Tribune January 13, 2009 News Conference: Coalition for Wisconsin's Green Economy Wisconsin Eye January 13, 2009 Push to Use Stimulus Funding For Green Technology KWOWTV January 13, 2009 Coalition Pushes Green Technology in Stimulus WISC Channel 3 - Madison TV January 13, 2009 Coalition Calls for Federal Stimulus Dollars To Invest in Wisconsin's Green Economy Press Release December 12, 2008