Jauch questions renewable energy bill

MADISON (WPR) Two key Democratic Senators signaled Wednesday (2/10) that they want some changes to a major renewable energy bill being considered in the state legislature.  Senators Jeff Plale of South Milwaukee and Bob Jauch of Poplar say they're concerned about a provision that would determine what kind of oil gets used in Wisconsin.

Both Plale and Jauch spoke out against a provision known as a low carbon fuel standard.  The standard is just one element of the bill Democrats call the "Clean Energy Jobs Act."  It would restrict the use of higher carbon oils like those found in the oil sands of Canada.

Sen. Plale says that bothers him because it would mean the state would have to buy more oil from places like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.  And he says it would cost his district jobs. If the state goes with oil sands, the $40 million shovels that help process the sand are built in his district at either Bucyrus or Harnischfeger.

Sen. Jauch's concerns are also local.  His district includes Murphy Oil, which refines and sells the crude it buys from across the border in Canada.  Jauch told members of Gov. Jim Doyle's administration that they need to drop this plan to focus on the rest of the renewable energy bill. He says the oil requirements are a huge anchor on the bill, which don’t allow the legislature to focus on other good parts of the bill.

Jauch and Plale sit on the committee that's considering this plan, and their votes will likely be necessary to pass it.  An Assembly panel is also considering the proposal.  The governor has called it one of his top priorities before he leaves office, and said he's still confident the plan will pass this legislative session.

--

Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org