Energy and the Apollo Alliance in Wisconsin

Posted by Bill Holland
Apollo Alliance's Midwest Field Director

On Monday I was able to meet up with the Green Machines Tour as they rolled through Madison, WI. In my role covering the Midwest for the Apollo Alliance, I hear the same stories the Tour is promoting. Stories about huge opportunities to invest locally, develop regional solutions and position the Midwest as a leader in emerging energy technologies. And on the flip side, stories of good jobs moving overseas, an aging workforce and infrastructure and increasing pressure on small towns and family farms.

The Apollo Alliance was launched in 2003 as an initiative to create good jobs in new energy technologies. Inspired by President Kennedy’s original Apollo mission, we believe a massive program to end America’s dependence on foreign oil could unite American’s of all stripes and create millions of jobs while we’re at it. Our plan calls for a federal investment of $30 billion a year for 10 years to develop and commercialize technologies leading to energy independence.  Sure it’s a big plan. But it’s a big problem too. And whether it’s the Space Program, our national railway system or the Marshall plan that rebuilt Europe, America is at its best when we think big.

While in Madison we were able to meet and talk with some of the leaders helping push local leaders to understand the opportunities “Green Machines” present to Wisconsin and the Midwest.

First we stopped off at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and met Gary Radloff and Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. Both talked about the impact biofuels could have on the dairy state. Both also mentioned the opportunity this presents for Wisconsin’s traditional manufacturing base. In fact, we released a report last year identifying over 1200 Wisconsin companies currently making components similar to those used in renewable energy systems.

After that we headed off to Wisconsin’s beautiful Capitol for a legislative briefing on energy reserves and the impact our current reliance on fossil fuel poses for the U.S. In attendance were numerous local NGO leaders, concerned citizens and legislative leaders. Sen. Rob Cowles (R) who helped lead efforts to pass Act 141, the state Energy Plan, was particularly concerned about the impact global warming could have on the state’s economy. With 2006 the hottest year on record for the U.S. and 5 of the 10 hottest years on record globally all coming since 1998, global warming is emerging as a potential bi-partisan concern.

Later that day we headed over to see Joel Rogers, co-founder of Apollo and a Professor of Law,  Political Science and Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joel is widely credited with theorizing the “High Road” model of economic development where our economy and public officials seek to create economies that work with good wages, family supporting benefits and environmental sustainability rather than a massive race to the bottom in wages and social standards.

That’s what drives his work with Apollo, a notion that new energy technologies can create the sorts of jobs our economy is failing to create. And one important point Joel made during our conversation is that the failure to develop solutions to our foreign energy dependence is essentially political not technical. This Tour is highlighting the sorts of existing technologies that will help end our foreign oil dependence. However it’s going to take real leadership from our elected officials (and a loud clamour from all Americans) to tackle these huge issues. After hearing the State of the Union , let’s make sure we’re holding our leaders accountable for offering real solutions to our energy dependence. It’s time we think big again.