GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The city of Green Bay has goals to have 100% clean energy and be carbon neutral by 2050. Now it has a more incremental plan to get there, starting with targets to reach by 2030.
The city council passed the Clean Energy Plan Tuesday night on a 9 to 2 vote after more than two hours of public input.
“It’s not a mandate,” said Alderperson Mark Steuer. “Nobody is saying you have to do this. We’re hoping they will.”
Steuer and city park planner Kaurie Mihm are already working on marketing the Clean Energy Plan as members of the city’s Sustainability Commission.
The 118-page plan covers a wide range of topics, including environmentally friendly improvements that can be made to buildings and transportation. It also lists investments the city can make, and suggestions, big and small, for private businesses and homeowners.
“Changing to LED light fixtures if you haven’t already…things like turning off the lights when you’re not using them, unplugging appliances when you’re not using them,” said Mihm of things individuals can do.
The city council passed the clean energy plan, but individual items in it — like adding solar panels to a building or buying an electric vehicle — will require additional separate votes as they come up.
“It’s going to be a lot of work over time, but I think as success happens it will be a lot easier,” said Steuer.
The city plans to leverage fuel and maintenance cost savings to fund capital expenses in the plan. It also intends to apply for state and federal funds.
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