WEI's accomplishments in 2023 reflect its commitment to sustainable business practices, green building, environmental advocacy, and collaboration towards a more regenerative and just future.
WEI joined the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) for a productive trip to Washington DC including a White House meeting with Joshua Peck, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Clean Energy Innovation on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) implementation plus visits to Capitol Hill with Regenerate America to advocate for a more regenerative and just Farm Bill.
WEI joined the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) to partner with WisPolitics.com & WisBusiness.com on a Climate & Energy-related luncheon event in Milwaukee. The clean energy shift is underway: How will the Inflation Reduction Act accelerate the transition? Included experts in clean energy and future technology to highlight how Wisconsin and its businesses and employees can maximize new federal funding.
WEI Co-founder & Director John Imes presented at the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters launch and briefing of the Climate Fast Forward Action Plan. This plan, informed by nearly 400 experts and engaged leaders from across the state and backgrounds, outlines 36 priority climate actions for Wisconsin that are both achievable and time-based. WisBusiness.com highlighted John’s presentation at the event:
WEI collaborated with Sarah Zarling, an organizer, researcher, presenter in environmental justice, and Founder of Citizens Acting for Rail Safety in Watertown, WI. Sarah presented “Stories from The Frontlines: Living with Fossil Fuels and Petrochemicals” at the 32nd annual Midwest Renewable Energy Fair and published an op-ed that appeared in the Wisconsin Examiner, The Cap Times, and other media sources.
Political obstruction is climate destruction - WEI’s latest column warns that as lawmakers in Congress and state legislatures obstruct even the most basic environmental protections, "job-killing climate catastrophe looms larger every day.” Appeared in the Wisconsin Examiner, The Capital Times, Wisconsin State Journal, WisPolitics.com, Urban Milwaukee, and other media sources.
Take the High Road to Advance Good Jobs, Equity and Clean Energy! WEI attended a great Clean Energy Jobs & Workforce Accelerator workshop in Milwaukee featuring Mayor Cavalier Johnson plus representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as clean energy coalitions from around the country. Included site visits to Ingeteam - USA, Laborers Local Union 113 LIUNA and WRTP / BIG STEP to learn about High Road training partnerships in the manufacturing and construction sectors of the clean energy economy.
WEI participated in ASBN’s TAKE ACTION! Campaign in telling the EPA that cutting climate pollution is both popular with the public and critical to the success of the United States economy.
Wisconsin EV State Policy Bootcamp! WEI attended a great EV State Policy event at UW Fluno Center that covered the wide-ranging benefits of electric vehicles, from cars to school and transit buses to fleets. Included state policy opportunities to accelerate the transition for municipalities, utilities, and private industry.
Wisconsin Green Built Gold Standard! The Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) approved WEI's proposed WI Green Built Gold Standard as eligible for additional sustainability scoring points for projects in 2023-2024. Certifying multifamily projects to the new Green Built Gold Standard means achieving even greater energy efficiency and sustainability improvements in affordable housing throughout Wisconsin. In 2023, WEI certified over 2,500 Green Built Homes and multifamily affordable housing units statewide.
WEI participated in the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW) Annual Summit held at the Garver Feed Mill in Madison. CECW advocates for clean energy and climate policies that accelerate economic development, increase Wisconsin’s energy independence, and achieve carbon-free by 2050. Great networking and agenda items including presentations and working group report-outs.
Driving Collaboration and Inclusion for a Sustainable Future -- WEI participated in a great Climate Justice and Community Resilience Summit, hosted by the Wisconsin Academy and the American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, as we work together to tackle the urgent challenges of the climate emergency.
As a sponsor and exhibitor at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Annual Conference WEI highlighted the Climate Action Campaign’s “Climate Wins Here” messaging at the premier sustainability gathering in the Midwest that brings together businesses, thought leaders, innovators, and experts to share successes and challenges in advancing sustainability.
Badger Volunteers! Many thanks to the Morgridge Center for Public Service Badger Volunteers for their great work with WEI this semester including shoreland best practices, visits to green infrastructure sites, walking the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Nature and History Trail, Green Built project certification site visits, and learning opportunities at Monroe Street Madison Bayview Foundation Inc. Garver Feed Mill and Lake Wingra with Wingra Boats plus sustainability in the Village of Shorewood Hills!
WEI social media reached over 116,000 in 2023 with posts resulting in over 12,000 link clicks, page visits and post engagements. Check out WEI’s Facebook page and be sure to "Like" and leave comments on our social media to let us know how we're doing.