Southwest Wisconsin is seeing a surge in clean energy, emerging as a hotbed for large-scale renewable projects proponents said are economically benefiting the community.
About 10% of Wisconsin's electricity is from renewable sources. The industry employs about 6,500 people and invests $15.5 million a year in property, state and local taxes, and more than $15 million annually in land lease payments.
Kaden Crapp, field representative for the Wisconsin Land and Liberty Coalition, said along with the economic benefits, clean energy has the potential to provide the state with autonomy.
"One of the biggest benefits that including these renewable energies into the state grid can bring is that we can start becoming a net exporter," Crapp explained. "By being able to create our own Wisconsin-grown energy and be able to distribute it to other states as well."