2005 Senate Joint Resolution 28
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming an annual Renewable Energy Awareness Week (the week of the summer solstice) and an annual Renewable Energy Awareness Day (June 21).
Whereas, nationally, the cost of energy is constantly increasing, our energy needs are growing faster than our domestic sources are able to provide, demand for electricity has grown more than 17 percent in the past decade, and we continue to import more than one-half of our domestic oil supply; and
Whereas, over the past 3 years, America's energy consumption has increased by roughly 4 percent, while domestic energy production has decreased by roughly 1 percent; and
Whereas, increasingly, our energy supply is coming from other countries; and
Whereas, to meet our energy needs and strengthen our national security, we must become less dependent on foreign oil; and
Whereas, our nation's present level of dependence on foreign sources of energy negatively impacts the nation's trade balance; and
Whereas, development of renewable energy sources has a positive effect on our nation's balance of trade; and
Whereas, the President's agenda includes an energy bill which targets four important objectives, namely encouraging the use of technology to improve conservation, encouraging more production at home in environmentally sensitive ways, diversifying our energy supply by developing alternative sources of energy, and finding better, more reliable ways to deliver energy to consumers; and
Whereas, in Wisconsin, sun, wind, water, and forests are plentiful and can be harnessed to supply energy; and
Whereas, Wisconsin is recognized as a leading state for its protection of our nation's precious natural resources; and
Whereas, in Wisconsin, 16 million acres out of 32 million acres are covered with woodland; and
Whereas, wood and switchgrass are renewable resources and can be used for fuel and energy; and
Whereas, harvesting wood for fuel and energy will help Wisconsin landowners achieve sustainable forestry goals; and
Whereas, technology to convert farm waste, also in plentiful supply in Wisconsin, into energy is being developed; and
Whereas, Wisconsin's vast farmlands can grow crops, such as soybeans, which can be converted into biodiesel to fuel our nation's vehicles; and
Whereas, our current dependence upon petroleum cannot continue indefinitely, because oil is not a limitless supply, and therefore we must develop renewable sources of energy to provide an energy-secure future for generations to come; and
Whereas, ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, biogas, solar, geothermal, and photovoltaic are all natural renewable resources important to Wisconsin and its future; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature encourages the diversification of our energy supply through the development of alternative sources of energy; and, be it further
Resolved, That the week of the summer solstice each year be designated as Renewable Energy Week and June 21 (the summer solstice) each year be designated as Renewable Energy Day.
