AR29: Resolution Text

LRB-4680/1

SRM:nwn:md

2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Assembly RESOLUTION 29

April 22, 2010 - Introduced by Representatives Friske, Molepske Jr., Meyer, Mursau, M. Williams, Schneider and Vruwink. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AR29,1,1 Relating to: biofuels education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

AR29,1,4 Whereas, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) is located between two significant bodies of water, the Wisconsin River and the Fox River, supplying Wisconsin's papermakers; and

AR29,1,6 Whereas, UWSP is surrounded by nutrient-rich soil, including an abundant supply of Wisconsin's State Soil, "Antigo Silt Loam"; and

AR29,1,9 Whereas, UWSP is centrally located to agricultural and forested research property in Wisconsin at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, Schmeeckle Reserve, and Treehaven; and

AR29,1,11 Whereas, UWSP has provided higher education opportunities to Wisconsin, United States, and international students since 1894; and

AR29,1,15 Whereas, UWSP's College of Natural Resources is the nation's largest and premier undergraduate institution for natural resources and environmental management, tracing its history to 1946 when it established the nation's first conservation education major; and

AR29,2,3 Whereas, UWSP's College of Natural Resources emphasizes hands-on field training and a curriculum exposing students to the disciplines of forestry, soils, water resources, wildlife, and human dimensions of natural resource management; and

AR29,2,7 Whereas, UWSP's paper science and engineering program is preparing students for successful technical careers in the pulp, paper, and allied industries with instruction, undergraduate research opportunities, industrial internships, and involvement in professional organizations; and

AR29,2,10 Whereas, UWSP provides high-quality outreach education opportunities for professionals in the pulp, paper, and allied industries through continuing development courses; and

AR29,2,12 Whereas, UWSP is the only university in the nation with a paper-making machine on its campus; and

AR29,2,15 Whereas, Wisconsin agriculture creates $51 billion of economic activity on over 76,000 farms and 15.2 million acres of land, feeding the world and creating over 420,000 Wisconsin jobs; and

AR29,2,18 Whereas, Wisconsin timber production creates over $23 billion of economic activity, more than 17 percent of Wisconsin's total economic output, on over 16 million acres of forests covering 46 percent of Wisconsin; and

AR29,2,21 Whereas, Wisconsin papermaking creates 5.3 million tons of paper annually and employs nearly 53,000 people in more than 20 paper companies, making Wisconsin the number one paper-producing state in the nation; and

AR29,2,24 Whereas, Wisconsin's forest products industry directly employs over 100,000 people with good-paying jobs, while another 200,000 jobs are created in support of this employment sector; and

AR29,3,3 Whereas, both agriculture and forestry generate significant bio-waste that can be sustainably harvested and refined and used locally to meet the growing demand for domestically generated and consumed biofuels; and

AR29,3,7 Whereas, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council, and American Tree Farm System certifications have been implemented on timberlands throughout Wisconsin demonstrating sustainable management on Wisconsin timberlands; and

AR29,3,10 Whereas, the state of Wisconsin in general and the Council on Forestry in particular are developing woody biomass harvesting guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of biofuel development; and

AR29,3,12 Whereas, the UWSP and the University of Wisconsin System have authority to authorize major degree program development studies and implementations; and

AR29,3,16 Whereas, multiple Wisconsin paper mills and agricultural businesses are exploring and implementing new technology to produce cellulosic and third generation biofuels derived from current paper mill waste in an effort to remain competitive; and

AR29,3,18 Whereas, future entrepreneurs may one day discover further opportunities to sustainably derive energy from currently unknown technologies; and

AR29,3,21 Whereas, the state of Wisconsin provided funding to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point through the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology to create a biofuels minor degree program; now, therefore, be it

AR29,3,24 Resolved by the assembly, That the Wisconsin assembly congratulates and applauds UWSP's effort to bolster its papermaking program and the papermaking industry in Wisconsin by creating a biofuels minor degree program; and, be it further

AR29,4,2 Resolved, That the assembly strongly encourages UWSP to prioritize the success of its biofuels minor; and, be it further

AR29,4,5 Resolved, That the assembly strongly encourages UWSP to use its experience implementing its biofuels minor to create a biofuels major degree program; and, be it further

AR29,4,7 Resolved, That the assembly strongly encourages the UW System to partner with UWSP to create the first biofuels major in a United States university.

AR29,4,8 (End)