A coalition of 41 business groups, including 13 local chambers of commerce, is urging the Legislature to reject Gov. Jim Doyle's Clean Energy Jobs Act.
The group refers to the proposed legislation as a "global warming bill."
"It is increasingly clear that the costs associated with this legislation will be enormous, and the benefits will be nominal," the groups wrote in a memo to lawmakers.
The coalition noted that efforts to "scale back" the bill would still keep the most expensive and economically harmful proposals in the bill. The memo specifically stated "the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency surtaxes will be tremendously expensive, and will result in double-digit increases for Wisconsin utility customers."
The bill would increase energy taxes, place limits on low-carbon fuel, force 25 percent of electricity to be provided by renewable resources, impose California vehicle emission standards, and require other costly measures.
"Clearly the business community is united in opposing this bill," said Scott Manley, director of environmental policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). "Businesses know that higher taxes and higher energy prices are a recipe for losing jobs, not creating them."
Last month, WMC presented lawmakers with more than 3,000 signatures from business executives and others calling for defeat of the bill.
The organizations signing on to the memo against the bill include the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Racine Are Manufactures & Commerce, the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as several statewide organizations such as the Independent Business Association, the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
To view a webcast video about Doyle's defense of the bill and several Wisconsin company executives who are supporting the bill, click here.
To read a previous Milwaukee Biz Blog about how Wisconsin's business community is divided about the bill, click here.
Business groups denounce Clean Energy Jobs Act
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