Proposed state legislation puts Wisconsin school districts in line for federal grants to develop wind energy. There's $500 million available to schools, through the federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds program, and state Representative Scott Suder says fourteen Wisconsin districts have recieved approval to participate. But first, they need to be authorized under state law, to own and construct wind turbines. Suder says the zero interest federal program could be a real benefit to many of Wisconsin's financially hard pressed districts
The bill from Suder and state Senator Bob Jauch is modeled after a provison in Govermor Jim Doyle's budget that was not part of the final compromise. The two are hopeful that the bill can get through both houses of the legislature and on to the governor's desk next year. The districts would be limited to generating no more than five megawatts of electric power.