ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Combat high gas prices: In 2006,
Harsdorf voted to stop the automatic
increases in the gas tax (2005 Act 85). This
session, budget efforts to impose a new tax
on oil revenues, which would be passed to
consumers, was narrowly defeated. Harsdorf
supported efforts to protect the state’s
transportation fund, which has been used as
a piggybank for other purposes. A 2005
Frankenstein Veto, now thankfully eliminated
by Wisconsin voters this April, was
responsible for creating a $427 million hole
in the transportation fund.
Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act
(2005 Act 141): This landmark bipartisan
legislation moves a fee into a new
independent fund to benefit energy
conservation and efficiency. As an
independent fund, the program will be more
efficient and effective in lowering costs
and developing sustainable energy resources.
The legislation also establishes a goal to
utilize at least 10% renewable energy from
electric utilities by 2015 while enhancing
state building codes for energy-using
equipment in construction projects so that
at least 10% is derived from renewable
resources by 2006 and 20% by 2011.
ACTION
Addressing our energy needs
• Tax credits for fuel efficiency: Provide
up to $1,000 in tax credits for purchasing
flex fuel vehicles or hybrids that get 40 or
more miles per gallon. Even if you do not
take advantage of the credit, you benefit
when others use less gas by reduced demand.
• Benchmarks for reaching energy
independence: Ensure that refiners sell a
certain percentage of renewable fuel; 10%
starting in 2009 and 25% starting in 2025.
This will drive research and development
into alternative fuels.
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