We, the undersigned businesses, are leaders in Wisconsin's renewable energy economy. We write today urging you to pass the American Jobs Plan legislation, which will support economic investment in the renewable energy industry and workforce. Such legislation is needed to build on the momentum driving this rapidly growing market and create a more just, clean, and prosperous economy.

While we are grateful for the immediate relief provided through the American Rescue Plan, there is still much work to be done. We expressly encourage you to advance ambitious clean energy investments needed for research and development, workforce training, and further growth of the renewable energy industry in Wisconsin.

Our businesses represent some of the fastest-growing industries in Wisconsin. We are committed to advancing the clean energy economy, building family-sustaining jobs, and expanding economic opportunities for Wisconsinites. Wisconsin's cumulative solar capacity more than doubled in the past year and is anticipated to quintuple in the next 3-5 years. Wisconsin's clean energy workforce is 76,000 strong, and solar and advanced transportation jobs proved remarkably resilient even during the economic upheaval of 2020.  

A recent report demonstrates a five-fold return on stimulus funds spent on transportation electrification initiatives as part of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. The report also finds that public investment in advanced transportation results in the creation of several million clean energy jobs, billions of dollars in tax revenue generation and cost-savings, and attracts direct private investments.

This means that public investments for advanced transportation in Wisconsin could yield a five-fold return while attracting additional private investments, create jobs, and provide a boost to Wisconsin’s economy.

The American Jobs Plan will provide the substantial investments required to achieve President Biden's 100% clean energy goal by 2035. Significant workforce growth is needed to scale up clean energy. Renewable workforce development will help rebuild our economy while reducing pollution, tackling the climate crisis, and addressing energy inequity. The success or failure of America's clean energy workforce will be determined by the scale and ambition of investments made and actions taken by this Congress.

Recent data shows that an overwhelming bipartisan majority of voters in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest support rebuilding our economy by investing in manufacturing and infrastructure. Further, Wisconsinites recognize that these investments provide a historic opportunity to build a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable economy that will bring good-paying jobs into our communities. According to a survey of Republican, Democratic, and Independent voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia conducted by the BlueGreen Alliance, 72 percent of voters support increasing clean energy production and investing in innovative clean technologies.

Now is the time to realize a bold agenda for the clean energy sector. Facing deep economic insecurity, polluted air and water, and climate disasters, millions of people across the country urgently need solutions as big as the crises we face. We stand ready to work with you to secure the comprehensive economic renewal that the American Jobs Plan can provide for our communities.

We appreciate the leadership of the White House and Congress in delivering the American Rescue Plan two months ago, which has provided much-needed aid to communities still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this down-payment in relief must be followed by bold and transformative investments in recovery. The American Jobs Plan creates a path for clean energy businesses to make these transformative investments. This is our moment to build a just, prosperous, clean economy and a livable planet for future generations.