Join Wisconsin Clean Cities at our Annual Stakeholder Meeting & Awards this Thursday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2021 at the City of Madison Fleet Service Nakoosa Trail Fleet Facility! We're looking forward to spending time with you. We're pleased to welcome our keynote speaker, Secretary Craig Thompson of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation! We have a fantastic lineup of speakers and exhibitors planned with tours of the new LEED-certified fleet facility as well as our annual awards honoring our members for their sustainable transportation achievements. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free for fleet managers, but registration is required. Register today!

Wisconsin is expected to receive billions of dollars in federal funding for public transportation, bridge repairs, electric vehicle charging stations, broadband expansion and more through the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. A fact sheet from the White House details state-specific funding to be provided through the legislation. Based on formula funding, the state is expected to receive $5.2 billion for highway improvements and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs over the next five years. Wisconsin has 979 bridges and over 1,949 miles of highways that are in poor condition, per the fact sheet, and drivers are estimated to pay $547 per year due to driving on roads that need repairs. The state is also expected to receive $592 million over five years to expand public transportation. Wisconsin is also expected to get $79 million over five years to expand its charging network for electric vehicles. Learn more from WisBusiness & this fact sheet from NASEO.

Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers earlier this month unveiled a sweeping package of nearly two dozen bills that seek to reduce the effects of climate change and support the clean energy transition. The package of 22 bills unveiled Nov. 15 by Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine and other lawmakers calls for funding programs and policy changes to support energy efficiency, sustainable farming practices, training for clean energy jobs and a just transition to renewable energy. The proposals would also support climate change research, planning and education. "It's important for Wisconsin to return to its rightful place, to assume the responsibility that we've always had to be good stewards of this land, to promote clean energy, and also to lead the fight against climate change," said Barnes. Learn more

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Grant program. Approximately $320,000 is available to fund projects designed to reduce emissions from aging diesel engines. Applications are due Jan. 7. 2022. The 2021 Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Energy Innovation Grant has $10 million available for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy planning projects. Applications are due January 14, 2022. Information on these and other funding opportunities is available in the Member Center.

One of the best ways to learn how to do something is by turning to others with experience. It’s one of the ways our nonprofit helps our members, by connecting them to their professional peers – either through one-on-one meetings or through our numerous educational events – who have already adopted sustainable transportation methods. A municipal fleet manager interested in adopting compressed natural gas for the city’s refuse trucks can turn to a fleet manager in another city and learn from their successes before embarking on their own efforts. Those with experience truly are the real experts and their knowledge, advice and proven track record of success is incredibly valuable. Read Lorrie Lisek's monthly column in Lee Enterprises newspapers across Wisconsin

Paper Transport, Inc. has been a Wisconsin Clean Cities member since 2009. Paper Transport, Inc. is a for-hire truckload carrier that offers regional truckload, dedicated truckload, intermodal and logistic services. Headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin with multiple park locations/terminals throughout the Midwest and Southern United States, PTI has experienced tremendous growth since its start in 1990 and now employs over 850 professional Class A CDL Truck Drivers along with over 200 driver support professionals. Learn more

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and various other plant materials collectively known as “biomass”. The use of ethanol is widespread, with more than 95 percent of U.S. gasoline containing ethanol in a low-level blend to oxygenate the fuel and reduce air pollution. Ethanol is also available as E85, a high-level ethanol blend containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol, depending on geography and season. The blend can be used in flexible fuel vehicles which have an internal combustion engine and run on either E85 or gasoline. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there are more than 8 million FFVs on U.S. roads today. Learn more on our Website