The Business Journal of Milwaukee - 1:56 PM CDT Thursday, April 5, 2007

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed an executive order Thursday creating a new Office of Energy Independence and a task force to help advance his vision on energy policy and promote the state's biofuels industry.   Doyle said the plan marks the next steps in Wisconsin's effort to become a national leader in energy independence and fight global warming. A primary goal of the previously announced initiative is to generate 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of our transportation fuel from renewable fuels by 2025.

"With our vast agricultural and forestry resources, our strong research institutions, and our strong manufacturing base, I want the Midwest to become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy - with Wisconsin at the forefront," Doyle said in a statement.

The Office of Energy Independence will serve as the main point of contact for citizens, businesses, local units of government and non-governmental

organizations pursuing bio development, energy efficiency and energy independence. The office will also identify federal funding opportunities and serve as the State Energy Office, working to maintain federal designation and funding.

One initial project for the office will be to work with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin on a potential multi-utility effort to build a "clean coal" electric generation facility, Doyle said.

Judy Ziewacz, the current deputy secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, was named executive director of the office.

Doyle also signed an executive order creating a Task Force on Global Warming that will bring together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environment leaders to examine the effects of, and solutions to, global warming in Wisconsin.

The task force will be chaired by Roy Thilly of the Wisconsin Public Power and Tia Nelson of the Board of Public Land Commissioners