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— The federal Labor Department reported that unemployment stayed at 10 percent in December as the economy lost 85,000 jobs. That result is slightly worse than expected. See more below in TOP STORIES — Gov. Jim Doyle says a bill to create new renewable energy standards and set conservation goals would create thousands of new jobs. Doyle says the new “Clean Energy Jobs Act” would create 1,800 jobs the first year after it’s adopted and at least 15,000 jobs by 2025. The standards mandate that 25 percent of the state’s energy come from renewable resources by 2025 and create an energy conservation goal of reducing consumption by 2 percent by 2015. Doyle said those standards will spur investment in “green” energy manufacturing and create jobs. Doyle, who attended the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last month, warned that if Wisconsin doesn’t stake it’s ground in the race to build the “green” energy industry, it will fall behind. A state analysis says the majority of the jobs will first come in the construction industry to update state buildings, build wind turbines and solar panels, and make homes more energy efficient. See Doyle’s release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=181324 See the analysis: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=18757 — Meanwhile the state’s largest business lobbying group is declaring the bill a job killer. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce cited a recent study estimating the state will lose at least 43,000 jobs under the proposals. “Many families in this state are hurting,” said Scott Manley, director of environmental policy for WMC, in a press release. “We cannot afford to lose any more jobs, but that is exactly what this legislation will do.” But Doyle said that study assumed the bill would have a cap and trade provision, which it doesn’t. Still, key Republican lawmaker Jeff Fitzgerald said the bill would lead to skyrocketing energy rates that would harm the state’s industrial base. “There is no reason why these new green jobs need to come at the expense of existing jobs,” Fitzgerald said. See the WMC release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=181328
TOP STORIES Barr could lose Park Lafayette: The developer of the massive and largely vacant Park Lafayette condos on Milwaukee’s east side, who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy before Christmas in a last-ditch effort to maintain control of the property, is unlikely to succeed with a reorganization plan. Labor union says UW System interfering in efforts: A labor union and its Democratic allies are asking the University of Wisconsin System to sign a legal agreement that could boost ongoing campaigns to unionize faculty and staff. Businesses oppose Wisconsin clean energy plan: Wisconsin’s business community is divided over Gov. Jim Doyle’s clean energy plan that calls for increasing the use of renewable fuels and opens the door to nuclear power, with opponents saying the new mandates will weaken Wisconsin’s already struggling manufacturing sector.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
LABOR (back to top) – Appeals Court will hear sick leave arguments Jan. 20
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Grants aim to boost agricultural innovation
RETAIL (back to top)
REGULATION (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top)
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – Unilever executive named JohnsonDiversey CFO – Kohler Power Systems names president PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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