MADISON -Dane County has announced that it appears as No. 13 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 30 On-site List of the largest green power users from the Green Power Partnership (GPP).
In 2023Dane County used nearly 36 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, which represented 65 percent of its operations’ total power needs. Dane Countyis also No. 20 on the Top 30 LocalGovernment list.Dane County’s choice to use green power is part of the County’s ambitious commitment to climate action.
“We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our green power use,” said Jamie Kuhn, Dane County Executive.
“By making the choice to use green power, our organization saves money, reduces its emissions footprint, and sends a message to others across the region that using green power is smart business.”
In July 2023, with the completion of the Yahara Solar project that the County pursued in partnership with Alliant Energy and SunVest Solar, the County achieved 100% renewable offset electricity. Prior to the Yahara Solar project about 40% of the County’s electricity was renewable offset via the Airport Solar partnership with MGE and about seventeen rooftop solar installations on county facilities.
“The 2023 data reflects an important transition year—when our green power was on the rise,” noted Kuhn. “We look forward to the 2025 rankings when Dane County will be reporting 100% green power.”
By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, Dane County and other Green Power Partners {span}are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions including those related to ozone, fine{span} {span}particles, acid rain, and regional haze.According to the U.S. EPA, Dane County’s green power use of nearly 36 million kWh is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 3,000 average American homes.
“This list of the largest users of green power across the nation is proof that good business practices can also benefit the environment,” said James Critchfield, Program Manager of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “EPA applauds the leading organizations in the Green Power Partnership’s Top Partner Rankings for their notable commitment to expanding their use of green power and protecting the environment.”
In 2017 Dane County Executive Joe Parisi set the goal that electricity for county operations be 100% renewable offset by 2025. The County achieved the goal in July 2023, ahead of schedule. In April 2024 Dane County announced interest in another solar partnership at the closed Verona landfill; the aim of that project is to ensure that the County remains 100% renewable offset even as it electrifies more buildings and fleet. The County will issue an RFP seeking project partners for that installation soon.
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations to advance the American market for green power and development of those sources as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. In 2022, the Partnership had nearly 700 Partners voluntarily using nearly 95 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visitwww.epa.gov/greenpower.
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