WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsAn environmental look back at 2008

An environmental look back at 2008

MADISON (WKOW) -- From buzz phrases like "green collar jobs" to real action like the Great Lakes Compact, plenty happened in the world of environmentalism this year.

Water definitely made a splash in 2008. In September, Congress overwhelmingly approved the Great Lakes Compact. The plan prevents diversions from the lakes' basin. At the time of its passage, Governor Jim Doyle hailed the vote. "Now as water is scarce and becoming more scarce in part of the U.S. and the rest of the world, it was essential we have a compact that protects that water for generations to come," said Doyle on September 23.

Clean Wisconsin's Amber Meyer Smith called the compact one of the biggest highlights of the year. "(It was) ratified by the federal government in a totally bipartisan way, which is not the easiest thing to do in 2008."

Possibly making water cleaner is a new rule in Wisconsin to drastically cut mercury emissions from power plants. Mercury must decrease 90-percent by 2015, or those plants must reduce other pollutants instead. Mercury largely comes from burning coal. "It's going to help the environment, but also the health of our citizens," said Meyer Smith.

Speaking of coal plants, Alliant Energy got a huge blow this year. On November 11, after multiple open meetings, the Public Service Commission unanimously rejected the plan to built a new power plant in Cassville.

"I just think this is the wrong project at the wrong time," said Commissioner Mark Meyer on the day of the decision.

"We're going back to the drawing board and look at all the available options we have," responded Alliant spokesperson Rob Crain afterwards.

The plant would have burned 20-percent biomass and created jobs. The PSC said it was still too much coal. Alliant recently said it won't appeal the ruling.

"This rejection, which was the first in Wisconsin's history, helped set forth a foundation to transition Wisconsin to a clean energy environment," said Meyer Smith, calling it the most important environmental decision of the year.

After a year of meetings, Governor Jim Doyle's task force on global warming came out with recommendations. Utilities would have to increase the amount of renewable energy, and the state would increase energy efficiency of its buildings, among other suggestions. At this point though, they're only recommendations, not law. Meyer Smith said groups like Clean Wisconsin will be busy lobbying legislators in 2009 about enacting some of them.

And who can forget that year at the gas pump? Gas prices spiked to four bucks a gallon, even more for diesel. We drove less and still paid more from our wallets. Then we saw gas drop back below $2 during the fall.

"We all know how volatile the market is, and we certainly hope people don't lose focus that it'll probably go up again," said Meyer Smith.

Congress also had a hand in environmental initiatives this year. When its passed that bailout bill this fall, it included a 100 pages of environmental tax credits. Everything from bike commuting to rooftop solar panels. They kick in at the first of the year.

One bit of environmental news was not as welcomed warmly. At the end of this year, the Environmental Protection Agency said Dane County was in violation of meeting stricter clean air guidelines. It's the first time Dane County hit non-attainment status.

CLICK HERE to email Down to Earth story ideas to Carl Agnelly.