Gov. Jim Doyle outlined some of the events he will participate in during the climate talks in Copenhagen this week in a news conference call Friday.
Doyle plans to meet with representatives from General Electric and green energy companies during his trip, and will speak at three meetings including the opening summit.
He said governors at the conference will showcase green energy initiatives at the state level. Doyle said it is important to show there has been a lot of activity among states to address climate change.
During the conference call, Doyle said he was concerned about maintaining a reliance on imported fuels. He said the cost of investing in renewable energy now will allow Wisconsin to spend less in the future and will create more job opportunities.
""[Wisconsin] also has major research capacities, and by putting all those components together we can build a good strong sector of our economy around the creation of alternate forms of energy and energy conservation,"" he said, focusing on investments in wind and solar energy.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, who also participated in the conference call, said it is the job of governors and mayors to take a role in implementing federal clean energy policies.
Legislation that would require Wisconsin to obtain 25 percent of its energy from renewable energy by 2025 could be taken up by the Wisconsin state Legislature early next year. The bill's provisions are based on recommendations from the state's Task Force on Global Warming.
Doyle said he is excited to discuss the green initiatives Wisconsin has taken on and said he is looking forward to the conference.
""We are moving on a great number of fronts … [the conference] is a great opportunity for me and for our team to learn about some of the very good things happening all over the world,"" he said.
