On Monday, the Madison School Board discussed its goal to transition the school district to 100% renewable energy by 2040, according to the Wisconsin State Journal, which will likely require revisions with the scale of the changes proposed.
The necessary building updates, centered on electrifying heating systems, would cost roughly $1 billion and would accompany other building renovations. Regular referendums — beginning as soon as November 2024 and lasting through 2044 — would generate most of this money. Other money would come from fundraising or federal grants.
The board discussed three possible plans to reach the district’s sustainability goal. Two scenarios would transition the district to 100% renewable energy or to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, while the other would push back the timeline to 2050.
The board is expected to choose a plan by March; many board members were in favor of focusing on greenhouse gas emissions reduction rather than transitioning to 100% renewable energy in order to make the resolution more realistic. The board in 2019 adopted a nonbinding resolution calling for the district to be at 50% renewable energy by 2030, 75% by 2035, and 100% by 2040 before the pandemic disrupted plans.
To meet the renewable energy goal, construction would need to start in 2026 and would require the temporary closure of nine schools each year between 2026 and 2030. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2040 would necessitate fewer school closures at one time and a small initial taxpayer investment. Additional details are available online.
