Our Work in Wisconsin

Schools and Public Buildings 

A lack of funding for building upgrades to schools and other public buildings in Wisconsin has resulted in difficult decisions and missed opportunities. For example, the School District of La Crosse has been forced to consider merging schools and closing some facilities due in large part to the age of the buildings. Five of the district’s buildings are more than 80 years old.  

The Inflation Reduction Act includes new provisions that can help ease some of that burden and open the door to new clean energy projects that have been out of reach for many districts and municipalities. By introducing “direct pay” for tax-exempt entities the law enables them to access clean energy tax credits. These credits were previously unavailable to organizations that don’t pay taxes—like public schools, non-profit hospitals, and local governments. Now, using direct pay, certain clean energy projects can receive cash reimbursement for tax credits worth up to 50-60% of the total project cost by meeting specific criteria—like using materials made in the United States and meeting labor standards. BGA has been working with eligible entities to spread awareness of these new opportunities and help them navigate how to take advantage of them. 

Restoring Workers’ Rights 

A look into Wisconsin’s history will show a rich tradition of strong support for working people that has come under intense attack. The state’s proud history as a leader in the labor movement has been whittled away since the early 2010s with the passage of Act 10—which largely stripped public employees of their right to collectively bargain. In 2015 the state passed legislation make the state “right-to-work.” Since then, union membership in the state has plummeted. In 1989, 20.9% of workers in Wisconsin were represented by a union. As of 2023 that number is just 7.4%. 

In Wisconsin, BGA is working to make Wisconsin a welcoming place once again for workers. By fighting for workers’ rights, supporting union members in the state, pushing for strong labor standards on public projects, and trying to secure access to necessities like reliable and safe childcare for working parents, we believe that Wisconsin can be a place where working families thrive once again. 

Ensuring Clean Energy Generation at all Scales Supports Good Jobs 

As Wisconsin works to transition to cleaner, cheaper forms of energy—like community scale solar, utility scale solar, and wind—the state should be tapping into another rich Wisconsin resource: its substantial pool of skilled and experienced workers, who are ready and willing to support solar development. However, if clean energy projects in the state lack the labor standards necessary to ensure job quality, these opportunities will be replaced by less skilled work offering poor wages and benefits. That is not going to attract the skilled workforce we need to ensure that these projects are done safely, on time, and on budget—as projects built by union workers are more likely to be. Union-built projects also utilize registered apprentices, ensuring that our state is doing all it can to support training for the next generation of skilled trades workers—workers we will depend on to achieve our clean energy goals.