County Supervisors Join Clean Energy Revolution Tour as It Rolls Into La Crosse to Highlight Solar and Rural Energy Investments

Road Tour Brings Together Local Leaders to Celebrate the Benefits of

Climate Progress and Clean Energy

(LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN) – Today, the Climate Action Campaign’s Clean Energy REVolution (CER) Tour arrived in La Crosse and was joined by La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Monica Kruse, and Dillon Mader and local advocates to celebrate climate progress and clean energy investments delivered through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Solutions for Pollution standards established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies.

Speakers highlighted the significant $62.4 million federal investment to assist disadvantaged Wisconsin communities by installing solar on single-family and multifamily residential properties to reduce household energy bills. The funding comes via the EPA’s Solar for All program. Additionally, speakers highlighted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investment of over $27 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support rural businesses in adopting or expanding clean energy solutions. Specific examples of REAP funding include rural businesses like Linda’s Bakery in West Salem, which will use a $161,373 REAP grant to install a solar electric array, showcasing how the IRA is driving clean energy development across Wisconsin’s cities and rural communities.

Monica Kruse,  La Crosse County Board Supervisor, addressed the substantial economic windfall of federal clean energy resources. “Investing in solar energy through the Solar for All program will bring substantial economic benefits to La Crosse and will deliver significant savings on energy costs for low-income households by covering installation costs. These savings will enable families to reinvest in the local economy, fostering economic growth and stability. Moreover, the program will support job creation in the renewable energy sector, ensuring that La Crosse not only benefits economically but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

Dillon Mader, La Crosse County Board Supervisor highlighted the health benefits of clean energy initiatives. “The Solar for All program’s focus on expanding access to affordable solar energy will significantly improve air quality and reduce pollution. This leads to better respiratory health outcomes for our residents, fewer asthma cases, and other pollution-related health issues. By making La Crosse a more sustainable place to live, we ensure that our community gets to enjoy a healthier environment.”

Kathy Allen, Coulee Region Sierra Club and Citizens Action Wisconsin volunteer, also emphasized the broader health benefits of clean energy. “Solar energy investments from the IRA are a critical step toward improving public health in our community. By cutting our reliance on burning fossil fuels, we’re reducing harmful pollution, which will dramatically improve our air quality. For the nearly 78,000 children and more than 510,000 adults with asthma in Wisconsin, the transition to clean energy could be life-changing.

La Crosse was the second stop on the tour, which featured a visually striking all-electric Campervan. The REVolution Tour includes 13+ media events in locations across Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.