Gov. Tony Evers creates new office to reach carbon-free goal

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers is creating a new office to help achieve his goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Evers included the goal in his state budget in March. Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee erased the proposal from the final spending plan.

The governor issued an executive order Friday to create the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy within the state Department of Administration.

The order requires the office to achieve his 100% carbon-free goal. Evers clarified to reporters Friday that the order is not a mandate on utilities.

The order also calls for the state to follow carbon reduction goals in the 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

Evers announced in February that Wisconsin was joining the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group of mostly Democratic governors committed to implementing the accord.