In promotion of clean and efficient renewable energy, Gov. Jim Doyle is attending the Midwest Governor’s Association Energy Security and Climate Change Summit in Milwaukee this Wednesday and Thursday.

Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a non-profit organization promoting renewable energy, said he was optimistic about the summit. He said there is potential for a summit of this type to lead to cooperation in furthering policies that favor renewable energy.

“All states should be demanding regional coordination. If an outcome of this summit is pledges of regional cooperation in areas such as electricity transmissions, that would be a positive development,” Vickerman said, referencing electricity sharing across state lines.

Vickerman also said the summit may be beneficial if state to state competition is encouraged, as it might force neighboring states to adapt improved energy policies.

In February of this year, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington signed a regional climate plan to protect the environment similar to deals discussed at the Milwaukee conference.

According to a recent report by the environmental advocacy organization Wisconsin Environment, Wisconsin is one of nine states taking proactive steps toward protecting the environment and investing in renewable energy.

“Wisconsin is rising to our nation’s energy challenge by taking action to reduce energy consumption and promote clean renewable energy,” said Wisconsin Environment Director Dan Kohler in a statement.

In March 2006, Doyle signed Act 141, which requires 10 percent of all energy produced in the state to be from renewable sources by 2015. According to Vickerman, Wisconsin is making progress toward this goal.

Vickerman said the “one big problem” Wisconsin has that hinders Doyle’s mandated goal is the state’s system of permitting wind projects. Projects that began over five years ago are still in progress, according to Vickerman, and he said that amount of time should not be necessary in Wisconsin.