Our Wisconsin EV State Policy Bootcamp covered the wide-ranging benefits of electric vehicles, from individual vehicles to school and transit buses to fleets. We also discussed the importance of electrifying vehicles in Wisconsin and the state policy opportunities for accelerating their deployment. Speakers from the public sector and industry provided overviews the state of the market and technology, as well as the experiences of fleets that are transitioning to EVs, including municipalities, utilities, and private industry.
Our staff has summarized some of the key takeaways from the event that we want to re-emphasize:
- Cities, state agencies, school districts, and nonprofits have made excellent progress toward electrification, but it will be impossible to reach our climate targets and achieve widespread consumer benefits without action from the state legislature.
- It will take concerted effort and planning to ensure that rural areas are not left behind in this transition to electric transportation. Federal funding and coordination with federal and state departments of transportation will be essential to equitable and timely implementation of charging infrastructure.
- Utilities will be critical partners in this transition, especially as more consumers are interested in time-of-use rates and expanding current pilot projects.
Event Agenda:
| Time | Topic |
Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00-10:15 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks: Why We Need EVs for National Security |
Aaron Viles, Electrification Coalition |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Market Update | Spencer Burget, Atlas Public Policy |
| 10:30 – 10:40 a.m. | State Level Action in Wisconsin | Maria Redmond, Director of WI Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy |
| 10:40 – 11:35 a.m. |
Getting Up North: Plugging in Rural Wisconsin to EVs Moderator: Ryan Huebsch, Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum |
Kaleb Vander Wiele, DOT Jeff Springer, Dairyland Power Cooperative Lorrie Lisek, WiCC Carly Eaton, Blue Green Alliance |
| 11:35 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
Lunch & Learn: Tools and Resources for Electrification Lunch will be provided |
Presentation on EV Supply Chain Transition Report, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Demo of the EV Funding Finder and DRVE Tool, Brandt Hertenstein, Electrification Coalition |
|
12:15 -1:05 p.m. |
Making Electrification Work: Lessons in Barriers, Challenges, and Deployment Moderator: Chelsea Handler, Clean Wisconsin |
Erinn Monroe, Madison Gas and Electric Mahanth Joishy, City of Madison Erick Shambarger, Sustainability Director, City of Milwaulkee Brian Lambert, WEC Energy Group |
|
1:05 – 1:50 p.m. |
Getting Buses in the Streets: Electrifying School Buses Moderator: Francisco Sayu, RENEW Wisconsin |
Dr. Jon Temte, Healthy Climate Wisconsin Josh Williams, Highland Electric Fleets Tony Maietta, EPA Region 5 Craig Hayes, Wild Rose School District Manager |
|
1:50 – 1:55 p.m. |
Final Remarks |
Jesus Rodriguez, Executive VP of Chargers, Ingeteam
|
|
1:55 – 2:00 p.m. |
Closing |
Emma Heins, Electrification Coalition |
Meet Your Speakers
Aaron Viles, Electrification Coalition
Aaron Viles is the director of campaigns at the Electrification Coalition, where he develops and directs campaigns to advance state policy for transportation electrification in seven prioritized states. Aaron manages the Electrification Coalition’s campaigns teams and priority policy portfolios, as well as developing and maintaining governmental, corporate, and NGO relationships for the organization. Aaron has launched the Veterans for EVs program, expanded the EC’s work in the Midwest, and led federal advocacy resulting in the passage of the landmark EV policies in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Prior to joining the EC, Aaron worked with the Kentucky Democratic Party, supporting nationally-recognized congressional and gubernatorial campaigns. Aaron brings experience in environmental, energy, and online advocacy from his previous work experience.
Aaron is currently the board chair for Healthy Gulf, a Louisiana-based environmental group.
Emma Heins, Electrification Coalition
Emma Heins is a Policy Manager for the Electrification Coalition, where she works on state advocacy in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and at the federal level. Her focus is on policy research and stakeholder engagement to help policy makers create ambitious policy opportunities and strengthen the case for transportation electrification in the Midwest and Southeast.
Emma holds a Masters in Public Affairs and an Energy Analysis certification from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and minors in Public Health and Political Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Spencer Burget, Atlas Public Policy
Spencer Burget is a Policy Analyst at Atlas Public Policy where he contributes original research and policy analysis on transportation electrification and federal climate policy. Spencer develops tools to empower the policy community through access to data. Spencer also contributes to research and development and strategic advising spanning medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, EV charging infrastructure deployment, and total cost of ownership analysis.
Maria Redmond, WI Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy
Maria serves as the Director of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy and has worked for the State of Wisconsin for 22 years. In addition to helping with the development and implementation of the recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, Maria is leading the implementation of the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan. Maria leads projects and partnerships centered on environmental justice and multi-sector deep decarbonization and supports the state’s bustling clean energy economy that ensures a diverse workforce and technology innovation
Ryan Huebsch, Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum
Ryan Huebsch is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WICEF), a non-profit organization that launched in fall 2017. As executive director Ryan leads the effort to provide a voice for conservatives in the state’s energy policy debate, with a focus on advancing clean, reliable, affordable renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Huebsch is a lifelong resident of La Crosse County, having been born in Onalaska and raised in West Salem. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he graduated with honors.
Prior to joining WICEF, Huebsch worked as a legislative assistant in the offices of Wisconsin State Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) and for then-Majority Leader, now Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05). He was campaign manager for former State Senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) and most recently was the 2022 Republican candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 94th District in Western Wisconsin.
Kaleb Vander Wiele, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Kaleb Vander Wiele is from WisDOT’s Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives and is WisDOT’s Transportation Electrification Project Manager. Kaleb has served in a variety of roles at WisDOT that have allowed him to focus on regulatory issues and policy development. In his current role in the Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives he has been tasked with leading WisDOT’s effort in preparing for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
Carly Ebben Eaton, Wisconsin Blue Green Alliance
Carly Ebben Eaton is the Wisconsin Policy Organizer at the BlueGreen Alliance. In this capacity, she works with a coalition of labor unions and environmental organizations to solve Wisconsin’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a clean, thriving, and equitable economy.
Carly is a scientist by training; she holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University. Her research focused on the chemistry of aerosol particle production, nitrogen oxides, and ozone, and the impacts of this chemistry on air quality and climate. In 2014, she became a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Chemistry at UC Berkeley and a member of UAW Local 5810. Carly served as Financial Secretary of UAW 5810, in addition to working as an organizer with the union from 2017-2020. She also served on the Executive Committee of the Alameda Labor Council and as Co-Chair of the Council’s Climate & Environmental Justice Caucus. Prior to joining the BGA team, Carly was the Development Director for the Labor Network for Sustainability. She lives in Waunakee, WI with her family.
Jeff Springer, Dairyland Power Cooperative
Jeff Springer, Manager, Innovation and Efficient Electrification – Dairyland Power Cooperative: Jeff is a Certified Energy Manager with over 33 years of utility experience assisting agricultural, commercial, and industrial, consumers with efficient electrification technologies, power quality, and demand response programs. His recent work has been focused on transportation electrification and charging infrastructure development. Jeff has led Dairyland’s effort to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure including managed home chargers, public Level 2 chargers, and high power direct current Level 3 public chargers. He is a founding board member and Secretary – Treasurer of CHARGE EV LLC, a cooperative led effort to develop a national presence for cooperatives in the electric vehicle charging market. He serves on the Interconnection Task Force of the Alliance for Transportation Electrification and as an auxiliary board member of Wisconsin Clean Cities.
Lorrie Lissek, Wisconsin Clean Cities
Lorrie Lisek is the president and co-owner of Legacy Environmental Services, Inc., a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) founded in 2003. Lisek has served as Executive Director of Wisconsin Clean Cities since 2011. The coalition is one of nearly 75 under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, which aims to reduce petroleum use by promoting clean, domestic, sustainable fuels, technologies and vehicles. Under Lisek’s leadership, Wisconsin Clean Cities was named a U.S. EPA SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Honoree for the coalition’s role in reducing freight emissions. Lisek has also been instrumental in securing more than $40 million in state and federal funding for coalition and member advanced mobility transportation projects. In 2015, Lorrie was inducted into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Hall of Fame. Lisek was recently honored by the Clean Fuels Alliance with the Impact Award recognizing the efforts of the National Clean Cities Program and Directors.
Brandt Hertenstein, Electrification Coalition
As a Programs Manager, Brandt accelerates the implementation of EV infrastructure at the local, state, and federal levels. As federal funding becomes available to states nationwide, Brandt supports policy work that will maximize federal investments and catalyze EV infrastructure deployment.
Prior to joining the EC, Brandt was a project coordinator for Metropolitan Energy Center and the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities coalition. He led a variety of projects focused on EV and EVSE education, awareness, and development.
Brandt holds a Professional Science Masters Degree in Bioenergy and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, both from the University of Illinois.
Flannery Geoghegan, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Flannery Geoghegan is the Senior Director of Policy at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). In her role, she oversees cross-departmental collaboration with federal and state policy opportunities, as well as WEDC’s program evaluation process and industry analyses. Prior to her time with WEDC, she worked on a range of federal policies in the US Senate and for the University of Southern California. Flannery is a proud badger and Door County resident.
Chelsea Chandler, Clean Wisconsin
As the Climate, Energy & Air Program Director, Chelsea Chandler draws on her experience in climate science and policy, relationships with decision-makers and diverse stakeholders across the state, and passion for environmental sustainability and justice to advocate for climate action in Wisconsin. Chelsea has worked on climate issues for over a decade in Wisconsin, the West Coast, and Latin America.
Prior to joining Clean Wisconsin, Chelsea led the Climate & Energy Initiative at the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Previously, as a scientist in the Stockholm Environment Institute’s Climate and Energy group, her portfolio ranged from local (crafting a carbon neutral plan for Seattle) to international (presenting at international training workshops on climate change mitigation). With a mom who emigrated from Cuba and a dad from Minnesota, Chelsea grew up understanding and valuing diverse perspectives. Through her own multicultural and interdisciplinary background, she strives to serve as a translator between different people and topics.
Chelsea holds a M.E.M. in Global Change Science and Policy from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Brian Lambert, WEC Energy Group
Brian is Manager, Customer Programs for WEC Energy Group, responsible for energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, and other programs for customers of We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service in Wisconsin. Prior to this he worked for Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ program for energy efficiency and renewable energy. He attended Lawrence University and Marquette Law School, and lives with his wife and daughter in Elm Grove, WI.
Mahanth Joishy, City of Madison
Mahanth S. Joishy is the Fleet Superintendent for the City of Madison, and started this role in July 2017. He and the team are focused on making the City’s fleet of 1,800 vehicles the greenest, safest, and most cost-efficient in the world. Fleet also launched a comprehensive apprentice program for high school, college, and technical college students in January 2018. Mahanth is also part of a regional team working on installing more EV charging for the public throughout Dane County. Prior to Madison Mahanth spent 16 years in New York City government operations.
Erinn Monroe-Nye, Madison Gas and Electric
Erinn Monroe-Nye is an Energy Services and Policy Manager at Madison Gas and Electric where she manages MGE’s electric vehicle programs including charger installation, managed charging and charging rates. She has worked in the energy industry for more than fifteen years including roles at utilities, non-profits, and consulting companies most notably as the director of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program. She has a master’s degree in international public affairs and energy analysis and policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s been driving electric since 2019.
Erick Shamberger, City of Milwaukee
Erick Shambarger is the Director of Environmental Sustainability for the City of Milwaukee, where he leads the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO). ECO develops practical solutions that benefit Milwaukee’s environment and economy. Mr. Shambarger leads Milwaukee’s involvement with local, national and global partnerships on environmental sustainability. He oversees all of ECO’s programs, including the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) program, the Milwaukee Better Buildings Challenge, Water Centric City initiative, the Eco Neighborhoods program, green infrastructure work, and EV charging. He led development of the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan that was adopted in 2019 and Milwaukee’s newly adopted Climate and Equity Plan. He is also co-founder of the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition (WLGCC.org).
Francisco Sayu, RENEW Wisconsin
Francisco Sayu is the Emerging Technologies Director for RENEW Wisconsin. He moved to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin and discovered his passion for sustainability as a young engineer working in health care facilities throughout the Midwest. He returned to the University of Wisconsin in 2013 to earn a Master’s in Sustainable Systems Engineering and has dedicated his career to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Before Joining RENEW, I served as the Program Manager for the Focus on Energy® New Construction Solution, a statewide program that empowers the people and businesses of Wisconsin to make decisions that save energy and money. In addition to his work at RENEW, he is the Founder of BikEquity Inc, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, mentorship, and education so that everyone can enjoy cycling regardless of income, age, race, or ability.
Tyler Salamasick, EPA Region 5
Tyler Salamasick works on mobile source voluntary programs, State Implementation Plans and state inspection and maintenance programs in EPA’s Region 5 Control Strategies Section. He has a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in human health. Prior to joining Region 5’s state and voluntary programs in 2022, he worked in air compliance and enforcement for 6 years.
Dr. Jonathan Temte, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Health
Jonathan L. Temte, MD/PhD is Associate Dean for Public Health and Community Engagement at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health where he also serves as professor of Family Medicine and Community Health. He has an MS in biological oceanography and a PhD in zoology (environmental physiology) based on his work with reproductive timing in seals and sea lions. Dr. Temte has a long history of building bridges between public health, environmental health, and clinical medicine. He is a founding board member of Health Climate Wisconsin and serves as the principal investigator of the Wisconsin Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project and the Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS).
Craig Hayes, Wild Rose School District
Craig Hayes is the district administrator of Wild Rose School District in Wisconsin, and has worked in education for 23 years. His district received $790,000 to purchase two electric school bus in the first round of EPA Clean School Bus funding last year.
Joshua Williams, Highland Electric Fleets
Joshua serves as Midwest Regional Manager of Market Development at Highland Electric Fleets. Highland offers a public-private partnership model that helps school districts deploy electric buses at the same or less costs of owning and operating diesel buses. In his role Joshua collaborates with policymakers, community leaders and advocacy organizations to promote the health, environmental and economic benefits of electric school buses. He joined Highland from Business Sweden where he provided go-to-market and business development advisory services to future mobility companies. Joshua also spent ten years at the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade where he led the UK’s efforts to facilitate industry partnerships in the electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle supply chains. As the father of young children and husband of a pediatric nurse, Josh is especially passionate about the way electric buses improve air quality for local communities.
Jesus Rodriguez, Ingeteam
Jesus Rodriguez is the Executive Vice President EV chargers at Ingeteam Inc.
As EVP, Jesus Rodriguez is responsible for leading and implementing the strategy for the EV chargers business unit in the US. He is also responsible for the manufacturing expansion for EV Chargers at Ingeteam Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. Jesus has a proven executive management track record and over 20 years of experience in multinational corporations, running manufacturing plants and operations in USA, Europe and Asia. Jesus has held several senior management positions in three continents and across diverse sectors such as renewable energy, EV electrification, O&G, chemicals, and consumer goods with strong emphasis on clean energy and energy transition to a more sustainable future.
Jesus earned a Master of Energy Economics from Rice University, Houston, TX, Byron Pope award for outstanding performance at Rice University, an Executive MBA from ESIC Marketing and Business School, Spain and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Mondragon University, Spain