What I Do: Working for clean energy

Thursday, May 27, 2010

From an article in the Wisconsin State Journal:

Name: Carlie Forsythe

Age: 25

Occupation: Writer for the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, 201 W. Washington Ave.

Web: http://www.energyindependence.wi.gov

Length of time on the job: 4 months

This is my first job since graduating from UW-Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in August 2008. After a year of searching for a job, I was hired by the Office of Energy Independence (OEI) through the Department of Workforce Development’s on-the-job training program.

I’m excited to be able to work in an industry that promotes green energy and to have a career in which I’m able to utilize the skills I learned in school. I write articles and newsletters that focus on business owners who produce products that promote energy independence. I also interview community members involved in renewable energy strategies. I compose a weekly article on bio-products and am responsible for writing the content on the OEI website.

In July 2006, Gov. Jim Doyle announced the declaration of energy independence to chart a new course for clean energy in Wisconsin. The OEI was created in April 2007 by the governor as the agency that would lead the state’s effort to advance clean energy and bio-products.

This was the beginning of an effort for Wisconsin to become the nation’s leader in the drive toward energy independence. The OEI helps to support Wisconsin’s goal of generating 25 percent of its electric power and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025. We also want to capture 10 percent of the emerging bio-industry and renewable energy market by 2030 and lead the nation in innovative research to make clean energy more affordable and in-turn create good paying Wisconsin jobs.