John Imes

Purple State. Green Momentum. Real Results. weigogreener.org/about.php In a year full of noise and uncertainty, Wisconsin proved something important: results still matter more than rhetoric. At @weigogreener, we focus on practical solutions that work --lower energy bills, good jobs, affordable housing, and resilient communities. In a purple state like Wisconsin, clean energy succeeds not because it’s ideological, but because it delivers real value. In 2025, that meant turning momentum into measurable progress --from green building standards and clean-energy policy to local leadership on the global stage. Read our 2025 Recap: weigogreener.org/about.php Build it here. Power it here. Prosper here. @cleaneconomyWI @ASBCouncil @theASBN @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

400+ people packed a town hall in rural Wisconsin to talk about AI data centers. They weren’t anti-technology. They want transparency, fairness, and a say before decisions reshape their communities — and their electricity bills. My latest column in The Cap Times: captimes.com/opinion/guest-… @cleaneconomyWI @ASBCouncil @theASBN @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

Clean Growth in a Purple State Starts Here Wisconsin’s energy future is being shaped right now. From data center growth to net zero housing and new federal uncertainties, our latest WEI E-Update breaks down what it means for communities, clean energy, and affordability. Read it here: mailchi.mp/3b9f6308be63/w… @ASBCouncil @cleaneconomyWI @theASBN @WisPolitics @WisBusiness @WIConservation @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

🌍Federal Climate Rollback Raises New Risks for Wisconsin’s Energy Future wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/16/fed… What happens when federal climate guardrails weaken just as energy demand accelerates? My latest Wisconsin Examiner guest column examines how recent policy shifts could reshape Wisconsin’s clean energy momentum — from community solar and farm innovation to data center expansion and decisions now facing state regulators. The piece highlights why local leadership, practical solutions and responsible planning will play an increasingly important role in determining Wisconsin’s energy future. @cleaneconomyWI @ASBCouncil @theASBN @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

Wisconsin is at a pivotal moment for data center development. wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/01/23/wis… In my latest @WIExaminer column, I make the case for a common-sense approach: require clean energy first, full cost accountability, and real community protections so Wisconsin can welcome data center growth without sacrificing affordability or our clean energy future. Read the full piece here: wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/01/23/wis… *For more information, check out the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin Data Center Accountability Framework, a statewide roadmap for policymakers to manage the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers in the state. cleaneconomywi.com/wp-content/upl… @cleaneconomyWI @ASBCouncil @theASBN @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

Wisconsin is at a crossroads on data center development. AI and hyperscale data centers are moving fast. Without clear guardrails, families, farms, and small businesses could end up paying higher electric and water bills for decades. There is a smarter path forward that protects ratepayers, water, and Wisconsin’s clean energy future. *Read the Data Center Accountability Framework: drive.google.com/file/d/10PQKJS… @cleaneconomyWI @ASBCouncil @theASBN @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin

Clean energy is no longer a niche. It’s a competitive advantage. ibmadison.com/magazine/why-c… From manufacturing to agriculture, COP30 highlighted why Dane County is well aligned with where the global economy is heading. Read my latest open-mic column for InBusiness Magazine: ibmadison.com/magazine/why-c… @theASBN @ASBCouncil @cleaneconomyWI @WIConservation @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM @americaisallin #COP30 #CleanEnergy #WisconsinEconomy #ClimateLeadership

Wisconsin is ready for the clean-energy economy #COP30 is accelerating. Here’s why: jsonline.com/story/opinion/… @theASBN @cleaneconomyWI @WisPolitics @WisBusiness @ClimateVoiceOrg @jsonline @jsonlinemkebs @WIConservation

#COP30 made one thing clear: when national politics stall, local leadership delivers. My reflections from COP30 in Brazil: wispolitics.com/2025/john-imes… @WisPolitics @cleaneconomyWI @theASBN @EarthshotPrize @WisBusiness @americaisallin @Cop30noBrasil @CO2Council @c40cities @ClimateVoiceOrg @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM

Reporting from #COP30 in Rio: wispolitics.com/2025/john-imes… WI is front + center in the U.S. Climate Alliance. 24% ↓ emissions + 34% ↑ GDP shows climate action = economic growth. This is kitchen-table climate leadership. This is Wisconsin. 🇺🇸🌱 wispolitics.com/2025/john-imes… #AmericaIsAllIn #CleanEnergy #Wisconsin @WisPolitics @theASBN @EarthshotPrize @CenterPartyNOW @WisBusiness @cleaneconomyWI @americaisallin @CO2Council @c40cities @weigogreener @UNFCCC @climate @ClimateVoiceOrg @MadisonBiz @dmimadison @StartingBlockM

In a purple state like Wisconsin, climate action is common sense: lower bills, good local jobs, cleaner air: wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/10/14/pur… Cutting clean-energy tools mid-stream hurts families, farms & manufacturers. Let’s build it here, power it here, and prosper here. Read it here: wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/10/14/pur… #Wisconsin #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyEfficiency #PurpleStateGreenMomentum @WIExaminer @theASBN @weigogreener @cleaneconomyWI @WisPolitics @WisBusiness @WIConservation @ClimateVoiceOrg @StartingBlockM @MadisonBiz @trellisgroup_ @dmimadison

Wisconsin could lose $130M as Energy Department targets grants awarded under Biden - wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/10/13/wis… Clean energy holds the promise of addressing air pollution and climate change as well as revitalizing the state’s industrial base, said John Imes, director of the @weigogreener (WEI), a nonprofit that advocates policies benefiting the environment and the economy. “These are all win-win that all of us want regardless of our political affiliation,” Imes told the Wisconsin Examiner. “This is all bottom-line stuff.” Rolling back projects that enhance cleaner and more efficient use of energy will likely increase the cost of energy, Imes said. “It means higher electric bills, higher energy bills, fewer choices and lost jobs,” he said. “We’re going to lose momentum.” @theASBN @cleaneconomyWI @WisPolitics @WisBusiness @WIConservation @ClimateVOICE @StartingBlockM @MadisonBiz @trellisgroup_ @dmimadison #ASBN #PurpleStateGreenMomentum #Wisconsin

3 days. Actionable frameworks for business + democracy. I’m sharing how WI’s “purple state” playbook—smart policy + market innovation—lowers bills, creates jobs, and strengthens communities at @asbnetwork (Oct 21–23). @RickStevesEur, Fair Trade USA, @CeresNews & more. Virtual! Register: asbnetwork.org/conference ***To build on this conversation and bring it home to Madison, please join us for an in-person networking reception: @100State | 17 South Fairchild St., 7th Floor, Madison, WI Wednesday, October 22 | – PM Register: eventbrite.com/e/wei-asbn-net… #BusinessOfDemocracy #PurpleStateGreenMomentum #Wisconsin @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @weigogreener @cleaneconomyWI @dmimadison @MadisonBiz @StartingBlockM

Business leaders, students, advocates—join me at @theASBN Business, Policy & Purpose (Oct 21–23). I’m speaking on Purple State, Green Momentum. Don’t miss Carbon Removal @ COP30 + candid Q&A w/ political leaders. Register: asbnetwork.org/conference Join us for an in-person networking reception: @100State | 17 South Fairchild St., 7th Floor, Madison, WI - Wednesday, October 22 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM Register: eventbrite.com/e/wei-asbn-net… @CO2Council @cleaneconomyWI @weigogreener @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @StartingBlockM @dmimadison @100State @MadisonBiz #BusinessForDemocracy #ASBN

Thrilled to join @theASBN’s Business, Policy & Purpose conference (Oct 21–23, virtual). On 10/22 I’ll share “Purple State, Green Momentum,” how WI is turning climate action into common sense—lower bills, good local jobs, cleaner air—by pairing smart policy with market innovation and real partnerships across stakeholders. We’ll highlight concrete Wisconsin wins—from @ingeteam in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley manufacturing to solar on schools and electric buses—and why policy certainty helps companies invest, hire, and grow. Join us: asbnetwork.org/conference #ASBN #BusinessOfDemocracy @weigogreener @cleaneconomyWI @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @StartingBlockM @dmimadison @MadisonBiz @100State

Purple state, green momentum. Wisconsin proves climate action is common sense—it lowers bills, creates good local jobs, and protects the air and water every family depends on. wispolitics.com/2025/john-imes… Read my column, then join the WI Climate March this Sun, Sept 28. wisconsinclimatemarch.org Let’s keep our clean-energy momentum going! #wiclimatemarch #cleanenergywi #ClimateWeekNYC #EnvironmentalJustice @cleaneconomyWI @WisBusiness @WIConservation @ClimateVoiceOrg @StartingBlockM @dmimadison @theASBN @WisPolitics @trellisgroup_ @MadisonBiz @weigogreener

At #ClimateWeekNYC, #ClimateForward leaders from CA Gov. Newsom to Bill McKibben to Google & Microsoft made one thing clear: climate action can’t wait. 🌍 @nytimes nytimes.com/events/climate… @ClimateGroup 900+ events proved the solutions are here—clean energy, good jobs, resilient communities. Now it’s on us. Let’s build this future together. #ClimateAction #Sustainability It’s why we’ll be marching this Sunday, September 28, at the wisconsinclimatemarch.org. It’s our chance to stand together and send a message: Wisconsin won’t let Washington roll back common-sense progress that lowers bills, creates jobs, and cleans up our air and water. #ClimateAction #ClimateWeekNYC #Sustainability #CleanEnergy @theASBN @cleaneconomyWI @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @americaisallin @MadisonBiz @WIConservation @LeagueWIMunis @dmimadison @trellisgroup_ @StartingBlockM @SierraClub @HealthyWis @ClimateVoiceOrg

Oct 22: I’m joining @theASBN Business, Policy & Purpose for “Purple State, Green Momentum” -- How WI & other purple states are building resilient, profitable, sustainable growth (incl. a video message from Ingeteam’s Garran Chivinski). Register: asbnetwork.org/conference/ Mark your calendar: 5–7pm networking @100state, 17 S. Fairchild St., Madison. Once-in-a-generation moment to show how WI leadership advances national + local progress. Join us! #CleanEnergy #SustainableBusiness #Wisconsin @americaisallin @WisBusiness @WisPolitics @cleaneconomyWI @WIConservation @LeagueWIMunis @dmimadison @MadisonBiz @trellisgroup_ @StartingBlockM @SierraClub @HealthyWis @ClimateVoiceOrg