Dane County is committed to leading by example in its own operations and has set multiple ambitious energy and emissions goals associated with Dane County operations
Dane County achieved this goal in 2023. Projects that contributed to this goal include:
Key projects:
We help Dane County anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate change hazards such as flooding, heat, and extreme weather:
Dane County continues its transition to clean fuel vehicles. Learn more about our latest fleet updates and watch an interview with Office of Energy & Climate Change Director Kathy Kuntz and Public Works about how the transition is going.
The Land & Water Resources Department implements science-based strategies to increase the county's climate resilience and to maximize the carbon stored on agricultural lands. Learn more about more Land and Water Resource Department's climate-related initiatives, projects, and programs, including how they are tracking progress.
The Yahara Solar project converted 90 acres of county-owned land in the Town of Cottage Grove into a large-scale solar field. This solar project brought the county to its goal of getting 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
One of the largest solar projects in Wisconsin is located on 58 acres at the Dane County Regional Airport. These panels generate enough electricty to power 40% of all county-owned facilities.
Did you know that Dane County is a leader in Wisconsin when it comes to publicly-owned solar installations? These projects provide clean energy jobs while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The Dane County RNG facility converts landfill biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG). The first of its kind in the nation, this facility is projected to generate enough revenue from the facility to payback the cost of the project in just a few years.
The Office of Energy & Climate Change is leading a Comprehensive Energy Assessment of Dane County government facilities. The assessment will identify energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, and water conservation opportunities in Dane County facilities, supporting County Executive Parisi’s goal that all county facilities and fleet be carbon neutral by 2030.
Dane County's new Sustainability Campus will be a facility that views waste as an opportunity to advance sustainable waste management systems and attract economic growth to the area.
Planning for this project begins in Summer 2023; read more about the initial goals set forth by the Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables.
