An estimated 82 clean energy projects in Wisconsin — totaling $18 billion in expected investment — could be eligible for labor-related tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a new national report.

The report, released by the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, looked at how the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, could boost the clean energy sector while creating union jobs. 

Nationally, the report identified 6,285 utility-scale clean energy projects that are either planned, under construction or have been completed recently that may be eligible for incentives from the IRA. Those projects, the report says, account for $2 trillion in investment, nearly 1.1 million megawatts of power and roughly 3.9 million jobs. 

According to the report, the 82 utility-scale clean energy projects identified in Wisconsin — either planned, being built or recently completed — account for an estimated 42,000 jobs and 11,833 megawatts of power. Those are broken down into 48 solar projects, 26 battery projects, five wind projects and three hydro projects.

Amy Barrilleaux, a spokesperson for Clean Wisconsin, said it’s an exciting time for the clean energy industry in Wisconsin, fueled by the IRA.

“When you look at these 82 clean energy projects in the pipeline, that’s a huge deal. That’s changing how Wisconsin gets its energy,” she said. “Right now, we import most of our energy. We pay a lot of money to do that, but this is a change to a homegrown clean energy future for us.”

The state’s trade unions are playing a major role in that clean energy transition — due to labor standards tax credits for things like paying workers prevailing wages and using registered apprentices, said Barrilleaux.

Emily Pritzkow, executive director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, said those labor standards tax credits help tie industrial expansion to pro-worker policies, helping to lift the pay and the quality of jobs and training throughout that clean energy industry.

“Over the past four decades, we’ve seen workers’ wages stagnate and economic inequality deepen, and we’ve also been watching this climate crisis that has a disproportionate impact on working class neighborhoods, communities of color and so forth,” she said. “This policy really aims to go right at that. It means the opportunity to create millions of good jobs, but also to advance that equity.”

Earlier this year, Wisconsin’s four major utilities made a pledge to hire union workers for all solar, wind and battery projects moving forward. At the time, the utilities said the move would help ensure they meet competitive labor standards.

Pritzkow called the agreement between the utilities and trades unions historic, saying it provides more certainty to union workers. 

“We’ve had a long relationship with the state’s major utilities, and are very often working on their projects,” she said. “That is not a new development, but the commitment to enshrine this in a partnership moving forward on renewable projects is a new one, and I think it really is a reflection of the quality of work our members provide.”

The report pointed to a few case studies, including two in the Badger State. 

One of those is the Apple River Solar Project in Polk County, which is a 100-megawatt solar project being built by union laborers. The report said the project broke ground this summer and will offset an estimated almost 150,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Another project listed is the Menasha Joint School District’s Maplewood Middle School construction project in the Fox Cities. 

According to the report, the school will have rooftop solar panels, battery storage and other energy-efficient features that are estimated to save the district $135,000 annually on energy costs. The district is also expected to utilize direct payments included in the IRA for nonprofits and local governments.

Barrilleaux said the Inflation Reduction Act incentives in the law — for businesses, nonprofits, local governments and homeowners — help build clean energy projects, boost electric electric transportation and assist families to weatherize their homes and save energy. 

She called the law “the most ambitious investment to fight the climate crisis” in American history.

“It’s really hard to overstate the impact that the IRA is having in Wisconsin right now, and it’s only been here for a couple of years,” she said. “I think everybody understands that big action needs to happen because we’re in a really critical situation. We need to cut greenhouse gas emissions from every sector of society, and the IRA is helping us do that.”

The Detroit Lions are officially in game week.

At long last, the countdown to game day has reached less than a week in Detroit. The offseason is over, and the most anticipated Detroit Lions season in recent memory will commence on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Rams.

As training camp is concluded, the Lions have whittled down their roster to the final 52 players. There is still an open spot on the roster as they enter game week, one that could be filled quickly.

Here is the first in a series evaluating the Lions’ roster, ranking the players based on impact they will have on the team’s success in 2024. Up first, players ranked 52 through 40.

52.) OT Giovanni Manu

Manu has exciting potential, but his adjustment curve is steep. As a result, he may spend most of the year as an inactive on game days and be little used in action. His practice reps will be vital to his development, and he could get a chance to serve in a depth role later in the year as he continues to grow.

51.) LS Hogan Hatten

Hatten beat out Scott Daly for the long snapper role in training camp and has clear athleticism. He will have a huge part in the efficiency of the field goal and punt teams and has intriguing ability as an overall athlete.

50.) QB Hendon Hooker

Hooker’s value to the team would skyrocket in the event of an injury, so continued development is important. He did enough in the preseason to unseat Nate Sudfeld as the backup, but has flaws within his game that can be corrected with improvement on the practice field.

49.) S Loren Strickland

An undrafted rookie out of Ball State, Strickland showed plenty of physicality throughout the preseason. He’s at the bottom of the defensive depth chart, but should see plenty of time on special teams.

48.) OL Michael Niese

The Lions elected to hold onto 10 offensive linemen at final cuts. With the returning depth, Niese must compete with Kayode Awosika to be utilized in a backup role at the guard position. He took some first team reps in training camp, though, and could wind up being a valuable depth piece down the road.

47.) LB Trevor Nowaske

The Lions brought Nowaske back on waivers after losing him last season to the Arizona Cardinals. He has special teams value along with some traits against the run and in coverage that could be useful.

46.) WR Isaiah Williams

Williams clearly showed his playmaking ability throughout the preseason, both as a receiver and a returner. Detroit has Kalif Raymond as the incumbent in the return game, so it’s uncertain how much action Williams will get in that area.

With Detroit also likely to elevate one of their plethora of wide receivers from the practice squad on game days as well, targets could be limited for the undrafted free agent. That said, it would be no surprise for the Lions to have some plays dialed up to get the Illinois product involved.

45.) S Brandon Joseph

A 2023 UDFA who spent all of last year on the practice squad, Joseph had a strong training camp and earned a job. He had an interception in the preseason opener and forced a fumble in the second game against the Chiefs.

For Joseph, there could be rotational opportunities for him to get snaps on defense. However, with Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brian Branch all in the mix at the position, he may be limited to special teams barring injuries elsewhere at the position.

44.) CB Khalil Dorsey

Dorsey started a pair of games for Detroit late in the year last year, but his biggest value comes on special teams. He’ll be a big part of the Lions’ kickoff and punt units, with the potential to line up as a gunner on the punt team.

43.) TE Parker Hesse

Hesse’s blocking ability earned him a spot. He’ll likely hold the fullback responsibilities as the third tight end. With only 14 career receptions, he may not be aksed to contribute much as a receiver. However, his blocking will be important for Detroit’s run-first attack.

42.) RB Sione Vaki

Like Williams, Vaki showed he’s capable of being a playmaker with the ball in his hands. However, he also faces an uphill climb for reps with Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Utah product is still learning the position after being a predominately defensive player in college. However, he clearly has instincts that could make him an asset in certain situations.

41.) LB Ben Niemann

Niemann is a journeyman who has plenty of special teams experience. He’ll be valuable depth on defense and likely will also be a core special teamer who can contribute a variety of ways in that area.

40.) DT Mekhi Wingo

Early in the year, Wingo’s role may depend on whether or not nose tackle DJ Reader is available. He has versatility to slide around the defensive line, though, and he could wind up getting plenty of snaps.

Wingo struggled at points in the preseason and is undersized, so time will tell what his immediate impact is. However, there’s plenty to like about his potential within Aaron Glenn’s defense.