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32 | I nsIgh t • A u g u s t 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m i n s i g h t o n E n E r g y B y S e a n P. J o h n s o n T he University of Wisconsin– Oshkosh community has a long commitment to going green and reducing its dependence on fossil fuel-based energy. One of the state's early adopters of high sustainability standards, the UWO community has set high standards of using 100 percent renewable energy sources. While it has not hit that e wisdom of renewable energy NatureWise program helps companies meet sustainability goals, build future infrastructure target yet, more than 23 percent of the electricity it uses to light classrooms and provide power to dorms and other buildings currently comes from renewable sources – primarily wind. since the beginning, one of the important partners to attaining its goals has been Wisconsin Public services' natureWise program, which allows consumers – both business and residential – to purchase blocks of energy generated from renewable sources. "It was definitely a help in the beginning aer we signed the climate commitment when it allowed us to take a big chunk off of our carbon footprint without any upfront costs," Brian Kermath, sustainability director for UW-Oshkosh, says. "We could set up our own turbines, but that's a big cost and we don't necessarily get the best wind. With WPs, we are getting the best wind and the most efficiency in our kilowatt-hours." UW-Oshkosh has pledged to be climate neutral by 2035, though it plans to evaluate that target date as it continues to update its sustainability plan and add new renewable power sources. e university's biodigesters increase the amount of renewable power it has available, but that energy is sold on the open market to other entities that get the credits. WPs launched natureWise in 2002 as demand for renewable energy began growing at a rapid pace, as businesses and consumers became more environmentally conscious and state mandates for renewable energy were passed to encourage its use. e natureWise program [continued] »