Wisconsin Targets 100% Carbon-Free Power by 2050, Boosts Youth Apprenticeships and Nuclear Study

*TL;DR: Wisconsin aims for 100% carbon‑free electricity by 2050, enrolls a record 12,141 high‑school apprentices, and allocates $2 million to study nuclear power sites.

Context Governor Tony Evers used his weekly radio address to link three pillars of the state’s clean‑energy strategy: a long‑term carbon‑free electricity target, workforce development through youth apprenticeships, and a new nuclear siting study. The announcements follow years of policy building, including the 2022 Clean Energy Plan and the creation of the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy.

Key Facts - The Youth Apprenticeship program reached 12,141 high‑school participants in the 2025‑26 school year, a 7% increase over the previous year and the fifth consecutive record enrollment. The program pairs students with employers in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. - Wisconsin officially set a goal to achieve 100% carbon‑free electricity consumption by 2050, aligning with the U.S. Climate Alliance’s commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement. - In July 2025, Governor Evers signed Wisconsin Act 12, earmarking $2 million from the 2025‑27 Biennial Budget for a nuclear power siting study. The study will be conducted by the Public Service Commission in partnership with the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.

What It Means The apprenticeship surge signals a growing pipeline of skilled workers ready to fill jobs the Clean Energy Plan projects will create—more than 40,000 positions by 2030. By investing $2 million in a nuclear siting study, the state is exploring a low‑carbon baseload option that could complement wind and solar, helping to meet the 2050 carbon‑free target without over‑reliance on intermittent sources. The combined focus on education, policy, and research positions Wisconsin to lead the Midwest in a diversified, climate‑resilient energy economy.

Looking Ahead Watch for the nuclear study’s findings and the next round of apprenticeship funding, which will indicate how quickly Wisconsin can translate its 2050 goal into on‑the‑ground infrastructure and jobs.