Only 5.4 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity comes from renewable energy like wind, solar or biomass, and half of the renewable energy the state uses comes from out of state.

Because we are so dependent on purchasing fuel for electricity, heat and transportation from sources outside of Wisconsin, the state spends roughly $16 billion a year to import coal, petroleum and natural gas.

“Imagine if we could circulate some of that $16 billion back into the state,” said Don Wichert, an adviser with ReNew Wisconsin. “That would create a lot of jobs.”

The Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters recommends the state intentionally set the goal of reducing its fossil fuel emissions by 80 percent by 2050, in keeping with goals set by the international scientific community, said executive director Jane Elder.

Elder detailed possible approaches to meeting that target in “The Way Forward,” one chapter in the Climate Forward report that will be released in mid-June.

The project steering committee recommended the state should include increasing the amount of electricity generated from renewables by 1 to 1.5 percent a year and boosting energy efficiency by 2 percent a year.