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Advisory Groups

EDGE

In the Fall of 2017, the legislature enacted Act 70, directing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a pilot program to incentivize manufacturers who supported local economic development, while leveraging the unique benefits of redeveloping brownfields. The program was called the Economic Development and Green Environment (EDGE) pilot program, which concluded with a report to the legislature. While the pilot is no longer accepting new applicants, the individual components are still available to interested parties outside of the pilot program construct.

This page is a repository of information about the stakeholder groups that advised the DNR while establishing the pilot.

The EDGE Advisory Group consisted of stakeholders who were tasked to provide input to DNR staff on the implementation of the pilot program as outlined in the team charter.

EDGE advisory group members

Member Organization Email
John Antaramian City of Kenosha jantaramian@kenosha.org
Tim Hanna City of Appleton mayor@appleton.org
Arthur Harrington Godfrey & Kahn S.C. aharrington@gklaw.com
Jeff Jaeckels MG&E JJaeckels@mge.com
Paul Kent Stafford Rosenbaum pkent@staffordlaw.com
Dave Misky City of Milwaukee dmisky@milwaukee.gov
James Madlom Mueller Communications jason.scott@wedc.org
Sarah Slack Foley & Lardner SSlack@foley.com
Mark Thimke Foley and Lardner LLP mthimke@foleylaw.com
Ken Yass Geosyntec KYass@geosyntec.com

Meetings

Date Information
April 26, 2023
December 14, 2022
October 27, 2021
August 2, 2021
June 17, 2021
March 11, 2021
September 29, 2020
June 25, 2020
December 9, 2019
November 1, 2019
September 18, 2019
July 26, 2019
May 15, 2019
January 18, 2019
October 31, 2018
August 10, 2018
May 11, 2018
April 5, 2018

The EDGE Communications subgroup was tasked to develop a communication strategy and tools to promote the EDGE pilot to manufacturing businesses, real estate developers and local governments. The team developed the EDGE Communications Toolkit

Subgroup Objectives

  • Program vision & goals
  • Branding
  • Communications plan
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Funding opportunities
  • Outreach tools and materials
  • Outreach and recruitment

Subgroup Members

  • Renee Bashel - Wisconsin DNR
  • Raechelle Belli - Wisconsin DNR
  • Peggy Frain - Wisconsin DNR
  • Kevin Garstka, Attorney – Wisconsin DNR
  • Katie Grant - Wisconsin DNR
  • Kristin Hart, Permit Section Chief – Wisconsin DNR
  • Amy Litscher - Saga
  • James Madlom - Mueller Communications
  • Bill Nelson - Wisconsin DNR
  • Mark Thimke, Attorney - Foley and Lardner

Previous Meetings

Date Information
August 17, 2020
December 12, 2019
November 18, 2019
October 25, 2019
August 27, 2019
August 12, 2019
August 7, 2019
July 12, 2019

The EDGE Metrics subgroup was tasked to develop a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to show the costs and benefits of participating, the effectiveness of outreach efforts, and the overall success of the pilot. The DNR used these metrics to evaluate the program in the report to the legislature.

Subgroup Objectives

  • Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of success
  • Develop reporting criteria for EDGE participants
  • Collect testimonials for use in legislative report
  • Develop legislative report

Subgroup Members

  • Kevin Garstka, Attorney – Wisconsin DNR
  • Kristin Hart, Permit Section Chief – Wisconsin DNR
  • Jeff Jaeckels - MG&E
  • Bill Nelson - Wisconsin DNR
  • Michael Prager - Wisconsin DNR

Previous Meetings

Date Information
October 31, 2019
August 22, 2019
August 2, 2019
July 2, 2019

The Green Tier Registration Permit subgroup was tasked with exploring how air pollution control registration permitting elements could fit with Green Tier requirements to create a flexible new permit option. The subgroup advised the department on the development of the ROP-G air permit.

Subgroup Objectives

  • Provide feedback as the DNR develops a Registration Permit specifically geared to facilities with low air pollution emissions that operate under Tier 2 of Green Tier
  • Provide support to the EDGE Advisory Group

Subgroup Members

  • Mark Thimke, Attorney - Foley and Lardner
  • Patti Stickney, Environmental Consultant - SEH
  • Jeff Jaeckels, Environmental Manager - MG&E
  • Kristin Hart, Permit Section Chief – Wisconsin DNR
  • Kevin Garstka, Attorney – Wisconsin DNR

Previous Meetings

Date Information
January 29, 2019 Agenda
December 6, 2018 Agenda
November 7, 2018 Agenda
October 12, 2018 Agenda
September 14, 2018 Agenda
August 23, 2018 Agenda
July 12, 2018 Agenda
May 30, 2018 Agenda
April 25, 2018 Agenda

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