Andy Olsen

Andy Olsen is a senior policy advocate at ELPC, leading the Farm Bill Clean Energy and Rural Solar programs. His work has been reflected in Farm Bill legislation and rules, and thousands of clean energy projects. Andy has worked for years to advance clean energy in Wisconsin, in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Andy managed Wisconsin’s Alternative Fuels Task Force, where he drafted the proposal that led to the first-ever manufactured E85 vehicles, under former Gov. Tommy Thompson. He led several collaborative renewable energy efforts in Wisconsin and published numerous energy reports. Andy served in local elected office, winning three terms to the Dane County Board of Supervisors, as a Madison alder and commissioner of the Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission. He enjoys the outdoors and recreational forestry.

WHAT’S A PLACE YOU LOVE IN THE MIDWEST?

I love Wisconsin’s unique Driftless Area and we keep discovering hidden treasures there in the beautiful and ancient landscape. The rural character is unique and the people friendly and often progressive. I wish the best for the people and land.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?

My earliest memory was finding an ecology flag button along a road as a kid in Hoffman Estates on my way to a local swamp that we loved, full of all manner of critters. As the area was developed the swamp was lost along with much else, sparking ecological concern.