MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle is putting the chairman of Madison Gas and Electric Co. in charge of figuring out how to quickly and efficiently spend billions of dollars of economic stimulus money coming from the federal government.

"This new group will start laying the groundwork for quickly moving the federal stimulus money out the door, to maintain jobs, to create new jobs and to invest in economic growth in the state," Doyle said.

Doyle said he understands there may be potential conflicts of interest for Gary Wolter in the position, especially since much of the money is coming for energy projects. But Doyle said he's talked with Wolter about it and expects him to step aside when there is a conflict.

Wolter is volunteering to be in charge of a new office to deal with the federal money. His assistant is Alan Fish, a vice chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Doyle says about 15 employees will be assigned to work in the office.