A Study to Evaluate the Impacts of Increasing Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard Methodology, Assumptions, Scenarios, and Results by Steve Clemmer, Union of Concerned Scientists Bob Grace, Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC Karlynn Cory, La Capra Associates	460KB PDF Format July 8, 2003 This study presents the methodology, assumptions, and results of an analysis of increasing Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The study was prepared under subcontract with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as part of a larger study for the Wisconsin Division of Energy. The methodology, assumptions, and scenarios were developed in collaboration with these parties and underwent extensive review from the Wisconsin RPS Stakeholders Group. Adjustments were made to the analysis to incorporate feedback from the group, which includes representatives from utilities, environmental and public interest groups, and state agencies.
Cure Is Needed to Prevent Utility Overbuilding By Michael Vickerman	"It's hard to believe Yogi Berra didn't have electricity deregulation in mind when he said, "The future ain't what it used to be."
Another view on solar by Michael Vickerman Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin	"... knowing the generic net energy return of an individual energy resource tells us little about how it relates to other energy resources, and how it might function in a customized installation. In the case of PV, its value as a stand-alone energy system may be limited, but, when it becomes the driver for a building-wide package of conservation and sustainable energy measures, PV can engender far more impressive results than what could be accomplished through traditional linear thinking." "A Sustainability Topic"
Guest Column Customers, environment, hurt by state's current energy policy by Michael Vickerman Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin	Wisconsin State Journal--September 23, 2001 "There is a well-known phrase in military planning--"fighting the last war"--that aptly describes Wisconsin's current mindset on electric energy. Even though the extraordinary conditions that triggered the electricity shortages of 1997--extended shutdowns at seven area nuclear power plants, including both Point Beach units--are long gone, we remain haunted by that experience, and that spells trouble for ratepayers and the environment."
Wisconsin's Electrical Energy Situation in 2001 By Wm. Hurrle Also Available in Adobe format (175 kB)	September 25, 2001 "If it is the end of an era for IOUs, it is the end of an era for consumers, too. No more mindless slurping of cheap kWh. " "We've started the transition. We have to admit it, set goals and get on with it. Anything else prolongs the agony, increases the chaos and costs." 3 pages with large resource section "A Sustainability Topic"
A new study-- Repowering the Midwest by The Enviromental Law and Policy Center	February 14, 2001
Opinion: Many in the Dark About Energy	Wisconsin State Journal -- September 20, 2000
Siting Windpower In Wisconsin Anticipating Conflicts And Building Community Support	"People crave electricity for an ever-expanding list of reasons, but they don't want to acknowledge that almost all of it comes from power plants. We've become like people who enjoy eating steaks but object to slaughterhouses." Wind Energy Forum American Solar Energy Society Conference SOLAR 2000 in MADISON, WI 20 June 2000 Moderator: Michael Vickerman RENEW Wisconsin
Guest Column Candidates Must Address Energy Debate by Michael Vickerman Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin	Wisconsin State Journal -- June 5, 2000 "Of all the issues that George W. Bush and Al Gore would rather not debate during this presidential contest, none ranks higher than energy supply. Both candidates understandably regard energy politics--more specifically, petroleum prices--as electoral quicksand that can sink a presidential contender faster than you can say Jimmy Carter."
Comment on Energy Coal-burning Electrical Plants Should Become Fossils Authored by Howard Learner and Michael Vickerman	from the American City Business Journal --week of May 15, 2000 "We are not doing the economy and the environment any favors by propping up older coal plants past retirement age." "... 50 percent of the nation's coal plants began operating in 1964 or earlier, using a combustion process that wastes fully two-thirds of the energy in the fuel."
This growing problem is detailed in a publication titled "Energy Efficiency Crisis Report."  ** authored by Ben Paulos  and sponsored by Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Union of Concerned Scientists, and RENEW Wisconsin.	It's been five years since the debate over deregulating the electric utility industry began in Wisconsin, and it has ushered in some striking changes on the energy landscape.  Clearly the worst of these involves energy efficiency and conservation, which has all but has fallen off the map as a policy priority.  Once a national leader in pursuing energy savings, Wisconsin has been allowing its utilities to whittle down their investment in--and commitment to--energy conservation, even though complete deregulation appears to be several years away in Wisconsin. ** You'll need the Adobe Acrobat 3.0 Reader to view the "Energy Effficiency Crisis Report " This program is a free download from Adobe.
Comment On Conservation: Greener Wisconsin will be leaner Wisconsin authored by Ben Paulos	"It's clear Wisconsin is responsible for more than its share of global warming emissions and that reducing them won't be harmful to our economy. In fact, it will make our economy leaner and cleaner."
Wisconsin Climate Change Action Plan 56 page document in ".pdf" format 145 Kb -- The Climate Change Committe Wisconsin must be prepared to help facilitate the national and international greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. The committee was charged with the task of developing a strategic plan specifying the actions Wisconsin should take to address climate change issues. This climate change action plan was developed by the DNR with review and assistance from the Climate Change Committee. The discussion section that follows the action plan summarizes the viewpoints of different committee members on the recommended individual actions.	Summary of Wisconsin Greenhouse Gas Studies The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been studying Wisconsin's greenhouse gas emissions for several years. Four studies have been completed. The first study, completed in 1993, quantified Wisconsin's 1990 greenhouse gas emissions. [WDNR, 1993 (Report 1)] In the second study (documented in Report 2), emissions were projected through 2010. These studies found that Wisconsin emitted about 140 million tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in 1990, and these emissions are expected to increase to around 180 million tons by 2010, representing an increase of 28% in greenhouse gas emissions, or an annual compound growth rate of 1.2%. About 90% of these emissions are carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel combustion. The two main fossil fuel combustion sources are motor vehicles and electric utility power plants, each of which contributes about one-third of Wisconsin's total greenhouse emissions. The DNR, in cooperation with other agencies and organizations, has just completed the Wisconsin Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Cost Study [WDNR, 1998 (Report 3)]. This study examined a large number of potential greenhouse gas emission reduction measures and quantified the cost and potential emission reduction for many of them. It focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the electric utility and transportation sectors sincethese are the major sources. The study found that greenhouse gas emissions in Wisconsin can be significantly reduced at little or no cost. (Program implementation costs were not included in this analysis.) Through the use of energy efficiency measures alone, Wisconsin can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 million tons in 2010 while saving about $490 million in energy expenditures. In the fourth study, done by Leonardo Academy with input from the DNR and other groups, the impact on Wisconsin's economy of investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was studied (University of Wisconsin Consortium for Integrated Resource Planning, 1998). The study used an economic forecast model and found that the end-use energy efficiency measures documented in Report 3 would create 8,500 jobs in 2010 while increasing disposable income by $490 million and gross state product by $41 million. This study demonstrates that using energy efficiency measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Wisconsin benefits both the environment and the economy.