by jboullion | Jan 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
For immediate release
January 10, 2011
More information
RENEW Wisconsin
Michael Vickerman
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Landowners and Municipalities to Reap Millions from Wind Farm Operations for 2010
Owners of Wisconsin’s four largest wind energy projects will pay out approximately $2.8 million in rent to landowners hosting turbines and payments in lieu of taxes to local governments for 2010, according to figures compiled by RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
Wind energy developers negotiate lease agreements with landowners to host turbines on their property. Payments can be as high as $7,000 per turbine per year. Estimated rental payments to all Fond du Lac and Dodge county landowners will total slightly more than $1.2 million in 2010.
Towns and counties do not collect property taxes from wind turbines but instead receive payments based on the generating capacity of each turbine, allocated under a formula adopted by the Legislature in 2003. Payments to those local governments will reach almost $1.6 million for 2010.
“These revenues help support farm families and rural Wisconsin communities.” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. “It’s a much better deal for the state than sending dollars to Wyoming and West Virginia for the coal imported to Wisconsin to generate electricity.”
Gary Haltaufderheide, an employee of Madison-based Land Services Company, which negotiates land leases for large projects, like pipelines and wind turbines, says, “Farmers are smart business people and they’re very satisfied with the payments. One farmer saw the lease as a way to cover tuition payments for a child entering college.”
Four wind projects – Forward, Blue Sky Green Field, Cedar Ridge, and Butler Ridge – account for the payments to host landowners and local governments. Together these projects comprise nearly 90 percent of Wisconsin’s wind generation fleet.
When calculated over a 20-year contract period, total revenues should exceed $60 million, taking inflation into account.
Shirley Wind, the state’s newest wind power installation, will contributed another $80,000 a year, divided equally between Brown County, Town of Glenmore, local landowners, and neighbors within one-third of a mile of a turbine. The eight-turbine, 20-megawatt project began producing electricity in 2010.
Click tables to enlarge.
by jboullion | Jan 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
For immediate release
January 10, 2011
More information
RENEW Wisconsin
Michael Vickerman
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Landowners and Municipalities to Reap Millions from Wind Farm Operations for 2010
Owners of Wisconsin’s four largest wind energy projects will pay out approximately $2.8 million in rent to landowners hosting turbines and payments in lieu of taxes to local governments for 2010, according to figures compiled by RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
Wind energy developers negotiate lease agreements with landowners to host turbines on their property. Payments can be as high as $7,000 per turbine per year. Estimated rental payments to all Fond du Lac and Dodge county landowners will total slightly more than $1.2 million in 2010.
Towns and counties do not collect property taxes from wind turbines but instead receive payments based on the generating capacity of each turbine, allocated under a formula adopted by the Legislature in 2003. Payments to those local governments will reach almost $1.6 million for 2010.
“These revenues help support farm families and rural Wisconsin communities.” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. “It’s a much better deal for the state than sending dollars to Wyoming and West Virginia for the coal imported to Wisconsin to generate electricity.”
Gary Haltaufderheide, an employee of Madison-based Land Services Company, which negotiates land leases for large projects, like pipelines and wind turbines, says, “Farmers are smart business people and they’re very satisfied with the payments. One farmer saw the lease as a way to cover tuition payments for a child entering college.”
Four wind projects – Forward, Blue Sky Green Field, Cedar Ridge, and Butler Ridge – account for the payments to host landowners and local governments. Together these projects comprise nearly 90 percent of Wisconsin’s wind generation fleet.
When calculated over a 20-year contract period, total revenues should exceed $60 million, taking inflation into account.
Shirley Wind, the state’s newest wind power installation, will contributed another $80,000 a year, divided equally between Brown County, Town of Glenmore, local landowners, and neighbors within one-third of a mile of a turbine. The eight-turbine, 20-megawatt project began producing electricity in 2010.
Data tables
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a story on WKBT, La Crosse:
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The group advocating for a new series of high-voltage power lines has filed an application for a line that would cross the Mississippi River near Alma.
CapX2020, a partnership of 11 utility companies, filed a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC).
The proposed Wisconsin section Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse power line would begin near Alma, cross the Mississippi River and run 40-55 miles until it connects with an 80-90 mile segment in Minnesota.
“The project will improve reliability in the La Crosse and surrounding rural areas as well as improve access to generation,” says Priti Patel, CapX2020 co-director. “It will also ensure that local communities and customers continue to enjoy reliable access to affordable electricity.”
The 345 kV line will be constructed with single-pole steel structures spaced approximately 800 to 1,000 feet apart. Project construction is expected to begin in 2013, and the line will be energized in 2015.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nathanial Shuda in the Stevens Point Journal:
Leaders of a Wisconsin Rapids-based company planning to build a wind-energy components plant hope the project will invigorate local growth and revolutionize the industry.
On Tuesday, Wisconsin Rapids agreed to sell 54 acres of undeveloped land in the Rapids East Commerce Center to Energy Composites Corp., the parent company of Advanced Fiberglass Technologies. Company leaders, who announced plans March 31 to build a 350,000-square-foot facility, want to break ground on the project by the end of July. The plant, which will produce blades for wind turbines, is expected to add at least 400 local jobs.
“I am confident Wisconsin Rapids will be the epicenter of ‘green’ jobs and the wind-energy sector in Wisconsin,” said Energy Composites President Jamie Mancl, a Wisconsin Rapids native.
Other wind-energy companies and potential customers from around the globe already have expressed interest in Energy Composites’ future products and the training models it’s designing, said Sam Fairchild, the company’s chief executive officer. Officials continue to work with Mid-State Technical College and accreditation agencies to develop a global training standard for the industry.
Within the next several years, the need for alternative energy will expand and the Midwest provides the ideal location, with easy access and close proximity to the Great Lakes, Fairchild said.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission:
MADISON – A report, commissioned by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and prepared by the Energy Center of Wisconsin (Energy Center), shows that by 2012 the state could generate $900 million in net energy cost savings for each year energy efficiency program investments are made. The report addresses opportunities for electricity and natural gas savings across the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors.
The report states that annual reductions in electricity usage could reach 1.6 percent per year by 2012 while meeting needs of economic growth. Electricity usage in the state has grown roughly 1.2 percent per year since 2000. Annual reductions in natural gas usage could reach 1.0 percent by 2012. Natural gas consumption has declined since 2000 by 0.1 percent per year.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Wisconsin to grow the economy,” said Governor Doyle. “When energy costs are low, it frees up money for consumers to spend elsewhere and helps businesses to save money and so they can grow.”
“The study shows that it is possible to generate economic growth and change the trajectory of our energy use,” said PSC Chairperson Eric Callisto. “This study showcases the multi-faceted benefits of energy efficiency as a strategy.”
Savings from efficiency efforts for both electricity and natural gas would generate between 7,000 and 9,000 net jobs in Wisconsin. Susan Stratton, executive director of the Energy Center, agrees. Most important, she noted is the compounding effect of the economic benefits over time. “Each year that we invest in efficiency programs the dollars saved continue to accrue, economic development and job opportunities grow and greenhouse gas emissions drop further.”
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a letter to the editor by Matt Howard, a new resident of Bay View, as well as the Environmental Sustainability Director for the City of Milwaukee, in the Bay View Compass:
My name is Matt Howard, a new resident of Bay View, as well as the Environmental Sustainability Director for the City of Milwaukee. My office is exploring the feasibility of constructing a wind turbine in Bay View on Port property to supply the Port with clean, renewable energy. I wanted to give you some basic information on the options we’re exploring so that we as a community will have a more fruitful discussion next Thursday evening. (Thanks to Ald. Zielinski for organizing this meeting on my behalf.)
The purchase and construction of this turbine would be fully paid for through federal grant funds my office administers, as well as potential incentive contributions from Focus on Energy and We Energies. The federal grant can only be used for energy saving and renewable energy projects. We are looking at two possible site options on city-owned land near the lakefront: next to the Port Administration building at 2323 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive and next to the Lake Express Ferry terminal building. These sites are at the top of our list because (1) they are high visibility sites and thus could be a bold demonstration of the City’s commitment to renewable energy, (2) are somewhat removed from residences, and (3) just as importantly, the wind profile at these sites is among the best in the region.
The wind turbine options we are exploring are commercial scale (not utility scale) and, as a result, could range in total height from 115 ft to 156 ft, are 20 kW to 100 kW systems, and would generally be free from the noise and vibration associated with older, larger wind turbines. This is less than half the height of the utility scale turbines you may have seen in Fond du Lac County. Both wind turbines under consideration are made in the USA. We are diligently running economic analysis to ensure we wisely spend tax payer dollars.
by jboullion | Jan 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a column by John LaForge of Nukewatch, a Wisconsin-based organization, in The Capital Times:
The owners of two 40-year-old nuclear reactors at Point Beach, on Lake Michigan north of Two Rivers, want to increase the power output for each unit by 17 percent — from 1,540 megawatts to 1,800.
The gunning of rickety old nukes is getting a green light all over the region.
The Monticello reactor, 30 miles from Minneapolis, will boost its output to 120 percent of the original licensed limit — from 613 megawatts to 684. Monticello’s been rattling along since 1971, and it rattles badly. In 2007, a 35,000-pound turbine control box (6 feet by 6 feet and 20 feet long) broke its welds and fell onto a large steam pipe that was cut open, causing the loss of so much pressure that an automatic reactor shutdown was tripped. Decades of intense vibration and poor welding were blamed for the crash. The reactor had been operating at 90 percent power. So why not push the limits to 120 percent?
In 2009 the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission rejected claims that the accident record at the two Prairie Island reactors, south of Minneapolis, is so bad that its license extension should be denied. In May 2006, one of them accidentally spewed radioactive iodine-131 gas over 110 of its own workers, who inhaled it. Internal radiation poisoning is the kind for which there is no decontamination. Even so, the NRC could soon OK letting the Prairie Island jalopies run until 2033 and 2034, respectively, rather than shut them down in 2013 and 2014 as the license now requires.
Back in Wisconsin, Point Beach’s “extended power uprate” (EPU) plan was published in the Federal Register by the NRC Dec. 10. The draft environmental assessment and “finding of no significant impact” are hair-raising. The public has until Jan. 8 to comment.
Should we be skeptical? Point Beach has received two of only four “Red findings” — the worst failure warning available — ever issued by the NRC. In 2006, the NRC found that operators had harassed a whistle-blower who documented technical violations. In 2005, Point Beach was fined $60,000 for deliberately giving false information to federal inspectors. In May 1996, it was the site of a potentially catastrophic explosion of hydrogen gas that upended the 3-ton lid on a huge cask filled with high-level radioactive waste. The lid was being robotically welded when the gas exploded.
by jboullion | Jan 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Alliant Energy:
Biomass burns to resume at Nelson Dewey Generating Station in spring 2011
MADISON, WI – December 30, 2010 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, will build upon the success of its 2010 biomass test burns by expanding those efforts in 2011, burning larger quantities of biomass for longer durations at the Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville, WI.
WPL has received a Research and Testing Exemption (RTE) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) that allows for up to a 50 percent co-firing of biomass over a 12 month period within the facility’s two cyclone fired boilers. While that approval came this week, the 12 month period won’t actually begin until the test burns begin. WPL anticipates that will happen this spring.
“With the potential that biomass presents to create Wisconsin jobs and build upon a new and developing economic market for Wisconsin farmers, expanding our test burns at Nelson Dewey is the next step in our focus on balanced generation,” explains John Larsen, Senior VP Generation – Alliant Energy & President – WPL. “As we continue to manage costs overall as a company, we are also managing our generating fleet to reduce our reliance on market purchases and remain flexible to adapt to change.”
WPL will continue to examine a number of factors during the test burns in 2011, including environmental impacts, supply chain capabilities, material delivery and handling costs and the blending and combustion of biomass based materials within the current plant configuration. No permanent structures or modifications will be made to the existing facility’s equipment to accommodate the test burns.
by jboullion | Jan 4, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Craig D. Reber in The Herald, Dubuque, Iowa:
A wind-siting rule that took effect in Wisconsin on Jan. 1* could open the door to wind farms in southwest Wisconsin.
The rule provides a path for obtaining a permit to build a wind farm — as long as the project developers abide by the guidelines established by the state Public Service Commission. If a township or other municipality opts to regulate a wind-energy power system, its
ordinances can’t be more restrictive than the PSC’s rules.
Basically, the PSC’s rules trump any local ordinances.
In southwest Wisconsin, the new rule could pave the way for the development of the proposed White Oak wind project by Wind Capital Group that includes parts of Smel-ser, Hazel Green and Paris townships. The project has been on hold for more than two years.
“We believe that passage of the PSC’s rule will certainly set the conditions in place that make development of wind facilities much more possible in Wisconsin,” said Tom Green, Wind Capital senior manager of project development. “In reviewing the new rule and applying those rules to their plans for White Oak, they will have a better idea moving into Advertisement
the future of the viability of the project.”
Ron Brisbois, Grant County Economic Development director, said the new law will allow communities to plan and give wind developers the freedom to create wind-farm strategies.
“That was what everybody was waiting on,” Brisbois said of the White Oak project and another in northern Grant County. “This should allow them to move forward to secure financing and implement the design of the full layout of where the turbines will go.”
“It’s important,” said Joe Alt, of rural Cuba City and a participant in the White Oak project, discussing the new rule. “It’s definitely going to help get a wind farm going.”
* At the time the reporter wrote the story, January 1 appeared to be the effective date of the new rules. However, simple logistical delays in officially publishing the rule push the effective date to March 1.
by jboullion | Jan 3, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Judy Newman in The Capital Times:
W Solar Group, a privately owned company with technology for manufacturing solar panels, said it will move to Wisconsin and set up its corporate headquarters and a separate research and development center in Dane County. No specific locations were given in the announcement Thursday by Gov. Jim Doyle’s office.
The state Department of Commerce will provide up to $28 million in enterprise zone tax credits for the Chatsworth, Calif., company, which says it plans to invest more than $300 million in facilities in Wisconsin and create more than 600 jobs by 2015.
“W Solar Group was attracted to Wisconsin early in our search for a project location,” said Chris Hamrin, president and chief executive officer. “We are impressed with the high-quality work force, extensive supply chain and the commitment to producing world-class products.”
Established in 2009, W Solar has fewer than 20 employees, and all are involved in research and development, company spokesman Evan Zeppos said.
Plans call for opening the headquarters and research and development operations in the first half of 2011 and starting manufacturing in 2012.
Hamrin said the company is still considering sites for the headquarters, research and development center and manufacturing plant. A search online produced a location for the company in Wausau. Zeppos said Wausau is “one of several possibilities for manufacturing.” He said the bulk of the company’s jobs will be in production.
