by jboullion | Dec 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Fond du Lac Reporter:
MADISON, WI – December 16, 2009 – If you are considering replacing the older appliances in your home, 2010 may be the year to do it. Alliant Energy is encouraging its Wisconsin customers to take advantage of the new State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) next year to receive Cash-Back Rewards to purchase new ENERGY STAR® qualified or high efficiency appliances and equipment when they replace their used ones.
Starting January 1, 2010, as part of funding awarded to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – widely known as the federal stimulus package – all Wisconsin residents will have the opportunity to become more energy efficient while saving money through the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The initiative is being administered by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
“If homeowners have been considering purchasing new appliances at some point, it’s an ideal time to do so in 2010 under this program,” said Linda Mattes, Alliant Energy Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables. “Appliances, water heaters, and heating and cooling equipment are among the largest energy users in a home and replacing them with newer, more efficient models will save families money in the long run.”
by jboullion | Dec 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE):
(MADISON, Wis.)—The coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE) on Tuesday released a fact sheet detailing the errors with the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute’s (WPRI) November 12th report on the adverse economic effects of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming recommendations.
“The WPRI report is so wildly flawed that it has no place in any legislative debate on the task force recommendations,” said Thad Nation, executive director of CREWE. “Not only does the report analyze many policies that aren’t even included in the Clean Energy Jobs Act, but it takes a piecemeal approach, failing to analyze the cumulative effect the policies will have on our state.”
Among the errors included in the report, titled “The Economics of Climate Change Proposals in Wisconsin”:
• 8 of the 13 policies analyzed aren’t included in the Clean Energy Jobs Act
• Models policies that would impact the state’s general fund, despite the fact that the Clean Energy Jobs Act includes no tax increases
• Ignores the fact that low carbon fuels will be produced in Wisconsin and other
Midwestern states, while conventional gasoline is largely imported from overseas
• Fails to take into account decreased electricity demand due to energy efficiency and conservation investments outlined in the recommendations.
In addition, the authors of the report used a “black box” economic model to come to their conclusions – meaning the reader is only given the inputs and outputs, without any knowledge of how the statistical analysis was done. In order to allow others to properly analyze the report’s conclusions, the model that was used should be made publicly available for review.
by jboullion | Dec 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
With little fanfare, legislative leaders releases a copy of the bill to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Global Warming. Use these links to access:
+ Bill draft
+ Index to the bill
+ Short overview
+ Detailed summary
by jboullion | Dec 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Better Environmental Solutions and the Wisconsin Grocers Association:
Tomah, WI – With state and world leaders gathered in Copenhagen to talk about climate change, Burnstad’s European Market is one of the first grocery stores in the state to achieve the ‘Green Grocer’ certification, which assists grocery stores in achieving energy savings, sustainability and environmental standards.
“Burnstad’s Tomah European Market and the WGA’s Green Grocer Program show that businesses can reduce their costs, emissions and improve service with energy efficiency,” said Governor Jim Doyle. “This shows one concrete way for Wisconsin to be a leader to create green jobs and a green economy.”
The WGA Green Grocer Program recently won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency.
Burnstad’s Market upgraded their lighting and refrigerator compressor efficiency saving $17,703 and 228,446 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This is enough electricity to power 21 homes and the equivalent to taking 31 cars off the road. They will reduce CO2 emissions by 408,795 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions next year. Burnstad’s received a DOE Rebuild Grant to help upgrade food service equipment with Energy Star appliances.
“We are pleased to be one of the first grocery stores in the Wisconsin to be Green Grocer certified,” said Kent Burnstad, chair of Burnstad’s Markets. “We took many steps like more efficient refrigerators, lights, and motors to save energy and reduce our energy bills and carbon emissions. We save money that we can pass onto our customers and pass a better community onto our children.”
Offered by the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) to its members, the program is administered by Better Environmental Solutions, a Madison, Wisconsin-based environmental consulting firm. ‘Green Grocers’ also received energy efficiency and conservation programming support from Wisconsin Power and Light (WPL), an Alliant Energy company. The seven Green Grocer stores taking action will reduce 3,986,000 pounds of CO2 emissions and save 2,389,010 kilowatt hours of electricity next year, equal to taking 328 cars off the road.
by jboullion | Dec 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Mary Spicuzza in the Wisconsin State Journal:
For months, people have been asking store manager Rick Simler of Grand Appliance and TV about a new stimulus program that will provide rebates for energy-efficient appliances.
And for months, Simler has been hoping to get answers from state officials so he knows what to tell his customers.
“Almost everybody knows it’s coming, and people are asking,” Simler said, standing near a row of energy-efficient dishwashers. “And a lot of people are reluctant to make their purchases now because they’re waiting for the rebate to come out.”
But the wait for answers may be over soon. On Tuesday, Wisconsin was awarded $5.4 million through a federal stimulus program overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Wisconsin’s program is expected to start in early January and will offer mail-in rebates ranging from $25 to $200 on some energy-efficient appliances bought by residential customers. Select energy-saving, or “Energy Star,” appliances would qualify for rebates. Oil and gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and heat pumps likely will be included in the program.
by jboullion | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by RENEW Wisconsin:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2009
MORE INFORMATION
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Report: Wind Turbines Cause No Human Harm
Consistent with 10-plus years of commercial wind generation operations in Wisconsin, a national report issued today concluded that the sounds produced by wind turbines are not harmful to human health, according to the state’s leading renewable energy advocacy group.
Comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, the panel of reviewers undertook extensive analysis and discussion of the large body of peer-reviewed literature, specifically with regard to sound coming from wind turbines.
The panel was established by the American Wind Energy Association and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
“This report corroborates testimony that RENEW presented in the ongoing Glacier Hills Wind Park hearings at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission,” according to Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. In that proceeding, We Energies is seeking approval to construct a 90-turbine 162 megawatt wind park in northeast Columbia County.
by jboullion | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by RENEW Wisconsin:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2009
MORE INFORMATION
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Report: Wind Turbines Cause No Human Harm
Consistent with 10-plus years of commercial wind generation operations in Wisconsin, a national report issued today concluded that the sounds produced by wind turbines are not harmful to human health, according to the state’s leading renewable energy advocacy group.
Comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, the panel of reviewers undertook extensive analysis and discussion of the large body of peer-reviewed literature, specifically with regard to sound coming from wind turbines.
The panel was established by the American Wind Energy Association and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
“This report corroborates testimony that RENEW presented in the ongoing Glacier Hills Wind Park hearings at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission,” according to Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. In that proceeding, We Energies is seeking approval to construct a 90-turbine 162 megawatt wind park in northeast Columbia County.
by jboullion | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2009
MORE INFORMATION
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Report: Wind Turbines Cause No Human Harm
Consistent with 10-plus years of commercial wind generation operations in Wisconsin, a national report issued today concluded that the sounds produced by wind turbines are not harmful to human health, according to the state’s leading renewable energy advocacy group.
Comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, the panel of reviewers undertook extensive analysis and discussion of the large body of peer-reviewed literature, specifically with regard to sound coming from wind turbines.
The panel was established by the American Wind Energy Association and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).
“This report corroborates testimony that RENEW presented in the ongoing Glacier Hills Wind Park hearings at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission,” according to Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. In that proceeding, We Energies is seeking approval to construct a 90-turbine 162 megawatt wind park in northeast Columbia County.
“If there were a human health impact with wind generation, why are communities such as Rosiere in Kewaunee County and Montfort in Iowa County so supportive of the wind installations nearby?” commented Vickerman.
“The experience suggests that nearby residents gradually overcome any initial misgivings and accept the turbines for what they are: clean, visible, and environmentally benign producers of renewable energy,” he continued.
According to Dr. Robert J. McCunney, one of the authors of the national multi-disciplinary study and an occupational/environmental medicine physician and research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “There is no evidence that the sounds, nor the sub-audible vibrations, emitted by wind turbines have any direct adverse physiological effects on humans.”
Another member of the panel, Dr. Geoff Leventhall, an acoustical consultant on sound and health for more than 40 years, testified during recent regulatory proceedings on the proposed 162 megawatt Glacier Hills Wind Park in Columbia County.
“Attempts to claim that illnesses result from inaudible wind turbine noise do not stand up to simple analyses of the very low forces and pressures produced by the sound from wind turbines,” said Leventhall in sworn testimony.
The national study’s top findings include:
• “The sounds emitted by wind turbines are not unique. There is no reason to believe, based on the levels and frequencies of the sounds, that they could plausibly have direct adverse physiological effects.”
• If sound levels from wind turbines were harmful, it would be impossible to live in a city given the sound levels normally present in urban environments.
• “Sub-audible, low frequency sound and infrasound from wind turbines do not present a risk to human health.”
• “Some people may be annoyed at the presence of sound from wind turbines. Annoyance is not a pathological entity.”
An executive summary of the report can be accessed here (PDF, 81KB). The full report can be accessed here (PDF, 440KB).
by jboullion | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by in Business North:
A new Renewable Electricity certificate is starting in January at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College [WITC] Ashland campus. The certificate provides an individual with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, install and maintain solar (photovoltaic) and wind renewable electrical energy systems. . . .
Ted May, Academic Dean at WITC, and Rick Fairbanks from Northland College, have been meeting monthly for more than a year as part of an Ashland-area collaboration of educators. This certificate is one of the outcomes from these meetings, and it is also being offered to Northland College students as a technical minor. . . .
WITC’s Renewable Electricity certificate is ideal for individuals who have experience working as an electrical contractor/electrician and desire training with renewable energy systems; have a background in environmental issues and desire to supplement or update their renewable energy skills; or would like to begin work installing or maintaining in the growing fields of wind or solar photovoltaic energy systems.
The first two courses in the certificate start in January. One is Alternative Energy Overview, which will be offered on-line, and the other, Renewable Electricity, will run one evening per week through the winter/spring semester. For more information or to register within WITC’s Renewable Electricity certificate, contact Admissions Advisor Karen Hoglund at 715.682.4591, ext. 3195, or Ted May, at ext. 3252. The Introduction to PV Systems course will be taught the last two weeks of May 2010.
WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 30,000 residents of northwestern Wisconsin each year. As one of four campuses in the district, WITC-Ashland offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. WITC is a member of Wisconsin Technical College System. For more information, call 800.243.WITC or log onto witc.edu.
by jboullion | Dec 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chad Dally in The Daily Press (Ashland):
More than 100 scientists and researchers have called on Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation to support cuts in emissions and other policies to address climate change.
“Controlling carbon emissions will allow for Wisconsin and the United States to take full advantage of the clean renewable resources and energy efficient technologies that are available today,” the letter states. “A workable federal policy to combat global warming will also encourage researchers, investors, and businesses to accelerate development and deployment of next generation energy technologies.”
The House passed a climate bill earlier this year, but it is on the back burner while the Senate works through health care reform legislation. Wisconsin Democrats Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl last month signed a letter to Senate leaders urging them to tweak the permitting process under a cap-and-trade system to avoid a potential increase in energy costs. The letter from Wisconsin scientists was sent the day after the opening of the world climate summit in Copenhagen, with nearly 200 countries negotiating financing, emissions cuts and other factors involved with global climate change.
The letter also was issued on the same day the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its “endangerment” finding for greenhouse gases, ruling carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouses gases as a public health threat and giving the agency at least some regulatory authority outside of Congress.
Professor Jonathon Patz of UW-Madison, and a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said last week’s endangerment finding signals a stance from the EPA that climate change is a public health risk, and the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, therefore, should be regulated as a public health measure
“People think about the polar bears and think about the ice caps, but public health impacts from climate change are significant,” he said.
