by jboullion | Oct 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Liz Welter in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune:
Creating energy from methane produced in cow manure could lead the way to local farmers generating their own electricity, said Tom Drendel, the former superintendent of the Marshfield University of Wisconsin Agriculture Research Station.
A coalition of area community leaders, of which Drendel is a member, is working to establish a Rural Energy Education Center at the agriculture station’s dairy farm, M605 Drake Ave., town of McMillan.
Farms may be the source for much of the nation’s alternative energy. Under the right conditions area farms can produce solar, wind and geothermal energy.
“There are all these different energy sources right here. We have a location to research and demonstrate this at our new site,” said Drendel, who, since retiring, is a researcher at the agriculture station.
About $3 million is needed to establish the center and equip the farm with a prototype methane digester designed for the average dairy farm of about 100 cows, said Scott Larson, executive director of the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Developing a digester feasible for average-sized dairy farms was an idea of a MACCI energy council subcommittee, Larson said.
“We know this is feasible for the very large dairy farms, but in this area, most of our farms are about 100 cows,” Larson said.
by jboullion | Oct 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
A news release issued by Wisconsin Farmers Union:
Chippewa Falls, Wis. (October 30, 2009) – The Wisconsin Farmers Union and other Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign partners will host a bus tour on Nov. 13 to highlight the benefits of four homegrown renewable energy policies promoted by the campaign and the opportunities for clean energy jobs in Wisconsin.
The four signature partners of the activities are Wisconsin Farmers Union, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin. The Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection and the Office of Energy Independence are co-sponsors of the event.
The bus tour will begin at 9 a.m. at the Montfort Wind Farm, 254 Highway 18, Montfort, Wis. The wind farm is an example of one way to reduce carbon emissions and emphasizes the campaign’s advocacy for a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard. A LCFS calls for a reduction in carbon emissions from transportation fuels, based on the carbon content of all fuels, and the transformation of the market.
The Fuels for Schools and Communities Program and the Biomass Crop Reserve Program will be addressed at the second stop on the tour – at the Meister Cheese Plant, 1160 Industrial Drive, Muscoda, Wis. The cheese plant uses a wood-chip heating system. Research at the University of Wisconsin will also be highlighted demonstrate the prospects for Wisconsin farmers to grow biomass crops.
Providing funding for schools and communities to install renewable energy projects that use biomass crops will create demand for renewable energy. The Biomass Crop Reserve Program provides incentives for farmers to meet that demand by growing biomass crops.
The third stop will be at the Cardinal Glass factory in Mazomanie, Wis. Cardinal Glass is one of the leading suppliers of glass for solar panels. The stop is an example of how homegrown renewable energy can provide jobs for Wisconsin.
Renewable energy buyback rates, the fourth component of the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign, will set utility payments for small renewable energy producers who want to feed energy into the electric grid. The tour will stop at a residential home in Ridgeway, Wis. using solar panels to feed electricity into the grid.
The bus will return to the Montfort Wind Farm at 5 p.m.
To register for the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign Bus Tour, contact Mike Stranz, WFU Government Relations Specialist, by Nov. 9 at 608-256-6661 or email mstranz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com. A $10 registration fee, payable by cash or check the day of the event, covers the cost of the tour, lunch and snacks.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Homegrown Renewable Energy Bus Tour.
by jboullion | Oct 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle [on Tuesday] announced the release to Wisconsin of over $97 million in federal funds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding released today is three quarters of the estimated $130 million in LIHEAP funding Wisconsin is expected to receive this year. . .
The funds released today will be used for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and assistance weatherizing low-income households.
Due to recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Effective with the beginning of the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. . . .
Payments under these programs depend upon household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance.
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
by jboullion | Oct 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle [on Tuesday] announced the release to Wisconsin of over $97 million in federal funds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding released today is three quarters of the estimated $130 million in LIHEAP funding Wisconsin is expected to receive this year. . .
The funds released today will be used for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and assistance weatherizing low-income households.
Due to recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Effective with the beginning of the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. . . .
Payments under these programs depend upon household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance.
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
by jboullion | Oct 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Public Service Commission will take public testimony on We Energies’ proposed Glacier Hills Wind Park.
Wednesday, November 4
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Randolph Town Hall
109 S. Madison St. – Friesland
Those opposed to wind projects will likely make arguments like the one below from letter-to-the-editor of the Manitowoc Times Herald. The writere offered this outrageous explanation for why the Legislature passed and the govenor signed the bill on wind siting reform:
Blinded by a feel-good solution for a problem that never existed [global warming], legislators are being misled into a belief that something like wind turbines will not have a negative effect on those who are left to live around
them . . .
To understand the problem you needed to be at the hearing in Mandison on May 12, held by the Senate and Assembly Energy Committee. . . .
It was obvious that the pro-wind lobby, paid with your tax money from RENEW Wisconsin, had the minds of legislators on their side long before the hearing.
Read more wild assertions from the letter.
by jboullion | Oct 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Public Service Commission will take public testimony on We Energies’ proposed Glacier Hills Wind Park.
Wednesday, November 4
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Randolph Town Hall
109 S. Madison St. – Friesland
Those opposed to wind projects will likely make arguments like the one below from letter-to-the-editor of the Manitowoc Times Herald. The writere offered this outrageous explanation for why the Legislature passed and the govenor signed the bill on wind siting reform:
Blinded by a feel-good solution for a problem that never existed [global warming], legislators are being misled into a belief that something like wind turbines will not have a negative effect on those who are left to live around them . . .
To understand the problem you needed to be at the hearing in Mandison on May 12, held by the Senate and Assembly Energy Committee. . . .
It was obvious that the pro-wind lobby, paid with your tax money from RENEW Wisconsin, had the minds of legislators on their side long before the hearing.
Read more wild assertions from the letter.
by jboullion | Oct 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
MADISON – Governor Doyle announced today that $500,000 in funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program are available to communities working toward energy independence. The grants are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will help communities create a plan to reach the Governor’s “25×25” goal of generating 25 percent of the state’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.
“Local communities are critical leaders in the state’s efforts to work toward energy independence,” Governor Doyle said. “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants will build on local leadership and invest in a clean energy future that will clean our air and water, create jobs, and save money for our citizens.”
The “25×25” Plan will help Energy Independent Communities understand their community’s overall energy consumption and create a plan to address opportunities in energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
The Wisconsin Energy Independent (EI) Community Partnership is the first of its kind in the nation and is an integral part of Clean Energy Wisconsin, Governor Doyle’s plan to move Wisconsin toward energy independence. The partnership includes counties, cities, villages, towns, tribes, and schools in the state that have committed to Governor Doyle’s “25×25” challenge. Currently, there are over 100 EI Communities, with 10 EI Pilots working on the inaugural “25×25” Plan.
Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence encourage communities to apply for the “25×25” Plan Grant. Communities that join the EI Community Partnership before the December 15, 2009 deadline are eligible to apply. To access the application go to: http://energyindependence.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=18164&locid=160
by jboullion | Oct 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
MADISON – Governor Doyle announced today that $500,000 in funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program are available to communities working toward energy independence. The grants are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will help communities create a plan to reach the Governor’s “25×25” goal of generating 25 percent of the state’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.
“Local communities are critical leaders in the state’s efforts to work toward energy independence,” Governor Doyle said. “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants will build on local leadership and invest in a clean energy future that will clean our air and water, create jobs, and save money for our citizens.”
The “25×25” Plan will help Energy Independent Communities understand their community’s overall energy consumption and create a plan to address opportunities in energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
The Wisconsin Energy Independent (EI) Community Partnership is the first of its kind in the nation and is an integral part of Clean Energy Wisconsin, Governor Doyle’s plan to move Wisconsin toward energy independence. The partnership includes counties, cities, villages, towns, tribes, and schools in the state that have committed to Governor Doyle’s “25×25” challenge. Currently, there are over 100 EI Communities, with 10 EI Pilots working on the inaugural “25×25” Plan.
Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence encourage communities to apply for the “25×25” Plan Grant. Communities that join the EI Community Partnership before the December 15, 2009 deadline are eligible to apply. To access the application go to: http://energyindependence.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=18164&locid=160
by jboullion | Oct 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Paulson in the Wausau Daily Herald:
CUSTER — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will use $270,000 in grant money to train its members in advanced photovoltaic technologies.
Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in Custer that the money is part of $2.6 million being distributed statewide for training in alternative energies.
Last week, MREA received a $3.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a regional solar training network.
Combined, the programs will fund training for hundreds of instructors, who can then take what they learn back to classrooms and workshops and train a new work force for a growing industry.
“We’re already seeing major new investment in solar operations,” Doyle said. “We want to make sure we have workers, skilled workers, who are trained in the technical skills needed for the installation of solar systems.”
Much of the renewable energy technology, while not exactly new, has not been widely available. Although many of the skills are similar to that of all electricians, additional training is needed.
“We have a lot of great skilled people, but for many of them, they came up as electrical workers or carpenters at a time when there was no renewable energy industry,” Doyle said. “Those are all skills that need to be taught.”
The IBEW grant will train 24 electricians, who will then train up to 180 students during the next three years.
by jboullion | Oct 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a blog post by Tom Content on JSonline:
Milwaukee will receive $650,000 and Madison will receive $370,000 from the federal stimulus package to advance their programs to develop solar energy. Milwaukee established the Milwaukee Shines program several years ago after it won funding for
The city will use the grant to establish a Solar Hot Water Business Council, with an eye toward linking its own solar initiative with the work of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council.
The Milwaukee Shines’ goal is to increase the number of solar installers and install more than 100 solar-electric and 50 solar thermal systems by 2012.
“What’s going to happen is we are going to be able to use less energy, at a time that that’s very, very important,” said Barrett during a news conference at the Milwaukee Public Library. The central library building is incorporating solar into a green roof that is now under construction.
The aim of the council is educate and enable local water technology manufacturers to shift into the growing solar industry, leading to the creation of a solar manufacturing cluster in the region.
Milwaukee Shines is particularly interested in helping manufacturers re-tool their facilities to start producing solar energy components, said Erick Shambarger of the city’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. “We believe this could become a niche market for Milwaukee.”
The proposed business council helped set Milwaukee’s application apart from others received by the Department of Energy. DOE received applications for funding from 25 different cities but granted funding to 16 cities, said Steve Palmeri, project officer with the U.D. Department of Energy in Golden, Colo.
