by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
(October 1, 2009) – Wisconsinites continue to realize the financial and energy savings of installing ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their homes. And now, for a limited time, Focus on Energy is offering CFLs for a discounted price at participating retail locations throughout the state.
Focus, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy information, is launching the annual promotion October 1, 2009.
CFLs that have earned the ENERGY STAR last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and are 75 percent more efficient – saving as much as $30 over the course of their lifetime. In addition, the bulbs produce 75 percent less heat than their standard counterparts, making them safer to operate.
“Over the past several years, thousands of residents throughout Wisconsin have reduced their energy use and utility bills by installing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, but there are still many who have not made the switch,” said Rhonda Pittman, Lighting Program Manager. “In these tough economic times, there is no better time to install a product that will save money while also helping Wisconsin’s environment.”
While financial savings associated with using CFLs remain one of the primary reasons Wisconsin residents opt for them, CFLs also offer environmental benefits. Because qualified bulbs use so much less energy to operate, less pollution is being generated.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in Northland’s News Center:
Governor Jim Doyle is urging Wisconsin residents to take action now to keep their households warm during this winter.
Residents are urged to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected and to take advantage of the state’s energy-efficiency programs as well low-income bill payment assistance programs to ease the burden of household energy costs during the winter season.
“During a Wisconsin winter, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes,” Governor Doyle said. “There are many programs in place to ensure that hard working low-income households make it safely through the season and now is the time to take advantage of the services the state offers.”
Under Wisconsin law, consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15 so long as they are connected at the start of the moratorium. . . .
Residents may also qualify for assistance paying their heating bill through 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 weatherizing low-income households. . . .
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 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Charles Menchaca in the Wausau Daily Herald:
System will generate about 8 percent of East High’s electricity
Wausau East High School on Wednesday received a 155-foot-tall addition to its campus, one that will help save money and help students be part of the green revolution, educators said.
Technicians erected the first of two wind turbines on the school grounds. Students, school staff members and curious residents watched the construction throughout the day.
The first structure, known as the Northwind 100, will generate 100 kilowatts of power and has a rotor diameter of 21 meters. It is the largest wind turbine in Marathon County and the first of its kind on Wisconsin public school property, Wausau East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke said.
To fund the project’s estimated $647,000 cost, Ebbecke pursued and received contributions from several public and private sources, including the Walter Alexander Foundation and the Wausau School District.The district could contribute up to $50,000 in public money for startup costs and will pay about $4,000 for maintenance on the two turbines every year.
A smaller turbine and a photovoltaic system also will be installed at East this year. The turbines are at the forefront of the district’s plans to teach students about renewable energy. Ebbecke continues to work with other teachers to develop wind-energy curriculum, and some of their lesson plans will be used this school year.
“I think it’s important to teach (students) to make responsible decisions and that there are other choices out there regarding their energy,” Ebbecke said.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Business Journal of Milwaukee:
The Wisconsin Technical College System board has unanimously approved a $6.9 million solar education farm, the largest in the state of Wisconsin, to be built on Milwaukee Area Technical College land in Milwaukee.
The farm, a collaborative project between MATC and Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI), was approved Wednesday at a meeting in Rhinelander.
The farm will be located on MATC-owned property at 810 E. Capitol Drive in Milwaukee. The farm will serve as a training center for technicians, designers, site assessors, electricians, sales personnel and other professionals in the fields of renewable energy.
The 32-acre property is located along the west bank of the Milwaukee River. Construction on the farm is pending receipt of a required permit issued by the city of Milwaukee. That process begins in two weeks.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
NEW BERLIN – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 185, creating more uniform standards for siting wind projects and strengthening Wisconsin’s wind industry.
“With our resources and strategic location, we have a tremendous opportunity to become a worldwide leader in wind energy,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill is a clear statement to the wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business and will create more jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.”
The legislation accomplishes an integral recommendation of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the construction and operation of wind energy systems. It allows proposed wind energy systems that are one megawatt or larger to appeal decisions by local authorities with the PSC.
Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. Governor Doyle created the Task Force on Global Warming to bring together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environment leaders to examine the effects and solutions to global warming in Wisconsin. Using current national and local research, the task
force analyzed possible solutions to global warming challenges that pose a threat to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental health. The task force is charged with creating a state plan of action to deliver to the Governor to reduce Wisconsin’s contribution to global warming.
Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts; and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and
available to all.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is sponsoring its annual Wisconsin Solar Tour this weekend.
The tour showcases businesses and homes that are energy efficient, sustainable or are powered with renewable energies.
Organizers expect a big turnout this year as more and more people are looking to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes and look to alternative energy. On top of normal grants given out by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is giving additional tax incentives — typically up to 30 percent — to people doing such projects.
There are several Marathon County businesses and homes participating in the tour. For a complete list visit the-mrea.org.
The business portion of the tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Home tours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
If you’re in the Stevens Point area this weekend, Wisconsin Public Service, in conjunction with MREA, is sponsoring guided bus tours of local solar homes and businesses as part of the annual Wisconsin Solar Tour.
More information and registration details here.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
NEW BERLIN – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 185, creating more uniform standards for siting wind projects and strengthening Wisconsin’s wind industry.
“With our resources and strategic location, we have a tremendous opportunity to become a worldwide leader in wind energy,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill is a clear statement to the wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business and will create more jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.”
The legislation accomplishes an integral recommendation of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the construction and operation of wind energy systems. It allows proposed wind energy systems that are one megawatt or larger to appeal decisions by local authorities with the PSC.
Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. Governor Doyle created the Task Force on Global Warming to bring together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environment leaders to examine the effects and solutions to global warming in Wisconsin. Using current national and local research, the task
force analyzed possible solutions to global warming challenges that pose a threat to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental health. The task force is charged with creating a state plan of action to deliver to the Governor to reduce Wisconsin’s contribution to global warming.
Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts; and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and
available to all.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by K.J. Lang in the La Crosse Tribune:
Some University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students want to kick coal off campus.
Students plan to rally at 3 p.m. today to show their opposition to UW-L burning coal for heating. Similar rallies will happen across the nation as part of the Sierra Club’s “National Day of Action.”
UW-L is among nine UW campuses still using coal, according to the state Department of Administration. Yet of the 1,925 facilities that report air emissions in Wisconsin, only 50 burned coal in 2008, said Ralph Patterson, emission inventory team leader for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Several speakers at UW-L will talk about the effect burning coal has on climate change, human health and clean air.
“Coal is a dirty, outdated way to be powering our campuses and health facilities,” said Jennifer Feyerherm, director of Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Campaign for Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club contends UW-L, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout all are in violation of the Clean Air Act because they didn’t install modern pollution controls when making plant renovations, said Feyerherm.
The Department of Administration considers the four UW plants to be in compliance, said Emily Winecke, communications specialist with the department.
by jboullion | Sep 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story on WEAU-TV:
Teachers, students, and local professionals gathered Friday to talk about ways to prepare for energy usage in the future.
The event called “Tomorrow’s Energy Technology” was held at CVTC in Eau Claire Friday.
Business people from agriculture, construction, transportation, and energy industries talked about the trends, challenges, and opportunities coming in the future of energy.
CVTC President Bruce Barker says “As our economy recovers we have to look at what the new growth industry is, and in West Central WI, renewable fuel can certainly be a growth industry.”
by jboullion | Sep 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
Two surveys released on September 28, 2009, produced widely different results on Wisconsinites’ opinions on climate change and renewable energy.
From a news release about the survey conducted by the Forest County Potawatomi:
[Crandon, Wisc.] In anticipation of state legislation to reduce greenhouse gasses which cause climate change, a recent statewide poll shows a majority of Wisconsin voters favor action by the State of Wisconsin to reduce carbon emissions.
When asked, “Do you favor or oppose the State of Wisconsin taking action to reduce (its) emissions of gases like carbon dioxide in Wisconsin that cause global warming?” nearly three-fourths of voters (70%) favor the State of Wisconsin taking action to reduce carbon emissions. Only 24% of voters oppose taking action.
Support for action to reduce emissions also crosses party lines, with majorities of Republicans (53%), independents (67%) and Democrats (87%) favoring action by the State of Wisconsin.
“Carbon pollution threatens to dramatically change our world for the worse,” said Forest County Potawatomi Attorney General Jeff Crawford. “We have a responsibility to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the environment.”
The poll also found that two-thirds of Wisconsin voters favor requiring utilities to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
From the press release on the survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce:
MADISON – With jobs dominating the public’s mind, a statewide poll of voters found over 60 percent say Wisconsin should not enact its own global warming policies, favoring national and international approaches, WMC reported Monday.
Also, voters oppose global warming proposals that hit them in the pocketbook with increased energy prices or potential job losses, the poll found. In 2007, Governor Jim Doyle convened a Global Warming Task Force that called for numerous new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The Legislature is likely to consider some of those proposals later this session.
