by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (June 1, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, recognizes that most of the more than 78,000 farms in Wisconsin are being hit hard by the current economic downturn. Focus has resources and incentives in place to help farmers and rural businesses meet these challenges.
“We know farms and rural businesses can use large amounts of energy in their daily practices. Focus on Energy can help reduce their energy consumption,” said Rich Hackner, sector manager for the Agriculture and Rural Business Program. “Focus recognizes the importance that energy savings can have on the overall bottom line and sustainability of many rural businesses.”
Focus is no stranger to assisting Wisconsin’s farmers and rural businesses. In 2008 alone, Focus on Energy helped implement 806 energy-saving projects at 687 farms and rural businesses statewide.
Focus will continue to help Wisconsin farms and rural businesses reduce operating costs by providing grants and incentives for the installation of energy efficient equipment. Changes large and small – from updating barn lighting and fans to milking and pasteurizing equipment with energy efficient alternatives – can have a significant financial impact.
How Focus on Energy Can Help
Focus on Energy can help by assisting farms and agribusinesses to look at how they use energy. By installing energy efficient equipment and changing processes agribusinesses can see results in increased profits and improved productivity. By providing expert advice, technical training and financial incentives, Focus helps farmers and rural businesses take the steps necessary to achieve these results.
Focus offers no-cost energy assessments with trained energy advisors to provide information on potential energy savings and incentives at farms that will help offset the costs. By assessing each farm, energy advisors can identify areas where the implementation of energy efficient systems and equipment will have the greatest impact on the efficiency of the overall operation.
Incentives Large and Small Available
Incentives and grants are available to help farmers and rural businesses implement many energy efficient technologies.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The first wind turbine development on the Great Lakes could be built within three years or so, experts on offshore wind power said during a conference Wednesday in Milwaukee.
The first project is expected to consist of three to five turbines just off the shore of Cleveland in Lake Erie.
The project is being pushed by the Cuyahoga County government as an economic development strategy to help boost the development of a wind-power manufacturing industry in a state that’s been hit hard by cutbacks in the auto industry, said Steve Dever of the Ohio Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force.
During the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative meeting at We Energies, experts on offshore wind in Wisconsin said they expect development to start slowly over the next few years. But the industry could grow rapidly from there, the experts said.
“In 2010-2013 you’ll see pilot projects get started. Then I think we’ll see incredible growth – really, really rapid growth,” said Tom Stanton of the Michigan Public Service Commission. . . .
Experts believe wind speeds are much faster over large bodies of water than over land, with parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior having stronger winds than Iowa and Minnesota, two of the leading states in generation of wind power.
Wisconsin is looking into Great Lakes wind power as one option for the state to generate more renewable energy that would help reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, said Deborah Erwin of the state Public Service Commission.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a guest column by Dr. John Clark, president of Mid-State Technical College, in The Sheboygan Press:
Last month, more than 400 students graduated from Mid-State Technical College at ceremonies in Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Stevens Point. Although locally and nationally, we are struggling in many areas of our economy, I am confident that graduates have made one of the best investments available in today’s world by investing in their education. The value of their degree will provide lifelong returns in multiple ways.
There is a growing recognition that Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges provide the critical foundation for the kind of broad-based work force development system that is needed to meet industry demand for skilled talent. I can attest that the quality of MSTC graduates is consistent and impressive. The primary reason individuals attend one of Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges is career preparation. They know the experience will provide them an excellent opportunity for a great job or an enhanced career.
Enrollment in associate degree programs, technical diplomas, certificate offerings and custom training typically mirrors the economy. As unemployment increases, more individuals turn to us for education and training. Technical college enrollment growth has been particularly notable in areas of Wisconsin hard hit by layoffs, such as at Blackhawk Technical College, serving the Janesville area, and here at MSTC. Both colleges have experienced double-digit increases in enrollment during the past year.
At the same time, we’ve been working closely with area employers to make sure that our programs are relevant. For example, some of the federal stimulus money anticipated to be received by technical colleges will be used to develop curriculum focusing on energy and utilities, conservation and construction. Creating a work force with these skills will help pave the way for the growth of green businesses. Here in Wisconsin Rapids, we’re pleased to be an educational partner with Energy Composites Corp. as it plans for a wind turbine factory.
Throughout Wisconsin, technical college leaders are looking closely at the field of green and renewable energy. Utility work in general has been a strong area of demand. People are being hired in electrical power distribution where there is a need for increased transmission capacity and system upgrades.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
+ Addison Wind Energy, LLC
+ AgWind Energy Partners
+ American Transmission Company
+ American Wind Energy Association
+ Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc.
+ Boldt Construction
+ Broadwind Energy
+ Citizens Utility Board
+ Clean Wisconsin
+ Construction Business Group
+ Customers First Coalition
+ Dairyland Power Cooperative
+ EcoEnergy, LLC
+ Emerging Energies, LLC
+ Federal Marine Terminals, Inc.
+ Fednav
+ Great Lakes Utilities
+ Horizon Wind Energy
+ Iberdrola Renewables
+ IBEW 2150
+ IBEW 965
+ Invenergy, LLC
+ IUOE Local 310
+ Lake Michigan Wind and Sun
+ League of Women Voters – Wisconsin
+ Madison Gas & Electric
+ Michels Wind Energy
+ Midwest Renewable Energy Association
+ Midwest Wind Energy
+ Municipal Electric Utilities of WI
+ Natural Resources Consulting, Inc.
+ Operating Engineers Local #139
+ Orion Construction Group
+ Orion Energy Systems
+ Port of Milwaukee
+ Renewegy
+ RENEW Wisconsin
+ Ritger Law Office
+ Seventh Generation Energy Systems
+ Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter
+ Union of Concerned Scientists
+ United Steel Workers
+ Uriel Wind, LLC
+ Wausaukee Composites
+ Wisconsin Agribusiness Council
+ Wind Capital Group
+ Wind on the Wires
+ Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association
+ Wisconsin Environment
+ Wisconsin Farmers Union
+ Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
+ Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group (WIEG)
+ Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council
+ Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association
+ Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters
+ Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
+ WPPI Energy
+ Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters
+ Wisconsin Utilities Association
+ Xcel/Northern States Power-Wisconsin
Note: while the endorsing entities support statewide permitting standards for wind energy, this should not be construed as a blanket endorsement of future legislative or regulatory changes to permitting wind energy systems in Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
SB 185/AB 256 as drafted will signal the growing wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business, making our state more competitive in attracting investment capital. Please support SB 185/AB 256 to help secure Wisconsin’s economic future.
• 1,000 MW of new wind development in Wisconsin would create over 3,000 new jobs and provide $1.1 billion in economic benefit.1
• Wisconsin ranks fourth among states in terms of potential job gain, and fifth nationally for potential investment.2 The 396 MW of wind energy installed in Wisconsin in 2008-09 will contribute nearly $3 million a year to local economies.
• Municipalities and counties hosting wind facilities can receive $2,000 per megawatt of capacity per year under the state utility credit (subject to per capita limits) and an additional $2,000 per megawatt of capacity per year because wind facilities produce renewable energy (not subject to per capita limits).3 A 100 megawatt wind facility would contribute up to $400,000 per year in property tax relief.
• The New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin.
“This [American Wind Energy Association] report illustrates the economic growth opportunities that exist in the wind energy industry for the New North…this emerging industry is developing rapidly and we’re well-positioned as a region to take advantage of it.”4
“We’re excited about the growth potential this industry has, as well as the potential impact it has on job growth and expansion in our region.”5
-Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of New North
References
1 U.S. Department of Energy. “Economic Benefits, Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reductions, and Water Conservation Benefits from 1,000 MW of New Wind Power in Wisconsin” October 2008
2 Renewable Energy Policy Project. “Component Manufacturing: Wisconsin’s Future in the Renewable Energy Industry.” January 2006.
3 WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE FISCAL BUREAU, SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM (COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL AID AND UTILITY AID) (2007), available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/Informationalpapers/18.pdf.
4 http://www.thenewnorth.com/resources/995.pdf
5 http://www.thenewnorth.com/resources/993.pdf
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (June 1, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, recognizes that most of the more than 78,000 farms in Wisconsin are being hit hard by the current economic downturn. Focus has resources and incentives in place to help farmers and rural businesses meet these challenges.
“We know farms and rural businesses can use large amounts of energy in their daily practices. Focus on Energy can help reduce their energy consumption,” said Rich Hackner, sector manager for the Agriculture and Rural Business Program. “Focus recognizes the importance that energy savings can have on the overall bottom line and sustainability of many rural businesses.”
Focus is no stranger to assisting Wisconsin’s farmers and rural businesses. In 2008 alone, Focus on Energy helped implement 806 energy-saving projects at 687 farms and rural businesses statewide.
Focus will continue to help Wisconsin farms and rural businesses reduce operating costs by providing grants and incentives for the installation of energy efficient equipment. Changes large and small – from updating barn lighting and fans to milking and pasteurizing equipment with energy efficient alternatives – can have a significant financial impact.
How Focus on Energy Can Help
Focus on Energy can help by assisting farms and agribusinesses to look at how they use energy. By installing energy efficient equipment and changing processes agribusinesses can see results in increased profits and improved productivity. By providing expert advice, technical training and financial incentives, Focus helps farmers and rural businesses take the steps necessary to achieve these results.
Focus offers no-cost energy assessments with trained energy advisors to provide information on potential energy savings and incentives at farms that will help offset the costs. By assessing each farm, energy advisors can identify areas where the implementation of energy efficient systems and equipment will have the greatest impact on the efficiency of the overall operation.
Incentives Large and Small Available
Incentives and grants are available to help farmers and rural businesses implement many energy efficient technologies.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a letter to the editor of The Capital Times on June 11 by Scott Ribin:
Dear Editor: I’m writing in regard to recent letters about wind energy in Wisconsin. In my opinion, one of the best reasons to use more wind energy is that it will strengthen our economy.
First, using wind power will allow us to stop importing fossil fuels from out-of-state sources, which will lead to the creation of thousands of in-state middle-class manufacturing jobs, an area hit hard by the recent recession.
Second, constructing wind farms is also more cost-effective than building new coal or nuclear power plants because they have a greater direct impact on the local economy.
Third, northeastern Wisconsin is one of the best areas in the country to construct and place turbines because of its wind strength and speeds. This area already has a well-developed manufacturing base that is eager to thrive under a renewable revolution.
Wind power also will lower health care spending. Fossil fuel use is directly related to rising asthma and lung cancer prevalence rates. This especially occurs in lower-income families without insurance, further increasing health care costs.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
2009
06.16.09 Wind Siting and Local Control
06.15.09 Wind Energy is a Safe, Proven Technology
06.10.09 Wind Energy is Popular
06.09.09 PSC Sensible Agency for Wind Rule-making
06.04.09 Wind Siting Reform Supports State Policy
06.09 Wind Energy = Jobs
06.09 Wind Energy = Wisconsin Investment
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
2009
06.12.09 Unnecessary obstacles – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
05.16.09 A wind for wind power in Wisconsin – Wisconsin State Journal
04.19.09 Have uniform rules for siting wind turbines – Sheboygan Press
04.19.09 State should loosen read tape that restricts wind power – Eau Claire Leader
04.03.09 Enact statewide standards for wind turbines – The Tomah Journal
03.08.09 Don’t blow chance for wind power – Wisconsin State Journal
01.28.09 Not-in-my-backyard attitude a continuing problem – The Country Today
2008
02.26.08 Blowin’ in the wind – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
by jboullion | Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a post on Tom Content’s blog on JSOnline.com:
Wisconsin’s clean-energy economy is smaller than the national average and lost jobs between 1997 and 2007, a new report published Thursday says.
Wisconsin employed more than 15,000 jobs in the clean-energy sector, according to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts. But employment in the clean sector fell 5% during that decade, at a time the state’s overall job growth was more than 3%, according to the report.
As a result, the company ranks with Maryland, Utah and West Virginia as states where the clean-energy sector is described as “small and losing.”
Despite that stark description, Wisconsin ranked well in one area, the report found. With 2,801 people employed in the energy efficiency field, Wisconsin employed more people in this area than all but five other states.
The state has attracted $46 million in clean-technology venture capital in the past three years, but even that pales in comparison with other states. Wisconsin ranks behind Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota in raising clean-tech funding — ranking 24th among all states and the District of Columbia.
The Pew report, “The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments Across America,” found there were 68,200 businesses nationwide in the clean-energy sector, accounting for 770,000 jobs.
