by jboullion | Jun 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
HUDSON, Wis. (June 17, 2009) — Mobile home residents in the St. Croix area who purchase their gas and electricity from utilities who participate in the Focus on Energy Program, including St. Croix Gas, River Falls Municipal Utilities and Xcel Energy, have the opportunity for a free home energy evaluation and possible free energy efficiency improvements.
This initiative, called the Mobile Home Duct Sealing Pilot, is part of Focus on Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program, and is designed to create cost effective energy savings in mobile homes by testing for and correcting a certain set of inefficiencies, primarily leaky duct work. All testing and work is free to the mobile home owner.
The Mobile Home Duct Sealing Pilot, like Home Performance energy evaluations, uses the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment to test homes, identify problems and implement recommended improvements. Duct sealing and other improvements are then tested to ensure the work is done to program standards. Partnering consultants and contractors delivering the Pilot were selected through a competitive bidding process. All the services are free to the homeowner, and the entire process can be completed in one day.
by jboullion | Jun 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
Date: June 17, 2009
Contact: Noah Seligman, 608-215-9370
The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities passes AB 256, wind siting reform, on a 10-2 vote The 12-member Assembly Committee on Energy & Utilities voted 10-2 to advance AB 256 (Senate companion SB 185), wind siting reform, to the full Assembly. The vote was bipartisan, with six Democrats and four Republicans on the committee voting in favor of the bill. Wind siting reform has 20 cosponsors in the Assembly and 11 in the Senate, with support from both parties.
A substitute amendment was added on an 11-1 vote that would require the PSC to hold two public hearings outside of Dane County as part of its rule-making. The amendment also provided additional wildlife protections, technical changes, and inclusion of Smart Growth planning in regulating wind energy projects.
“The bipartisan committee approval demonstrates strong consensus on the need for wind siting reform,” said Curt Pawlisch, spokesman for Wind for Wisconsin. “Wind siting reform will be an engine for economic activity in Wisconsin, attract new investment opportunities, and support current state energy policy.”
SB 185/AB 256 directs the Public Service Commission (PSC) to initiate an administrative rule-making process to establish statewide siting standards for wind energy projects. The PSC is an independent regulatory agency dedicated to serving the public interest. The bill draft requires the PSC to establish an advisory committee of diverse interests to advise the Commission on the rules. The legislature will have the opportunity to review the proposed rules prior to their publication.
Wind for Wisconsin is optimistic that a floor vote in the Assembly would garner the same strong bipartisan support demonstrated in committee and among cosponsors.
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by jboullion | Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
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by jboullion | Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
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by jboullion | Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
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by jboullion | Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joel Dresang in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The United States Conference of Mayors has recognized the Milwaukee Conservation Leadership Corps as a good example of training young workers for green jobs.
The group cited the job training program Friday with a $550,000 check from the Wal-Mart Foundation, which Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said will be used for expansion. Barrett said the corps shows what private, public and nonprofit sectors can do together to develop workers while improving the environment.
The program involves Johnson Controls Inc. and the Student Conservation Association and trains disadvantaged high school students in conservation practices, putting them to work in Milwaukee-area parks. About 80 students will participate in the Milwaukee Conservation Leadership Corps this summer.
by jboullion | Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Wind for Wisconsin:
SB 185/AB 256 would direct the PSC to establish statewide siting standards for wind energy projects. Projects fewer than 100 MW in size would still be reviewed and approved by a local unit of government after the rules are adopted.
+ The status quo is the only approach to wind siting that would leave local control completely unchanged. The status quo has stalled over 600 MW of potential wind projects forfeiting thousands of Wisconsin jobs and millions of investment dollars.
+ The bill draft requires the PSC to establish an advisory committee of diverse interests to advise the Commission on the rules. Representatives from local units of government will be part of that advisory committee.
+ In 2006 the WTA passed a resolution at its annual convention entitled “Uniform Standards for Public Health or Safety of Wind Energy Systems.” The resolution called for uniform standards, and was the impetus for wind siting reform legislation.
+ The bill draft from the previous legislative session was negotiated with the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Towns Association. The WTA was in favor of wind siting reform last session while the WCA was neutral.1 The bill draft for the current legislative session is substantively similar.
+ An amendment from the Wisconsin Realtors Association (supported by Wind for Wisconsin) allows local governments to deny a project application if a project would be sited in an area that has been primarily designated for future residential or commercial development.2
+ Under SB 185/AB 256, local units of government would maintain their central role in the regulatory process for wind energy systems. Applications for wind energy projects under 100 MW in size would still be subject to review and approval at the local level.
Local governments would be responsible for enforcing permit standards. Local governments would maintain control over their roads including restoration requirements and regulating driveway use (access roads).
In the coming weeks, the state Legislature will have a chance to make it easier for clean energy creating wind turbines to proliferate in Wisconsin…Critics likely will charge that the bill is an attack on local control. However, it still lets local governments make wind-siting decisions, and allows those who disagree with them to appeal to the PSC and the courts.3
-Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
References
1 The WTA has registered in opposition in 2009. The WCA has remained neutral.
2 Maps adopted under s. 66.1001(2)(b) on or before June 1, 2009.
3 http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-opinions.asp?id=BJP8BE09JFU
by jboullion | Jun 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:
The world’s largest and longest-running energy fair is being held in central Wisconsin.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association is holding its 20th annual Energy Fair next Friday through Sunday at the ReNew the Earth Institute in Custer.
It feature hundreds of workshops and exhibits emphasizing clean energy and sustainable living.
General admission for the fair is $15 each day or $35 for all three days.
A major sponsor is Madison-based Focus on Energy. It works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency projects.
by jboullion | Jun 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Sharp in the Watertown Daily Times:
JEFFERSON – Area dignitaries turned out by the dozens Thursday afternoon to salute and support Jefferson business leader Steve Lewis as he embarks on his quest to generate clean, solar energy. Part of Lewis’ goal is to serve as an inspiration to others to undertake solar energy-capturing projects of their own.
Ninety-nine solar panels now sit atop the north roof of Lewis’ Jefferson Area Business Center (JABC) and provide emission-free, sustainable energy by converting sunlight into electricity. The photovoltaic, renewable energy system is the largest commercial project of its kind in the county.
Thursday’s reception at the JABC on Wisconsin Drive, just steps south of Highway 18, brought out a cross-section of community leaders, including Jefferson School District Superintendent Michael Swartz, Jefferson Mayor Gary Myers, city Administrator Tim Freitag, Jefferson County Board Chairwoman Sharon Schmeling and Watertown Daily Times Publisher Jim Clifford. Also in attendance were WPPI Energy President and CEO Roy Thilly, Emily Hickey from Focus on Energy and Al Dittmar of Carroll Electric.
“In making preparations for the project, my first analysis wasn’t how much the system would produce but how much I could cut my electrical consumption, because the best electron is the electron that is not used,” Lewis told the crowd. He added the unique project is another example of his propensity to undertake business projects using his heart as a guide.
by jboullion | Jun 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
Come relax with friends and make some new ones as we get together and discuss environmental issues that are important to YOU at Eau Claire’s first ever Green Drinks. Green Drinks is an opportunity for folks interested in “green” environmental issues to come together over drinks and conversations to find out what interesting things are going on in the Chippewa Valley. Green Drinks is unique because there is no agenda, there are no dues, there’s no board of directors – it’s just a social opportunity for people to come together and talk with other like-minded environmentalists about ideas, events, and issues going on around our community.
A common sentiment often heard in the local environmental community is that there is no clearinghouse of information regarding environmental issues. Green Drinks has already successfully served Wisconsin communities as a place to share ideas in La Crosse, Madison, and Green Bay – it’s time to add Eau Claire to that list!
Green Drinks Eau Claire
Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month
6:30-8:OOPM
Haymarket Grill
101 Graham Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
If you have any questions or ideas please email Tom Stolp or call 715-835-4248. For directions or more information on the Haymarket Grill visit http://www.haymarketgrill.com
