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.
by jboullion | Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Wisconsin Farmers Union:
Chippewa Falls, Wis. (June 10, 2009) – The International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA) announced today that it is working with the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence along with agencies and groups across the region to present its next series of educational workshop programs. The two-day Intensive workshops, (June 27 and 28 in Osseo, WI and July 6 and 7 in Madison, WI) promote rural and urban economic revitalization and non-exportable job creation through the optimized production of food and fuel source crops and related by-products.
The workshops will be led by David Blume, renowned Permaculture and Biofuels expert and author of Alcohol Can Be A Gas. Mr. Blume, is the recent author recipient of the American Corn Growers Association’s Truth in Agricultural Journalism award, and will teach attendees how they can:
•Earn federal and state renewable energy tax incentives that can offset as much as 80% of the startup costs for a small-scale alcohol fuel business.
•Beat the fuel and food price increases predicted for 2009.
•Produce clean alcohol fuel for less than a dollar per gallon from waste, toxic and spoiled food, common weeds, as well as high-return crops.
by jboullion | Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
Wind energy is surging in popularity because it spurs economic development and benefits the environment. An organized, vocal minority opposes wind energy development. However, the real world experience of successful wind energy development reaffirms the near universal support for wind energy. In fact, wind energy remains popular in areas of Wisconsin faced with siting challenges.
• A poll of voters in the Evansville Water and Light service area showed that 76% support wind power for the area, with less than 6% in opposition. Similar results were found in the Town of Union, with 72% supporting a wind project in the Town, and just 8% against.1
• A poll of voters in Calumet County overwhelmingly favored building new wind farms in the County. A full 70% of voters supported building new wind farms, including a plurality (45%) of voters living near the proposed projects.2
• In 2008, the U.S. wind industry installed 8,358 MW of new generating capacity, enough to serve over 2 million homes. The nation’s wind power generating capacity grew by 50%, and represents an investment of $17 billion into the economy.3
• The U.S. market for small wind turbines – those with capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) and less – grew 78% in 2008. U.S. manufacturers sold about half of all small wind turbines installed worldwide last year. U.S. market share amounted to $77 million of the $156 million global total.4
• There are over 120 Gigawatts5 of wind turbines installed worldwide, and since 2005, global wind generation capacity has more than doubled. Currently, 76 countries are using commercial wind energy.6
• The U.S. military uses wind turbines to reduce fuel costs and the need for fuel shipments in dangerous areas.7
———-
1 “Evansville Area Public Opinion Survey on Wind Power.” April 29, 2008
2 “Wind Farms in Calumet County.” October 18, 2007
3 http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/wind_energy_growth2008_27Jan09.html
4 http://awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Reports_Small_Wind_Market_Growth_052809.html
5 1 Gigawatt = 1 billion watts.
6 http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2008_s.pdf
7 http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0907/p01s04-usmi.html
by jboullion | Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a fact sheet issued by Wind for Wisconsin:
Wind energy is surging in popularity because it spurs economic development and benefits the environment. An organized, vocal minority opposes wind energy development. However, the real world experience of successful wind energy development reaffirms the near universal support for wind energy. In fact, wind energy remains popular in areas of Wisconsin faced with siting challenges.
• A poll of voters in the Evansville Water and Light service area showed that 76% support wind power for the area, with less than 6% in opposition. Similar results were found in the Town of Union, with 72% supporting a wind project in the Town, and just 8% against.
• A poll of voters in Calumet County overwhelmingly favored building new wind farms in the County. A full 70% of voters supported building new wind farms, including a plurality (45%) of voters living near the proposed projects.
• In 2008, the U.S. wind industry installed 8,358 MW of new generating capacity, enough to serve over 2 million homes. The nation’s wind power generating capacity grew by 50%, and represents an investment of $17 billion into the economy.
