by jboullion | Feb 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement from Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI):
Grants are now available for both new construction and remodeling of existing homes that are targeting net zero energy use when completed.
Complete details can be found at www.GreenMaxHome.com. Click here to view the GreenMax Home RFP.
WPPI’s Web site explains the concept of a net zero energy home:
A net zero energy home is connected to the energy grid that supplies your local utility with power, but it is designed and constructed to produce at least as much energy as it consumes. The house supplies energy back to the grid in — at a minimum —an amount equal to the amount of power the homeowner purchases from the grid, resulting in a “net zero” impact on the nation’s energy supply. Any excess energy generated by the house is fed back into the grid.
This new concept combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar water heating and solar electricity. In many cases, the entire energy consumption — heating, cooling and appliances — of a net zero energy home can be provided by renewable energy sources.
Proposed homes must be built in a WPPI Energy member utility service area. WPPI’s member utilities are:
Alger Delta, MI
Algoma
Baraga, MI
Black River Falls
Boscobel
Brodhead
Cedarburg
Columbus
Cuba City
Eagle River
Evansville
Florence
Gladstone, MI
Hartford
Hustisford
Independence, IA
Jefferson
Juneau
Kaukauna
L’Anse, MI
Lake Mills
Lodi
Maquoketa, IA
Menasha
Mount Horeb
Muscoda
Negaunee, MI
New Glarus
New Holstein
New London
New Richmond
Norway, MI
Oconomowoc
Oconto Falls
Plymouth
Prairie du Sac
Reedsburg
Richland Center
River Falls
Slinger
Stoughton
Sturgeon Bay
Sun Prairie
Two Rivers
Waterloo
Waunakee
Waupun
Westby
Whitehall
by jboullion | Feb 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Eco Racine’s Fair blog:
4/18/09
Holy Communion Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall
2000 West Sixth Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53405
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (maybe longer)
Cost Free!
More info: wclingman@wi.rr.com
Vendors, please contact Eco Racine for information
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Samantha Marcus in the La Crosse Tribune:
City and county officials unveiled on Thursday an ambitious plan aimed at improving the La Crosse area’s environmental sustainability.
The strategic plan calls for major reductions in energy consumption and shifts to renewable energy sources and is scheduled to hit the La Crosse Common Council floor Feb. 12 and the La Crosse County Board on Feb. 19.
“It’s for the good of the community, so I do hope everyone will be behind it,” said council member and mayoral candidate Dorothy Lenard, who sits on the joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability.
City Senior Planner Tim Kabat said Thursday this collaborative plan is unique in Wisconsin.
The city portion of the 67-page draft outlines targets for increasing the purchase of “environmentally preferred products” and services by 50 percent, cutting city hall’s paper consumption by 10 percent each year starting this year, reducing nonrecyclable waste by 25 percent and increasing the amount recycled by 25 percent.
The plan also recommends improving community transportation by reducing public transit trip times and starting a community car-sharing program.
Two of the more immediate priorities are recycling plastics within six months to a year and hiring a sustainability coordinator, said Jai Johnson, committee chairwoman, council member and county board supervisor.
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a letter to Governor Jim Doyle from State Senator Pat Kreitlow:
The current draft of a Wisconsin plan for high-speed intercity rail connects many of our state’s population and economic centers. But unfortunately the Connections 2030 plan fails to include a route through the Interstate 94 corridor, an omission that in my opinion leaves the entire system incomplete and less efficient than it should be. I am encouraging people throughout western Wisconsin and the East Metro area of the Twin Cities to provide comments to the Department of Transportation supporting the inclusion of a route that includes Eau Claire, Menomonie and Hudson, and I hope to have your support for an Eau Claire route as well.
Some of the fastest growing counties in the state are in western Wisconsin, according to the Department of Administration’s recently released report on projected populations through 2035. Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce and Polk counties are all expected to see over 30% population growth by 2035, putting them in the top quarter of counties, while St. Croix County is projected to see a population increase of 135% during that time, making it the fastest growing county in the state. Widening Interstate 94 alone will not provide sufficient ways to link this rapidly growing economy to Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. A rail line would displace many more auto trips compared to the Tomah-La Crosse corridor. Even your Task Force on Global Warming makes a specific recommendation to implement high speed rail “to Eau Claire and the Twin Cities” as a means toward reduction in transportation greenhouse gases.
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
by jboullion | Jan 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
by jboullion | Jan 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Wayne Nelson in BusinessNorth:
The region’s economy already has a tint of “green,” ranging from hydroelectric and wind-generated power to biofuels development and environmentally-friendly building design.
And it’s in a potential sweet spot for a boost from President Barack Obama’s “green economy” initiative that promises $150 billion in federal funding over the next decade to help address climate change issues, and develop 5 million green collar jobs in the process.
“Any renewables stimulus program will be huge for this region,” said Chris Wiberg, chief operations officer at Twin Ports Testing in Superior. “We have a lot of woody biomass,” he said, noting the challenge is to divine commercially viable technology. “The question is how to use it,” he said.
Twin Ports Testing launched a fuels analysis lab in 1980 and is in the vanguard in this search for renewable biomass fuels. That laboratory has assisted one corner of this sector — producing wood pellets from biomass for residential, commercial and industrial heating — get off the ground.
The article highlights many area businesses in the renewable energy industry.
by jboullion | Jan 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a letter sent to hospitality businesses by Focus on Energy:
Dear Wisconsin Hospitality Business:
As energy prices rise, now is a great time to discover the money-saving power of solar hot water.
A hospitality business like yours could save 50% or more on water-heating costs!
Solar hot water systems use energy from the sun to heat water for guest rooms, housekeeping, laundry facilities, food service, swimming pools and more. In many businesses, installing a solar hot water system can generate a positive cash flow almost immediately.
What can solar hot water do for your business?
+ Decrease your water-heating costs by 50% or more
+ Insulate your business from the rising cost of energy
+ Reduce pollution to help protect the environment
+ Enhance your reputation as an environmentally friendly business
For a real-world example of the benefits of solar hot water, click here for a case study that explains how Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells installed the state’s largest solar hot water system to save an expected $590,000 over 20 years.
Reduce your up-front costs with incentives from Focus on Energy.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, offers financial incentives to help you fund up to 25% of the installed cost of your system. Federal tax credits and depreciation are also available to save you even more. Together, these funds can pay for more than half of the total cost
of your system!
Start saving with solar hot water.
Find out why a solar hot water system is a smart and affordable business investment that can boost your bottom line for years to come. Call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/solarhotel1 to learn more about the benefits of solar water heating—plus energy efficiency tips to help you save even more with this tried and proven renewable energy solution.
