by jboullion | Jan 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
Jennifer L. Heinzen
Manitowoc, WI
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer
Manitowoc County Executive
Courthouse, 1010 S. 8th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
January 27, 2009
Dear Representative Ziegelbauer,
This letter is in response to your comments made in The Daily Reporter dated January 24 concerning the Manitowoc County Board of Adjustment’s recent rejection of a seven-turbine wind farm. I am for many reasons baffled and disheartened by your statements, and ask for a few moments of your time to consider my words.
I am the lead instructor at Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) for the Wind Energy Technology program, a 2-year associate degree for aspiring wind turbine technicians. It is the only such program in the state, and we have worked very hard to make LTC nationally-recognized for its efforts in promoting conservation and renewable energy. Our 65 kW wind turbine started producing electricity for the campus in August of 2004, and nearly 30 students have climbed the tower since then. Two more wind turbines will be erected at LTC by 2010. Construction for the first will begin in just a few months.
As a state-certified master electrician and technical college instructor, I have a strong interest in keeping jobs at home. Promoting renewable energy in Wisconsin encourages conservation, efficiency and environmental stewardship. It also opens an exciting new market for a plethora of “green” jobs in the commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential sectors. I work with the Department of Commerce, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, Wisconsin Distributed Resources Collaborative, and the Rural Energy Management Council to provide training for electricians in renewable energy. These classes and seminars fill up quickly and are in high demand statewide.
Manitowoc supports wind power in many respects. Companies like Tower Tech and Manitowoc Crane are prospering because of their connections to the wind industry. Orion Energy Systems recently obtained a permit from the City of Manitowoc to erect a large wind turbine at their new facility, and Manitowoc Public Utilities will likely be adding wind power to their energy portfolio. It’s ironic that this county, while supporting wind energy in so many ways, has also become notorious for writing ordinances that may as well say “no wind turbines allowed.”
I was a member of the Manitowoc County Wind Energy Systems Advisory Committee from 2005-2006. I had been asked by the County Board Chair to join this committee because of my experience with wind systems and my position at LTC. I accepted, believing naively that simple education was the remedy to the controversy. I thought the committee would only need certain fears eased, myths dispelled, and questions answered.
Unfortunately my attempts to help the committee write a reasonable ordinance were thwarted by the relentless storytelling and fear-mongering tactics used by the WINDCOWS, the Manitowoc-based wind energy opposition group. I underestimated their passion and dedication to the cause of essentially outlawing wind energy. As a result, the group created unrealistic and highly restrictive ordinances for wind farms, as well as small, privately-owned systems.
My defeat was both frustrating and inspiring. I dove into energy policy and legislation, and I am now president of the board of directors for RENEW Wisconsin. As you know, RENEW is a Madison-based, nonprofit organization that promotes clean energy. We have been working diligently on a statewide siting campaign that will hopefully end these expensive and extravagant local battles. (This 7-turbine project has been debated for nearly five years!) We have strong support from a wide variety of stakeholders and are confident that the legislation for uniform siting will pass this year.
Please believe our intent is in no way to belittle local communities or imply that anyone is “dumb,” as you stated in the article. But when irrational and unfounded fears are propagated and allowed to infest the minds of our local decision-makers, the madness must be stopped. I honestly don’t understand why the WINDCOWS and their allies hate wind power… Money? Aesthetics? I quit trying to rationalize it long ago because it really doesn’t matter.
State Statute 66.0401 outlines local governments’ authority to restrict wind and solar energy systems. Those opposed to a project must prove legitimate health and safety concerns. That’s hard to do, considering no civilian has ever been physically harmed by a wind turbine. Therefore, anecdotal tales of “wind turbine syndrome” run rampant on anti-wind websites, but the “evidence” is nothing more than a conglomeration of exaggerations, misrepresentations, and outright fabrications.
Wisconsin currently has a renewable energy portfolio standard of 10% by 2015, and Governor Doyle is recommending 25% by 2025. The recent extension of the federal production tax credit emphasizes our commitment to make renewable energy systems cost-competitive with the highly subsidized world of traditional electrical generation.
I have lived in northeast Wisconsin my whole life, and I plan to stay and remain politically active. I hope you will reconsider your views on wind power here in our own back yard. The fuel is clean, renewable, abundant, and free. The concept is simple and the technology is readily available. Wind turbines are beautiful! They represent ingenuity, wisdom, forward-thinking, sustainability, and energy independence.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my views. I would be happy to speak with you more on this subject if and when you are interested.
Sincerely,
Jenny Heinzen
by jboullion | Jan 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, USDA-Rural Development, UW-Extension Offices:
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AMERICA WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Training Opportunities and Topics:
– General overview of the REAP Program
– Changes in the 2008 Farm Bill
– How to apply for a Grant
– Q & A
3 Convenient Ways to Attend:
1. Attend online webinar and teleconference
2. In person at Mid-State Technical College
3. Satellite sites are being hosted at UW- Extension Offices
Onsite Location:
Room L133
Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids
Host Locations:
See brochure
Presenters:
Brenda Heinen,USDA Rural Development
Mark Brodziski, USDA Rural Development
Registration:
See brochure
Questions:
Rural Development
4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-345-7610
by jboullion | Jan 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story by Brian Moon on WRN.com:
The Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Passenger train should be built, according to a Milwaukee County official. County Board Member Chris Larson is reacting to a recent study by Tom Rubin of the Reason Foundation which, citing high costs, favors an expanded commuter bus service instead of the regional passenger rail. Larson agrees with Rubin’s assertion that the rapid buses could operate along the I-94 corridor without having to add new lanes. However, he claims by Rubin’s own admission, lakeside transit would be most efficient with a rail system.
The County Supervisor supports developing the KRM rail while restoring the decaying Milwaukee County bus line. He says the funding could come from a 1% sales tax already been approved by voters in a referendum last November. Larson hopes the tax hike will clear state lawmakers and believes a portion of the tax hike could go toward regional transit.
But Milwaukee County can’t pay for it alone. Larson hopes Racine and Kenosha Counties will follow his county’s example of a sales tax hike referendum.
by jboullion | Jan 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the newsletter of Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council:
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has rejected a proposal by Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, to expand its existing Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville, Wisconsin, to meet the future energy needs of its customers. . . .
While disappointed with the PSC’s decision we remain committed to learning how local resources can help meet our customers growing need for energy. Economic development is closely linked to the availability of energy; locally available renewable energy creates additional benefits that we were only beginning to better understand and quantify. Our understanding of how we can provide for cleaner sources of highly reliable energy is closely linked to the work being done by the Southwest Badger RC&D. I commend the RC&D Council for their support of this important work and am hopeful our relationship can continue into the future.”
The rejection of the Cassville power plant is by no means the end to Southwest Badger’s biomass initiatives, if anything our workload in biomass utilization should increase as the public awareness of biomass energy has soared. The silver lining to the PSC’s decision is that it makes a strong statement that future energy production in Wisconsin will be focused on renewable fuels.
Southwest Badger RC&D will continue to be a leader in biomass production and utilization and we look forward to working with existing and new partners to develop green energy initiatives for southwest Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Jan 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, USDA-Rural Development, UW-Extension Offices:
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AMERICA WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Training Opportunities and Topics:
– General overview of the REAP Program
– Changes in the 2008 Farm Bill
– How to apply for a Grant
– Q & A
3 Convenient Ways to Attend:
1. Attend online webinar and teleconference
2. In person at Mid-State Technical College
3. Satellite sites are being hosted at UW- Extension Offices
Onsite Location:
Room L133
Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids
Host Locations:
Several in western Wisconsin. See brochure for details.
Presenters:
Brenda Heinen,USDA Rural Development
Mark Brodziski, USDA Rural Development
Registration:
See brochure
Questions:
Rural Development
4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-345-7610
by jboullion | Jan 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story by Paul Snyder in The Daily Reporter:
A Madison environmental group wants the state, rather than local governments, to oversee wind farm placement after a five-year push for seven turbines in Manitowoc County failed.
“There should be legislation in the next few weeks,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of the nonprofit RENEW Wisconsin. “Our concern is that local control is being abused, and smaller, independent wind farm developers aiming at community-scaled projects will just be deterred from coming here.”
The Manitowoc Board of Adjustment last week rejected the latest request by Hubertus-based Emerging Energies LLP to build the seven-turbine farm, which would send 15 to 20 megawatts of electricity to the town of Mishicot. Orville Bonde, the board’s chairman, declined to comment on the rejection because, he said, Emerging Energies is planning to sue the county.
Representatives from the company could not be reached for comment before deadline Friday.
Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer called the rejection the latest of many disputes over the project between the county and the company.
“They argue that our ordinance is too restrictive,” he said. “We think it’s reasonable and was created in good faith. This isn’t the final say in the matter by any means.”
Manitowoc County’s ordinance, adopted in 2004, calls for a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from a turbine to a property line. It also contains a noise restriction that turbines cannot create sound five decibels more than ambient noise.
“What does that mean?” Vickerman said. “If you fire up a leaf blower, that shoots up the ambient noise level 25 decibels. Do you measure it over crickets? What about a dog barking?”
Vickerman said the rule is an example of the way wind farm ordinances have been abused since the state ruled in 1994 that local governments can approve or deny the projects if they generate less than 100 megawatts.
A bill to create statewide regulation of all wind farm projects, regardless of energy output, failed to make it out of committee in the last session and could be hotly contested if it re-emerges this year.
Vickerman said state Sen. Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee, who led the Senate charge for the bill last year, likely will lead it again this year.
by jboullion | Jan 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission:
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) today announced that all 118 Wisconsin electric providers have met their renewable portfolio standards for 2007, 111 providers have exceeded the requirements for the year, and most are well on their way to meeting their increased obligations.
One key provision in 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 was an increase in the renewable portfolio standard, requiring Wisconsin retail electric providers to produce 10% of their electricity from renewable resources by the year 2015. For the years leading to 2015, Wisconsin utilities are required to report their progress in meeting the renewable milestones to the PSC. In 2007, Wisconsin utilities generated 114% of the 2007 requirement and as a result have excess renewable energy credits to use in the future.
“Although there are many challenges ahead, this report shows that Wisconsin is staying on a steady course to reaching Governor Doyle’s renewable energy goals,” said Chairperson Eric Callisto. “I commend the state’s electric utilities for their commitment to meeting Act 141 requirements, especially the nine utilities who have already met 2010 standards. I encourage utilities to continue their efforts and look forward to reviewing more proposed renewable projects in the future. . . .”
Currently, Wisconsin utilities generate about four percent of the state’s electricity from renewable resources – just under half of the requirements for the year 2015. In the past year, the PSC has approved several projects which will significantly increase renewable generation in the state, leading Wisconsin down the path of energy independence.
by jboullion | Jan 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission:
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) today announced that all 118 Wisconsin electric providers have met their renewable portfolio standards for 2007, 111 providers have exceeded the requirements for the year, and most are well on their way to meeting their increased obligations.
One key provision in 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 was an increase in the renewable portfolio standard, requiring Wisconsin retail electric providers to produce 10% of their electricity from renewable resources by the year 2015. For the years leading to 2015, Wisconsin utilities are required to report their progress in meeting the renewable milestones to the PSC. In 2007, Wisconsin utilities generated 114% of the 2007 requirement and as a result have excess renewable energy credits to use in the future.
“Although there are many challenges ahead, this report shows that Wisconsin is staying on a steady course to reaching Governor Doyle’s renewable energy goals,” said Chairperson Eric Callisto. “I commend the state’s electric utilities for their commitment to meeting Act 141 requirements, especially the nine utilities who have already met 2010 standards. I encourage utilities to continue their efforts and look forward to reviewing more proposed renewable projects in the future. . . .”
Currently, Wisconsin utilities generate about four percent of the state’s electricity from renewable resources – just under half of the requirements for the year 2015. In the past year, the PSC has approved several projects which will significantly increase renewable generation in the state, leading Wisconsin down the path of energy independence.
by jboullion | Jan 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Ellyn Ferguson in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
WASHINGTON — Wisconsin could quickly and effectively spend any rail money Congress provides in an economic recovery package, Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday.
Doyle and others were called by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to rebut a federal report that said states could not use economic recovery money for roads, bridges and transit quickly enough to generate jobs and counter the recession.
States would have to commit money to projects within a 90-day deadline.
Opponents of the infrastructure portion of the $825 billion economic recovery package have used the report by the Congressional Budget Office, the fiscal watchdog for Congress, to fight the bill.
“The purpose of this hearing today is to nail down the ability of the states to meet these deadlines,” committee chairman Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said.
Oberstar said transportation and infrastructure projects could produce 1 million jobs by early June if Congress approves the economic recovery package by mid-February.
“We share your view that this recovery act should be designed to get people to work,” said Doyle, who testified on behalf of States for Passenger Rail Coalition.
by jboullion | Jan 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the La Crosse Tribune:
Ground was broken Monday for a renewable energy system at City Brewery’s wastewater treatment plant, which will generate heat and electricity by burning methane gas now flared off as waste.
Work began for a building that will house most of the system, which will be owned by Gundersen Lutheran. Part of the system will be outdoors, Gundersen Lutheran spokesman Chris Stauffer said.
The biogas-fueled engine-generator system, expected to begin operating this spring, is a collaboration of Gundersen Lutheran and City Brewery.
It also is part of a Gundersen Lutheran systemwide project to eventually get all of its power from renewable energy sources, and to reduce energy use by 20 percent.
The brewery now burns off methane produced by the anaerobic digester at its wastewater treatment plant.
The new system’s engine will use the methane to generate more than 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. That is enough to power about 280 average Wisconsin homes, said Corey Zarecki, Gundersen Lutheran efficiency improvement leader.
