by jboullion | Mar 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
A note from Michael Vickerman, RENEW’s Policy Director:
Senator Frank Lasee’s bill to allow municipalities to “opt out” of the reasonable standards contained in PSC 128, Wisconsin’s wind siting rule, is rapidly moving through the state legislature. A Senate Committee will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 71 on Wednesday, March 13 at 12:00 PM CST. This bill would have an immediate impact on projects currently under development and will jeopardize the future of the Wisconsin wind industry.
We need your help opposing this bill.
It is absolutely imperative that policymakers hear from Wisconsin supply chain businesses, construction companies, project developers, installers, and manufacturers on this bill. If you are able, it would be of great help if you could travel to Madison to testify at the upcoming public hearing. If you are not able to come in person, please contact me directly as there are several other ways to help (direct calls, written testimony, lending your company’s name to our testimony, etc.)
Stopping this bill will take a united effort. We hope that we can count on your support.
The notice of the public hearing on SB 71 is below.
Thank you,
–Michael Vickerman Policy Director, RENEW Wisconsin.
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org 608-255-4044 x. 2
Senate
PUBLIC
HEARING
Committee on
Government Operations, Public Works, and
Telecommunications
The committee
will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified
below:
Wednesday, March
13, 2013
12:00
PM
330
Southwest
Senate Bill
39
Relating to: the
notice and degree requirements for the examination to practice as a certified
public accountant.
By Senators L.
Taylor and Grothman; cosponsored by Representatives Kooyenga, Spiros, Knudson,
Marklein, Kapenga, Steineke, Smith, Bernier, Sanfelippo and
Stone.
Senate Bill
55
Relating to:
costs of replacement or relocation of certain municipal utility facilities
required by the construction of a freeway and eligibility for the safe drinking
water loan program.
By Senators
Cowles, Lasee and Lehman; cosponsored by Representatives Jacque, Weininger,
Bernier, Brooks, Kahl, Klenke and Bernard Schaber.
Senate Bill
71
Relating to:
limiting the regulation of wind energy systems by local
governments.
By Senators
Lasee, Ellis, Leibham, Grothman and Moulton; cosponsored by Representatives
Jacque, Murtha, Bies, Endsley, Kestell, Klenke, Knudson, LeMahieu, Spiros and
Thiesfeldt.
________________________
Senator Paul
Farrow
Chair
by jboullion | Mar 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Only in Wisconsin will you find lawmakers who treat renewable
energy as though it were radioactive.
A legislator from Brown County, Rep. Andre Jacque, has introduced
a bill (AB 34) to incorporate nuclear energy within Wisconsin’s 14-year-old
renewable electricity standard. The bill defines the terms under which
utilities could apply the output from in-state nuclear power plants toward
their existing 10% requirement, which would be renamed the Advanced and
Renewable Portfolio Standard (ARPS). Right now, Wisconsin has three operating
nuclear reactors at two locations five miles apart along Lake Michigan.
Two of the three nuclear power stations–Point Beach units 1 and
2–are located within Rep. Jacque’s district. The adjoining district contains
the other nuclear unit , the 560-MW Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant owned by
Dominion Resources, a Virginia-based utility holding company. Late in 2012,
Dominion announced that it would shut down and decommission Kewaunee this
spring, while cutting the plant’s 650-person workforce in half.
During its 39 years of operation, the Kewaunee plant pumped
millions of dollars into local government coffers, a substantial revenue flow
that will dry up some time after Dominion closes down the plant for good. It will be quite a challenge for Kewaunee and
Manitowoc counties to recover from the retirement of such a powerful economic
engine.
But let’s be clear about one thing: state legislation cannot bring
Kewaunee back to life. As Mark Kanz, a Dominion representative, said regarding
Jacque’s legislation: “What we needed was a long-term power purchase agreement.
I don’t see the market changing a whole lot any time in the near future, and
what this really was all about was economics.”
Over the last three years, Kewaunee has produced red ink as
prodigiously as it has electricity, to the tune of $362 million. One can
certainly understand why Dominion was so eager to sell it. But the only way an
expensive plant like Kewaunee can generate profits is by convincing nearby
utilities to pay a premium for its output under a long-term contract.
Even Rep. Jacque and the other bill sponsors know better than to
expect that outcome. As stated in their co-sponsorship memo: “A flood of cheap
natural gas on the energy market and the failure to negotiate a long-term power
purchase agreement make it very likely that Kewaunee will be closed … later
this year.”
But AB 34 wouldn’t provide any immediate assistance to Wisconsin’s
other nuclear generators at Point Beach either. That is because the legislation
specifically exempts nuclear generation that is sold under an existing contract
from qualifying for the renamed standard. With a power purchase agreement in
place until 2031, Point Beach doesn’t need a helping hand from state
government. At this point, one might be
forgiven for wondering who might benefit from this bill.
As for Wisconsin’s Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), there
isn’t much kick remaining in it. Collectively, the utilities’ renewable
percentages had already reached 8.88% by the end of 2011, and that was before
Wisconsin’s largest wind project commenced operations. Apart from a 50 MW biomass plant currently
under construction, the utilities do not have plans right now to add more renewable
generators to their systems. There is virtually no room left for any more
qualifying energy sources, be they renewable or, if AB 34 clears the
Legislature, nuclear.
Let’s make some comparisons. In 2006, the last year that both
Kewaunee and Point Beach were utility properties, nuclear contributed about 18%
of the electricity generated in Wisconsin, with each unit accounting for 6% of
that total. Coincidentally, that was the year Wisconsin enacted its current
RES, which specifies an increase in the percentage of renewable electricity
sold in Wisconsin from 4% in 2004 to 10% by 2015. That’s a six percentage point
difference, roughly equal to the output from Kewaunee or one of Point Beach’s
two units.
Now, AB 34’s sponsors could have specified higher targets after
2015 to create room for a Point Beach unit or two, but they chose not to. This
begs the question, how can a modest 10% renewable electricity standard that is
95% full accommodate the output of an existing Wisconsin nuclear station? How
does the math work here?
The answer, of course, is it doesn’t. How this bill would yield
anything of value to a nuclear plant operator is a complete mystery to anyone
with a sixth-grader’s grasp of arithmetic. At this point, it makes sense to
look through the more obscure provisions of AB 34 to pin down the underlying
intent of this legislation.
To my way of thinking, the bill sponsors expose their true motives
in the section dealing with so-called “resource” credits, which would replace
the way renewable energy credits are currently created and accounted for.
There, one stumbles upon a provision to remove the four-year limit on banking unused
renewable energy credits. Should this provision ever find its way into the
statutes, a utility would be able to apply kilowatt-hours generated from
decades past to their current requirements. No other state with an RES lets
their utilities bank surplus credits indefinitely.
When this proposal first surfaced in a stand-alone bill introduced
in 2011, renewable electricity producers of all stripes–private and
county-owned landfill gas generators,
dairy operations with biogas systems, small hydro owners, windpower companies
and solar PV owners— banded together to denounce this attack. They understood
all too well the real purpose behind giving renewable energy credits the gift
of perpetual life, which is to render them valueless, thereby giving utilities
all the room they need to drive the incremental price for renewable energy down
to zero. That bill died in 2012, but
since then the indefinite banking provision has been resurrected and now lies
deep within the nether reaches of AB 34.
What we have here, then, is a bill that uses the pretext of
preserving the state’s nuclear generating assets to dismantle what remains of
Wisconsin’s renewable energy policy. Not ones to accept the market realities
precipitating Kewaunee’s forced retirement, the bill authors decided to craft a
bill that aimed at hobbling the only other zero-carbon game in town: renewable
energy. The thought that seems to be
driving AB 34’s sponsors is this: If
nuclear is going down, renewables are going down with it.
AB 34 is not the only bill that aims to weaken Wisconsin’s RES.
Senator Glenn Grothman, a Republican from West Bend, is sponsoring legislation
to roll back the renewable requirements on utilities down to 2011 levels. What
is Sen. Grothman’s beef with renewable energy policy? Simply put, he does not want wind turbines
going up in his district, and he is convinced that the wind energy industry
would dry up and blow away without the
RES. Of course, if his initiative were to become law, its impact would extend
beyond windpower to all eligible renewable energy resources. In his quixotic
quest to stamp out windpower in his district, Grothman appears willing to
accept all the collateral damage to other renewables that would ensue.
To gauge how far renewable energy’s star has fallen in Wisconsin,
one need not go farther back in time than 2006, when a Republican-controlled
Legislature passed the 10% RES with only one dissenting vote. Even Senator
Frank Lasee, the state’s most prominent antiwind crusader, voted for the RES,
as did Grothman. But the bipartisanship
spirit alive in 2006 has completely curdled, and more than a handful of
legislators are taking up cudgels against an energy pathway they had welcomed
only seven years before.
Ironically, clean energy represents the best hope for creating new
jobs and business opportunities for the individuals and communities that will be
hit hard by Kewaunee’s retirement.
Between the 31 wind turbines erected in Kewaunee County 14 years ago and
biodigester systems serving local dairy farms and food producers, clean energy
has made substantial inroads in Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties, and has the
potential to deliver much more. But progress will be difficult to attain when
local legislators would rather score cheap political points than produce an
energy bill that might actually benefit their constituents.
Michael
Vickerman is program and policy director of RENEW Wisconsin, a sustainable
energy advocacy organization. RENEW
Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that leads and represents
businesses, and individuals who seek more clean, renewable energy in
Wisconsin. More information on RENEW’s Web site at www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
222 S. Hamilton, Madison, WI 53704
Immediate Release February 26, 2013
More Information
Don Wichert, Executive Director
608.255.4044, ext. 1
RENEW Petitions PSC to Improve Interconnection Rules
RENEW Wisconsin (RENEW) filed a petition on February 22 asking the Public Service Commission (PSCW) to simplify the process under which distributed generators can connect their generators to Wisconsin’s electrical grid. The vast majority of these small generating facilities are fueled with locally available renewable energy resources like biogas, solar, and wind.
RENEW’s filing grew out of a year-long study that assessed how Wisconsin’s 10-year old interconnection rule (PSC 119) compares with best practices established in other states.
“We found that Wisconsin’s outdated rules hurts distributed generators by adding complexity, time, and cost to the interconnection process ,” said Don Wichert, RENEW’s interim Executive Director and study coordinator. “Most of the renewable energy systems coming on line now are owned by non-utility generators. Fixing the problems in PSC 119 will lead to more renewable energy systems going in faster and at a lower cost. Supported by 86 companies, organizations, and individuals, RENEW’s petition identified 10 specific changes that, if adopted by the PSC, would align Wisconsin’s interconnection procedures with national best practices.
“Customer-owned renewable energy systems save ratepayers money in many ways”, said Wichert. “Because they offset electrical needs right where the electricity is being used, distributed renewables supply clean electricity in a reliable and affordable manner, avoiding potentially expensive investments in central generating plants and costly transmission lines. Moreover, they create jobs and support local businesses. These are all positive public policy goals”, Wichert said.
END
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean, renewable energy in Wisconsin. More information on RENEW’s website: www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
222 S. Hamilton, Madison, WI 53704
Immediate Release February 26, 2013
More Information
Don Wichert, Executive Director
608.255.4044, ext. 1
RENEW Petitions PSC to Improve Interconnection Rules
RENEW Wisconsin (RENEW) filed a petition on February 22 asking the Public Service Commission (PSCW) to simplify the process under which distributed generators can connect their generators to Wisconsin’s electrical grid. The vast majority of these small generating facilities are fueled with locally available renewable energy resources like biogas, solar, and wind.
RENEW’s filing grew out of a year-long study that assessed how Wisconsin’s 10-year old interconnection rule (PSC 119) compares with best practices established in other states.
“We found that Wisconsin’s outdated rules hurts distributed generators by adding complexity, time, and cost to the interconnection process ,” said Don Wichert, RENEW’s interim Executive Director and study coordinator. “Most of the renewable energy systems coming on line now are owned by non-utility generators. Fixing the problems in PSC 119 will lead to more renewable energy systems going in faster and at a lower cost. Supported by 86 companies, organizations, and individuals, RENEW’s petition identified 10 specific changes that, if adopted by the PSC, would align Wisconsin’s interconnection procedures with national best practices.
“Customer-owned renewable energy systems save ratepayers money in many ways”, said Wichert. “Because they offset electrical needs right where the electricity is being used, distributed renewables supply clean electricity in a reliable and affordable manner, avoiding potentially expensive investments in central generating plants and costly transmission lines. Moreover, they create jobs and support local businesses. These are all positive public policy goals”, Wichert said.
END
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean, renewable energy in Wisconsin. More information on RENEW’s website: www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
222 S. Hamilton, Madison, WI 53704
Immediate Release February 26, 2013
More Information
Don Wichert, Executive Director
608.255.4044, ext. 1
RENEW Petitions PSC to Improve Interconnection Rules
RENEW Wisconsin (RENEW) filed a petition on February 22 asking the Public Service Commission (PSCW) to simplify the process under which distributed generators can connect their generators to Wisconsin’s electrical grid. The vast majority of these small generating facilities are fueled with locally available renewable energy resources like biogas, solar, and wind.
RENEW’s filing grew out of a year-long study that assessed how Wisconsin’s 10-year old interconnection rule (PSC 119) compares with best practices established in other states.
“We found that Wisconsin’s outdated rules hurts distributed generators by adding complexity, time, and cost to the interconnection process ,” said Don Wichert, RENEW’s interim Executive Director and study coordinator. “Most of the renewable energy systems coming on line now are owned by non-utility generators. Fixing the problems in PSC 119 will lead to more renewable energy systems going in faster and at a lower cost. Supported by 86 companies, organizations, and individuals, RENEW’s petition identified 10 specific changes that, if adopted by the PSC, would align Wisconsin’s interconnection procedures with national best practices.
“Customer-owned renewable energy systems save ratepayers money in many ways”, said Wichert. “Because they offset electrical needs right where the electricity is being used, distributed renewables supply clean electricity in a reliable and affordable manner, avoiding potentially expensive investments in central generating plants and costly transmission lines. Moreover, they create jobs and support local businesses. These are all positive public policy goals”, Wichert said.
END
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean, renewable energy in Wisconsin. More information on RENEW’s website: www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
222 S. Hamilton, Madison, WI 53704
Immediate Release February 26, 2013
More Information
Don Wichert, Executive Director
608.255.4044, ext. 1
RENEW Petitions PSC to Improve Interconnection Rules
RENEW Wisconsin (RENEW) filed a petition on February 22 asking the Public Service Commission (PSCW) to simplify the process under which distributed generators can connect their generators to Wisconsin’s electrical grid. The vast majority of these small generating facilities are fueled with locally available renewable energy resources like biogas, solar, and wind.
RENEW’s filing grew out of a year-long study that assessed how Wisconsin’s 10-year old interconnection rule (PSC 119) compares with best practices established in other states.
“We found that Wisconsin’s outdated rules hurts distributed generators by adding complexity, time, and cost to the interconnection process ,” said Don Wichert, RENEW’s interim Executive Director and study coordinator. “Most of the renewable energy systems coming on line now are owned by non-utility generators. Fixing the problems in PSC 119 will lead to more renewable energy systems going in faster and at a lower cost. Supported by 86 companies, organizations, and individuals, RENEW’s petition identified 10 specific changes that, if adopted by the PSC, would align Wisconsin’s interconnection procedures with national best practices.
“Customer-owned renewable energy systems save ratepayers money in many ways”, said Wichert. “Because they offset electrical needs right where the electricity is being used, distributed renewables supply clean electricity in a reliable and affordable manner, avoiding potentially expensive investments in central generating plants and costly transmission lines. Moreover, they create jobs and support local businesses. These are all positive public policy goals”, Wichert said.
END
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean, renewable energy in Wisconsin. More information on RENEW’s website: www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Feb 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
ACTION ALERT – SUPPORT HIGHLAND WIND FARM
|
DATE:
|
February 25, 2013
|
|
SUBJECT:
|
Fate of Highland Wind Farm in St. Croix County Hangs in the Balance
|
|
|
In December 2011, Emerging Energies of Wisconsin filed an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to construct the $250 million Highland Wind project in St. Croix County. If built, this 102 megawatt (MW) installation would generate enough zero-carbon electricity from its 41-44 turbines to power 30,000 residences. Constructing Highland Wind would create more than 100 jobs, while operating and maintaining this facility would require six to eight full-time positions. In addition to its job creation impacts, Highland Wind would pump nearly $1 million each year into the local economy, in the form of both lease payments to host landowners as well as shared revenues to host townships and St. Croix County.
To date, Emerging Energies has invested six years and nearly $2 million on this project. Highland Wind is the only large wind energy project currently in active development in Wisconsin.
On February 14, 2013, the PSC issued a preliminary decision turning down Emerging Energies’ application to build Highland Wind. In doing so, the PSC cited concerns over the level of measurable sound propagated by the turbines that could be detected at neighboring residences. In a nutshell, the PSC wants stronger assurances that Highland Wind’s wind turbines would be able to operate without exceeding the maximum allowable sound emission levels at any time. The PSC will take up the Highland Wind case again at its next open meeting this coming Friday (March 1st).
On February 22, Emerging Energies filed a request to the PSC to submit additional evidence on the sound propagation issue. The filings came with several affidavits and exhibits to substantiate Emerging Energies’ assurances that the turbines can operate within the sound emissions limits likely to be specified by the PSC. According to Emerging Energies, compliance with sound emission limits will be achieved through the selection of a quieter wind turbine model, one equipped with operational controls that can automatically ramp down output when sensors detect atmospheric conditions conducive to high levels of sound propagation. Emerging Energies’ filing can be accessed at the link below: http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_view/viewdoc.aspx?docid=181219
If this filing were accepted into evidence, the PSC would have both the factual foundation and a procedure for approving this project before March 25. As noted in Emerging Energies’ filing, approval of the project by March 25 is necessary to enable the developer to submit the project for consideration in Xcel Energy’s pending solicitation for an additional 200 MW of wind generating capacity.
On Monday February 25th, RENEW Wisconsin will file comments supporting Emerging Energies’ request to have its February 22 filing entered into the case record as evidence. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25. The text of RENEW’s two-page filing appear below this Action Alert.
March 1st is a red-letter day for Highland Wind. Either the PSC will (1) accept Emerging Energies’ filing and with it documentation substantiating Highland Wind’s capacity to operate in full compliance with sound limits established by the PSC in this case, or (2) finalize its denial of Highland Wind.
If the PSC turns down Highland Wind, it’s a pretty safe bet that Emerging Energies will not submit another application to build in that location. A denial would also send a clear signal to all concerned that Wisconsin’s political climate has become positively radioactive for wind development.
YOU CAN HELP! YOU CAN LET THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE KNOW THAT YOU ARE AMONG THE 85% OF WISCONSIN RESIDENTS WHO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS LIKE HIGHLAND WIND.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WINDPOWER PROJECTS ADVANCE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO COMMUNICATE THAT MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BEFORE THE
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WISCONSIN
Application of Highland Wind Farm, LLC for a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Docket No. 2535-CE-100
To Construct a 102.5 MW Electric Generation
Facility and Associated Electric Facilities, to be
Located in the Towns of Forest and Cylon,
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
RENEW WISCONSIN’S COMMENTS ON HIGHLAND WIND FARM’S EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
RENEW Wisconsin respectfully requests the Commission consider the following comments in response to the Emergency Request filed by Highland Wind Farm LLC on February 22, 2013 (PSC REF# 181219). RENEW Wisconsin is an intervener in this proceeding.
RENEW Wisconsin has reviewed the Applicant’s Emergency Request as well as the exhibits and affidavits associated with that filing. Highland Wind’s filings address the central issue—the ability of this project to comply with applicable sound emission limits–that led to the Commission’s motion to deny the Application at its February 14, 2013 open meeting. Applicant’s Emergency Request asks the Commission not to issue a final order denying Highland Wind’s CPCN at its March 1st open meeting. Instead the Applicant asks the Commission to conduct further discussion of the evidence that is already in the record and, if necessary, to also consider the information contained in the Applicant’s filings as a basis for determining whether the Highland Wind project can comply with the sound limits established by the Commission. Based on our review, RENEW believes that this information warrants Commission consideration. We therefore support Applicant’s request for leave to present additional evidence, as well as its request to allow interveners to respond to its request prior to the next open meeting. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25.
Discussion: RENEW supports the Applicant’s Emergency Request because we believe that operational curtailment is an appropriate and effective mitigation measure to ensure compliance with applicable sound emissions standards. In fact, we believe that operational curtailment is the most effective tool available to a windpower project operator for reducing sonic output from individual wind turbines to allowable levels. Of the many variables and factors that determine what levels of sound might be measurable at a residence near a wind turbine (e.g., wind speed differential at different elevations, barometric pressure, humidity, background sound levels), the only one that is fully under the project operator’s control is power production. Operational curtailment limits power generation from turbines, which results in a reduction of sound emissions. The Commission is fully cognizant of the role that operational curtailment can play in controlling sound emissions, as demonstrated by the conditions it imposed on the Glacier Hills wind project in its January 2010 order and by the provisions it approved in the development of PSC 128. In the latter instance, PSC 128.14 explicitly allows project owners to use curtailment procedures to maintain sound emissions below the maximum allowable levels.
Many of today’s utility-scale wind turbines come equipped with automated curtailment protocols that are triggered under a variety of atmospheric conditions. The more sophisticated models can ratchet power production when sensors detect atmospheric conditions that could contribute to long-distance sound propagation. As stated in its Emergency Request, Highland Wind is committed to using only those wind turbine models that are programmed to curtail power output based on real-time atmospheric phenomena such as wind shear. This commitment should remove any lingering uncertainty over whether Highland Wind can operate in full compliance with the sound limits specified by the Commission in this proceeding.
Summary: Apart from the question of whether Highland Wind can comply with sound limits modeled for the Commission’s consideration, this project undeniably advances the public interest in terms of stimulating local economic development, diversifying our region’s resource portfolio, enhancing energy security, and reducing pollution caused by fossil generation sources. We believe that the Applicant is correct that the existing record supports issuance of a CPCN with appropriate conditions. Moreover, the exhibits and affidavits submitted with Applicant’s Emergency Request fully address any lingering questions that the Commission might have about the project’s sound profile. For that reason, RENEW believes that these filings should be entered into evidence and made a part of the record, so that the Commission has a factually solid foundation for rendering a decision on Highland Wind.
Respectfully submitted this 25th day of February 2013.
by jboullion | Feb 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
ACTION ALERT – SUPPORT HIGHLAND WIND FARM
|
DATE:
|
February 25, 2013
|
|
SUBJECT:
|
Fate of Highland Wind Farm in St. Croix County Hangs in the Balance
|
|
|
In December 2011, Emerging Energies of Wisconsin filed an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to construct the $250 million Highland Wind project in St. Croix County. If built, this 102 megawatt (MW) installation would generate enough zero-carbon electricity from its 41-44 turbines to power 30,000 residences. Constructing Highland Wind would create more than 100 jobs, while operating and maintaining this facility would require six to eight full-time positions. In addition to its job creation impacts, Highland Wind would pump nearly $1 million each year into the local economy, in the form of both lease payments to host landowners as well as shared revenues to host townships and St. Croix County.
To date, Emerging Energies has invested six years and nearly $2 million on this project. Highland Wind is the only large wind energy project currently in active development in Wisconsin.
On February 14, 2013, the PSC issued a preliminary decision turning down Emerging Energies’ application to build Highland Wind. In doing so, the PSC cited concerns over the level of measurable sound propagated by the turbines that could be detected at neighboring residences. In a nutshell, the PSC wants stronger assurances that Highland Wind’s wind turbines would be able to operate without exceeding the maximum allowable sound emission levels at any time. The PSC will take up the Highland Wind case again at its next open meeting this coming Friday (March 1st).
On February 22, Emerging Energies filed a request to the PSC to submit additional evidence on the sound propagation issue. The filings came with several affidavits and exhibits to substantiate Emerging Energies’ assurances that the turbines can operate within the sound emissions limits likely to be specified by the PSC. According to Emerging Energies, compliance with sound emission limits will be achieved through the selection of a quieter wind turbine model, one equipped with operational controls that can automatically ramp down output when sensors detect atmospheric conditions conducive to high levels of sound propagation. Emerging Energies’ filing can be accessed at the link below: http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_view/viewdoc.aspx?docid=181219
If this filing were accepted into evidence, the PSC would have both the factual foundation and a procedure for approving this project before March 25. As noted in Emerging Energies’ filing, approval of the project by March 25 is necessary to enable the developer to submit the project for consideration in Xcel Energy’s pending solicitation for an additional 200 MW of wind generating capacity.
On Monday February 25th, RENEW Wisconsin will file comments supporting Emerging Energies’ request to have its February 22 filing entered into the case record as evidence. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25. The text of RENEW’s two-page filing appear below this Action Alert.
March 1st is a red-letter day for Highland Wind. Either the PSC will (1) accept Emerging Energies’ filing and with it documentation substantiating Highland Wind’s capacity to operate in full compliance with sound limits established by the PSC in this case, or (2) finalize its denial of Highland Wind.
If the PSC turns down Highland Wind, it’s a pretty safe bet that Emerging Energies will not submit another application to build in that location. A denial would also send a clear signal to all concerned that Wisconsin’s political climate has become positively radioactive for wind development.
YOU CAN HELP! YOU CAN LET THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE KNOW THAT YOU ARE AMONG THE 85% OF WISCONSIN RESIDENTS WHO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS LIKE HIGHLAND WIND.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WINDPOWER PROJECTS ADVANCE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO COMMUNICATE THAT MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BEFORE THE
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WISCONSIN
Application of Highland Wind Farm, LLC for a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Docket No. 2535-CE-100
To Construct a 102.5 MW Electric Generation
Facility and Associated Electric Facilities, to be
Located in the Towns of Forest and Cylon,
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
RENEW WISCONSIN’S COMMENTS ON HIGHLAND WIND FARM’S EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
RENEW Wisconsin respectfully requests the Commission consider the following comments in response to the Emergency Request filed by Highland Wind Farm LLC on February 22, 2013 (PSC REF# 181219). RENEW Wisconsin is an intervener in this proceeding.
RENEW Wisconsin has reviewed the Applicant’s Emergency Request as well as the exhibits and affidavits associated with that filing. Highland Wind’s filings address the central issue—the ability of this project to comply with applicable sound emission limits–that led to the Commission’s motion to deny the Application at its February 14, 2013 open meeting. Applicant’s Emergency Request asks the Commission not to issue a final order denying Highland Wind’s CPCN at its March 1st open meeting. Instead the Applicant asks the Commission to conduct further discussion of the evidence that is already in the record and, if necessary, to also consider the information contained in the Applicant’s filings as a basis for determining whether the Highland Wind project can comply with the sound limits established by the Commission. Based on our review, RENEW believes that this information warrants Commission consideration. We therefore support Applicant’s request for leave to present additional evidence, as well as its request to allow interveners to respond to its request prior to the next open meeting. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25.
Discussion: RENEW supports the Applicant’s Emergency Request because we believe that operational curtailment is an appropriate and effective mitigation measure to ensure compliance with applicable sound emissions standards. In fact, we believe that operational curtailment is the most effective tool available to a windpower project operator for reducing sonic output from individual wind turbines to allowable levels. Of the many variables and factors that determine what levels of sound might be measurable at a residence near a wind turbine (e.g., wind speed differential at different elevations, barometric pressure, humidity, background sound levels), the only one that is fully under the project operator’s control is power production. Operational curtailment limits power generation from turbines, which results in a reduction of sound emissions. The Commission is fully cognizant of the role that operational curtailment can play in controlling sound emissions, as demonstrated by the conditions it imposed on the Glacier Hills wind project in its January 2010 order and by the provisions it approved in the development of PSC 128. In the latter instance, PSC 128.14 explicitly allows project owners to use curtailment procedures to maintain sound emissions below the maximum allowable levels.
Many of today’s utility-scale wind turbines come equipped with automated curtailment protocols that are triggered under a variety of atmospheric conditions. The more sophisticated models can ratchet power production when sensors detect atmospheric conditions that could contribute to long-distance sound propagation. As stated in its Emergency Request, Highland Wind is committed to using only those wind turbine models that are programmed to curtail power output based on real-time atmospheric phenomena such as wind shear. This commitment should remove any lingering uncertainty over whether Highland Wind can operate in full compliance with the sound limits specified by the Commission in this proceeding.
Summary: Apart from the question of whether Highland Wind can comply with sound limits modeled for the Commission’s consideration, this project undeniably advances the public interest in terms of stimulating local economic development, diversifying our region’s resource portfolio, enhancing energy security, and reducing pollution caused by fossil generation sources. We believe that the Applicant is correct that the existing record supports issuance of a CPCN with appropriate conditions. Moreover, the exhibits and affidavits submitted with Applicant’s Emergency Request fully address any lingering questions that the Commission might have about the project’s sound profile. For that reason, RENEW believes that these filings should be entered into evidence and made a part of the record, so that the Commission has a factually solid foundation for rendering a decision on Highland Wind.
Respectfully submitted this 25th day of February 2013.
by jboullion | Feb 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
ACTION ALERT – SUPPORT HIGHLAND WIND FARM
|
DATE:
|
February 25, 2013
|
|
SUBJECT:
|
Fate of Highland Wind Farm in St. Croix County Hangs in the Balance
|
|
|
In December 2011, Emerging Energies of Wisconsin filed an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to construct the $250 million Highland Wind project in St. Croix County. If built, this 102 megawatt (MW) installation would generate enough zero-carbon electricity from its 41-44 turbines to power 30,000 residences. Constructing Highland Wind would create more than 100 jobs, while operating and maintaining this facility would require six to eight full-time positions. In addition to its job creation impacts, Highland Wind would pump nearly $1 million each year into the local economy, in the form of both lease payments to host landowners as well as shared revenues to host townships and St. Croix County.
To date, Emerging Energies has invested six years and nearly $2 million on this project. Highland Wind is the only large wind energy project currently in active development in Wisconsin.
On February 14, 2013, the PSC issued a preliminary decision turning down Emerging Energies’ application to build Highland Wind. In doing so, the PSC cited concerns over the level of measurable sound propagated by the turbines that could be detected at neighboring residences. In a nutshell, the PSC wants stronger assurances that Highland Wind’s wind turbines would be able to operate without exceeding the maximum allowable sound emission levels at any time. The PSC will take up the Highland Wind case again at its next open meeting this coming Friday (March 1st).
On February 22, Emerging Energies filed a request to the PSC to submit additional evidence on the sound propagation issue. The filings came with several affidavits and exhibits to substantiate Emerging Energies’ assurances that the turbines can operate within the sound emissions limits likely to be specified by the PSC. According to Emerging Energies, compliance with sound emission limits will be achieved through the selection of a quieter wind turbine model, one equipped with operational controls that can automatically ramp down output when sensors detect atmospheric conditions conducive to high levels of sound propagation. Emerging Energies’ filing can be accessed at the link below: http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_view/viewdoc.aspx?docid=181219
If this filing were accepted into evidence, the PSC would have both the factual foundation and a procedure for approving this project before March 25. As noted in Emerging Energies’ filing, approval of the project by March 25 is necessary to enable the developer to submit the project for consideration in Xcel Energy’s pending solicitation for an additional 200 MW of wind generating capacity.
On Monday February 25th, RENEW Wisconsin will file comments supporting Emerging Energies’ request to have its February 22 filing entered into the case record as evidence. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25. The text of RENEW’s two-page filing appear below this Action Alert.
March 1st is a red-letter day for Highland Wind. Either the PSC will (1) accept Emerging Energies’ filing and with it documentation substantiating Highland Wind’s capacity to operate in full compliance with sound limits established by the PSC in this case, or (2) finalize its denial of Highland Wind.
If the PSC turns down Highland Wind, it’s a pretty safe bet that Emerging Energies will not submit another application to build in that location. A denial would also send a clear signal to all concerned that Wisconsin’s political climate has become positively radioactive for wind development.
YOU CAN HELP! YOU CAN LET THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE KNOW THAT YOU ARE AMONG THE 85% OF WISCONSIN RESIDENTS WHO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS LIKE HIGHLAND WIND.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WINDPOWER PROJECTS ADVANCE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO COMMUNICATE THAT MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BEFORE THE
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WISCONSIN
Application of Highland Wind Farm, LLC for a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Docket No. 2535-CE-100
To Construct a 102.5 MW Electric Generation
Facility and Associated Electric Facilities, to be
Located in the Towns of Forest and Cylon,
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
RENEW WISCONSIN’S COMMENTS ON HIGHLAND WIND FARM’S EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
RENEW Wisconsin respectfully requests the Commission consider the following comments in response to the Emergency Request filed by Highland Wind Farm LLC on February 22, 2013 (PSC REF# 181219). RENEW Wisconsin is an intervener in this proceeding.
RENEW Wisconsin has reviewed the Applicant’s Emergency Request as well as the exhibits and affidavits associated with that filing. Highland Wind’s filings address the central issue—the ability of this project to comply with applicable sound emission limits–that led to the Commission’s motion to deny the Application at its February 14, 2013 open meeting. Applicant’s Emergency Request asks the Commission not to issue a final order denying Highland Wind’s CPCN at its March 1st open meeting. Instead the Applicant asks the Commission to conduct further discussion of the evidence that is already in the record and, if necessary, to also consider the information contained in the Applicant’s filings as a basis for determining whether the Highland Wind project can comply with the sound limits established by the Commission. Based on our review, RENEW believes that this information warrants Commission consideration. We therefore support Applicant’s request for leave to present additional evidence, as well as its request to allow interveners to respond to its request prior to the next open meeting. RENEW also supports Applicant’s request to the Commission not to issue a final denial order in this proceeding, as well as its suggested procedures and related time frames for presenting additional evidence in a manner that allows the Commission to issue a final order by March 25.
Discussion: RENEW supports the Applicant’s Emergency Request because we believe that operational curtailment is an appropriate and effective mitigation measure to ensure compliance with applicable sound emissions standards. In fact, we believe that operational curtailment is the most effective tool available to a windpower project operator for reducing sonic output from individual wind turbines to allowable levels. Of the many variables and factors that determine what levels of sound might be measurable at a residence near a wind turbine (e.g., wind speed differential at different elevations, barometric pressure, humidity, background sound levels), the only one that is fully under the project operator’s control is power production. Operational curtailment limits power generation from turbines, which results in a reduction of sound emissions. The Commission is fully cognizant of the role that operational curtailment can play in controlling sound emissions, as demonstrated by the conditions it imposed on the Glacier Hills wind project in its January 2010 order and by the provisions it approved in the development of PSC 128. In the latter instance, PSC 128.14 explicitly allows project owners to use curtailment procedures to maintain sound emissions below the maximum allowable levels.
Many of today’s utility-scale wind turbines come equipped with automated curtailment protocols that are triggered under a variety of atmospheric conditions. The more sophisticated models can ratchet power production when sensors detect atmospheric conditions that could contribute to long-distance sound propagation. As stated in its Emergency Request, Highland Wind is committed to using only those wind turbine models that are programmed to curtail power output based on real-time atmospheric phenomena such as wind shear. This commitment should remove any lingering uncertainty over whether Highland Wind can operate in full compliance with the sound limits specified by the Commission in this proceeding.
Summary: Apart from the question of whether Highland Wind can comply with sound limits modeled for the Commission’s consideration, this project undeniably advances the public interest in terms of stimulating local economic development, diversifying our region’s resource portfolio, enhancing energy security, and reducing pollution caused by fossil generation sources. We believe that the Applicant is correct that the existing record supports issuance of a CPCN with appropriate conditions. Moreover, the exhibits and affidavits submitted with Applicant’s Emergency Request fully address any lingering questions that the Commission might have about the project’s sound profile. For that reason, RENEW believes that these filings should be entered into evidence and made a part of the record, so that the Commission has a factually solid foundation for rendering a decision on Highland Wind.
Respectfully submitted this 25th day of February 2013.
by jboullion | Feb 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
This brief article was originally posted room the Iowa Energy Center. See the original article here.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) reports that in January 2013, 100 percent of new electric generating capacity was renewable. The full dataset from FERC outlines the January additions: 958 megawatts of wind, 267 of solar, and 6 megawatts of biomass, totaling 1,231 megawatts of capacity.
The megawatts of wind and solar from January 2013 outnumbered the megawatts of natural gas and coal in January 2012. While this is exciting news, it is unlikely that this renewable-only trend will continue for the rest of 2013.
Below are two pie charts showing the new capacity in January 2012 and the new capacity in January 2013. Click on the charts for interactive content courtesy of grist.com.
