by jboullion | Aug 12, 2013 | Uncategorized
With comments from RENEW’s executive director Tyler Huebner, Mike Ivey’s article for the Capitol Times dissects the Public Service Commission’s decision to suspend Focus on Energy incentives for wind and solar. According to quoted Focus on Energy officials, the incentive program is looking to the PSC for direction, direction that Wisconsin residents must work to steer toward investment in the state’s once growing wind and solar industry. You have the opportunity to voice your concern over the PSC’s decision until 12pm today. Please add your voice to the 500+ comments that have already been submitted to the PSC.
Efforts to develop the solar and wind energy industry in Wisconsin have taken another hit, although not a completely unexpected one.
Under orders from the Public Service Commission, the state has stopped offering grants to help homeowners and rural residents install solar or small scale wind projects.
The move stems from a previous PSC decision to shift renewable energy incentives offered through the Focus on Energy program to biofuel projects.
The Focus program is overseen by the PSC in conjunction with state electric utilities, who fund the effort via money collected from ratepayers.
Up to $10 million in renewable energy funds are available annually. The commission last year voted to commit 75 percent of that funding to biofuels, with the remaining 25 percent going to solar and wind projects.
The commission says biofuels in Wisconsin offer greater energy efficiency potential than solar or wind.
But biofuel projects — which include burning waste wood or using manure digesters to generate electricity — have been slow to develop and won’t come close to using all the available funding this year. Focus projects it will spend $3.05 million total on renewable, with a breakdown of $1.6 million for solar and $1.4 million on biofuels.
So to maintain a 75-25 split in renewable spending for 2013, the commission ordered a halt to the solar and wind grants through the end of this year.
Suspension of the grants was made public last week by the environmental group Renew Wisconsin, which is urging concerned citizens to weigh in with PSC prior to its meeting on Aug 13.
[READ MORE]
by jboullion | Aug 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
Recently released research investigating wind turbine sound complaints in the province of Alberta Canada and infrasound and low-frequency sound levels near Australian wind farms provides a compelling argument for wind energy. Chris Long’s article below highlights this research, showing that wind turbine sound complaints are uncommon unless instigated by anti-wind groups and that infrasound and low-frequency sound levels are not impacted by nearby wind farms.
By Chris Long
The last few weeks have been busy ones on wind turbine sound, with new
developments continuing to cast doubt on anti-wind groups’
claims.Perhaps the most telling is a new study from Canada’s Pembina Institute, looking at wind farm complaints (or rather, the lack of wind farm complaints) in the province of Alberta, where some of the earliest wind farms in Canada were installed.
In a blog post about the study, Pembina’s Benjamin Thibault explains,
“[U]nlike some parts of the country, we don’t tend to hear much about
[wind power in Alberta], so my colleagues and I wondered whether, in
fact, we were just missing something.”
In fact, it turned out, while the Alberta Utilities Commission, which
regulates electricity in the province, has a 13-year-old database with
the records of 31,000 contacts from members of the public, not one of
those 31,000 contacts has been about the sound of operating wind
turbines. That’s a very striking finding, but it lends credence to the
work of Australian Prof. Simon Chapman of the University of Sydney, who has a pending study
finding that complaints about turbine sound in Australia are heavily
focused on areas where anti-wind groups have been conducting public
campaigns.
Pembina researchers went further to unearth evidence of complaints, Mr. Thibault says, contacting:
“- Operators of existing wind energy projects;
– Municipalities (municipal districts and counties) where operating wind energy projects are located;
– Local and provincial health authorities; and
– Municipal agricultural fieldmen.”
The results?
“The operators of the wind farms did report some complaints during
operations, noting eight unique complaints, most of which were resolved
noise complaints (five), along with a few generalized complaints about
wind energy broadly.
“Only three complaints about operating wind farms came to the seven
Alberta municipalities with wind energy projects: one about ice throw
that was investigated and dismissed, one about the density of wind
turbines offering a terrorism opportunity, and one about noise, which
was referred to the operator.
“No more complaints were found with the health contacts surveyed (two
regional health inspectors covering municipal districts with over half
of Alberta’s wind energy) or the livestock contacts (five agricultural
fieldmen also covering the majority of the experience).”
[READ MORE]
by jboullion | Aug 8, 2013 | Uncategorized
Since last Friday over 430 individuals and local businesses have stood up to register their concern for Wisconsin solar and wind energy.
The PSC announced that comments will be accepted through Noon on Monday, August 12th. Also, they issued a document that indicated comments are being taken on the five specific issues the PSC Commissioners decided upon. Please visit RENEW’s website to learn more and add your voice by commenting in the PSC’s open docket 05-GF-191 (some additional tips for your comments are below).
On Issue #4 in your comment, please emphasize that obligations should be used rather than actual outlays to determine the amount of funding distributed for renewable energy incentives.
- Businesses need predictability and certainty to flourish and hire more employees. The on-again, off-again history with Focus on Energy incentives undermines the ability of renewable energy companies to maintain staffing levels, let alone plan for future growth. Consistency in expectations is what nurtures a market, not a lottery style incentive structure that no one can bank on.
- Ending these incentives for solar and wind renewables because the biogas, biomass, and geothermal projects are still in progress doesn’t make any sense. Even though the accounting is difficult, it’s not nearly as difficult as the impacts of lost jobs throughout Wisconsin.
- In the last five years the price of solar energy has dropped in half, making it a more affordable and cost effective option for customers. That trend should prompt the PSC to reconsider the idea of having Groups of renewables, because market conditions have changed quickly.
- Other states like Minnesota and Georgia have adopted pro solar policies to take advantage of this rapidly growing industry sector. How does Wisconsin gain from discouraging investment in clean energy and driving businesses to locate in other states?
by jboullion | Aug 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Cathy Stepp, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources, headed a ceremony to enroll Red Eye Brewing Co. brew pub and restaurant in the Wisconsin Green Tier program at the Tier 1 level last week Wednesday at Red Eye, Washington Street, Wausau. Red Eye has the distinction of becoming the first brew pub and restaurant in Wisconsin to achieve this status and the only Green Tier 1 business in Marathon County. Read last week’s press below and Cassandra Vinch’s article for WAOW to learn more.
To achieve enrollment, Red Eye had to demonstrate a satisfactory environmental record, commit to superior environmental performance and implement an Environmental Management System. Tier 1 is designed to encourage innovation, collaboration and new environmental goal setting.
According to Brett Danke, an owner, Red Eye has since it opened in May 2008 implemented an environmental policy and practiced sustainability efforts throughout its business operation. The company’s environmental record was documented in its Green Tier application. (Red Eye Environmental Policy follows).
According to the DNR, Green Tier Program legislation provides incentives such as regulatory flexibility and permit streamlining to environmentally responsible businesses. The law creates a program in which qualified businesses make legal commitments to superior environmental performance through contracts negotiated with the Department of Natural Resources. The businesses in exchange are allowed flexibility in how their environmental goals are achieved.
Ceremony in Shadow of Solar Panels
Sec. Stepp will present the Green Tier 1 enrollment certificate to Danke during ceremonies to be held in the shadow of the solar voltaic panels car port in the Red Eye parking lot. Alderperson Romey Wagner will speak on behalf of the City of Wausau. A reception and tour of Red Eye’s environmental business practices will follow.
Applications of its environmental policy most obvious to Red Eye visitors are the solar voltaic panels car port installed in June, solar water heating panels on the roof and waterless toilets in rest rooms. A conversion to all LED lighting was recently completed.
To reduce its carbon footprint, Red Eye purchases food ingredients locally and regionally, sends its spent brewing grains to local farmers for feed, uses recyclable containers for takeout foods, and serves beer only in glass mugs and glasses or refillable take away growlers. Excess baked goods are donated to a local food pantry.
Red Eye is located on a Metro Ride bus route. It promotes bicycle transportation by its guests. And it sponsors an adopt-a-highway cleanup effort.
by jboullion | Aug 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
Tom Content’s article for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the repercussions of the Public Service Commission’s decision to suspend Focus on Energy incentives for solar and wind energy installations. Comments from RENEW Wisconsin are included in this article but please also see our website for key points to include in a comment to the PSC in docket 5-GF-191. By registering your concern over this chilling development you are standing up for Wisconsin jobs, 330-Wisconsin based wind and solar businesses, and clean, renewable energy.
By Tom Content
Incentives that help homeowners install solar electric and solar hot
water systems in Wisconsin are being suspended for the second time in
three years. A recent decision by the state Public Service Commission means the
state Focus on Energy program will stop awarding the solar incentives
from mid-August through the end of the year.
Focus is an initiative that’s overseen by the state PSC as well as
the state’s utilities. Focus on Energy was created to to help utility
customers receive incentives to make homes and businesses more
energy-efficient and install renewable energy systems.
“We understand that there will likely be some frustration due to any changes,” Focus on Energy said in announcing the suspension.
“However, the Commission’s direction will help us create a clear plan
for 2014. We anticipate the residential prescriptive incentives for
Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic to resume in January 2014.”
Focus has been providing incentives of up to $1,200 for solar hot water systems and $2,400 for solar power systems.
After Aug. 13, when the PSC is expected to finalize a recent decision
on the matter, Focus will no longer provide the incentives this year,
said Tamara Sondgeroth, director of operations at Focus on Energy in
Madison.
The stop-start approach to funding renewables is bad for small
businesses that were hurt when renewable incentives were suspended two
years ago, said leaders at Renew Wisconsin, a renewable energy advocacy group.
[READ MORE]
by jboullion | Aug 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
PSC Delivers Another Blow to Beleaguered Renewable Energy Contractors
Immediate release — For the second time in three years, state of Wisconsin incentives for customer-sited solar and small wind systems will be suspended, a result of recent Public Service Commission (PSC) decisions affecting Focus on Energy’s renewable energy budget . The suspension will take effect August 13, according to Focus on Energy, and will run through the remainder of the year. Incentives for biogas and biomass installations are not affected by the PSC’s decisions.
The impending cut-off of solar and wind incentives follows an across-the-board suspension of renewable energy incentives that lasted one year before being lifted in July 2012. Focus on Energy is authorized to spend up to $10 million per year on renewable energy incentives.
Through May 2013, Focus on Energy had spent or obligated a total of $3,048,580 for projects expected to be placed in service this year. The suspension ensures that overall renewable energy awards in 2013 will fall well short of the $10 million maximum.
In 2012, the PSC established a two-tiered funding formula that allocates renewable energy incentives based on resource type. So-called Group 1 resources—biogas, biomass and geothermal (ground source heat pumps)–are eligible for 75% of program expenditures up to a maximum of $7,500,000 a year. Funding for so-called Group 2 resources—solar and small wind—cannot exceed 25% of renewable energy expenditures.
Under this structure, outlays for Group 1 resources determine the overall funding level for renewables, even though up to $10 million is available in a given program year.As a result of the funding suspension, no renewable energy incentives will be available to residential customers until 2014. Residential customers account for approximately 60% of Focus on Energy’s program dollars.
The following represents RENEW Wisconsin’s reaction to the suspension of incentives for solar and wind energy systems. RENEW Wisconsin’s advocacy was instrumental in creating a renewable energy component to Focus on Energy.
“First, let’s not stop these incentives simply because the accounting is difficult,” said Executive Director Tyler Huebner. “That may seem like the easiest fix for decision-makers in Madison, but this is going to cost jobs throughout Wisconsin, especially amongst the small businesses that do this work. Second, if the accounting is difficult, and we agree that it is, then let’s change it. The decisions to make the accounting difficult were made by the same three Commissioners just last year, and this recent decision only adds to the complexity.”
“The disruption to solar and wind incentives will inflict measurable financial hardship on contractors operating here, and will result in a net contraction of sales and jobs. This decision will likely force these contractors to shift the focus of their business to other states that are doing a better job of supporting solar and wind.”
“On several occasions before this decision, we communicated to the PSC the tenuous nature of the solar market today, and our best forecast of the likely impact from a disruption in the flow of incentives. By all appearances, the views of Wisconsin’s solar contractors were disregarded.”
“Yesterday, we sent a letter to the PSC asking it to reconsider this decision. This Friday, we will file comments with the PSC regarding future Focus on Energy planning, and our primary goal is to simplify the provision of incentives going forward. In our view, the current structure has proved to be an administrative nightmare, and this latest decision will worsen this already bad situation.”
“Finally, we don’t believe that providing policy support for the advancement of solar energy should be a partisan issue. It certainly isn’t in Georgia, where that state’s all-Republican utility commission ordered Georgia Power to acquire nearly 800 megawatts of solar by the end of 2016, effectively tripling what the state’s largest electric utility had already committed to provide.”
“It’s time for Wisconsin regulators to see the light on solar and let it drive our state’s economy forward,” Huebner said.
by jboullion | Jul 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Milwaukee Public Museum announced plans to cover the building’s 8-story tower with a 234 panel solar array. The completed project is predicted to produce 77,533 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
By Trisha Bee
MILWAUKEE (WITI) – The Milwaukee Public Museum’s south façade is getting a 21stcentury update. The marble cladding on the 8-story tower of the Museum, which was built in the mid-1960s, is being replaced with 234 solar panels. Work on the project, scheduled to last approximately five months, started Monday, July 29th with preparation for the removal of the marble exterior.
Over the past 50 years, the Museum’s heavy marble façade has weathered and become less stable, creating the need for an update on the south wall facing Wells Street. MPM explored both the use of recycled material and solar panels as replacement options, and decided on the later because of the energy-generating potential of solar. Milwaukee-based manufacturer Helios USA has been contracted to produce the Museum’s solar panels.
MPM’s solar wall is expected to generate 77,533 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, the equivalent of having 442, 60-watt light bulbs on for eight hours every day for an entire year. MPM will be the only building in Milwaukee with a full solar wall that is generating electricity.
During removal of the marble cladding, the MPM’s Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium and Bugs Alive! exhibit will be closed to ensure safety of Museum visitors and staff members. This phase of construction is expected to last approximately four weeks.
by jboullion | Jul 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
Wisconsin Environment Research and Policy Center’s report Lighting the Way: What We Can Learn from America’s Top 12 Solar States identifies the twelve states making the greatest contribution to the rise of solar power in the United States. The report observes that while Wisconsin’s solar capacity is growing, this growth is far behind the increase observed in the report’s top ranking states, lagging behind enough to earn Wisconsin a ranking of 26th in the nation for per capita solar installations. The full report and the press release below identify the strong renewable energy policies adopted by the top ranking states and the reasoning for Wisconsin’s low ranking.
Milwaukee – Today, Wisconsin Environment Research & Policy Center releasedLighting the Way: What We Can Learn from America’s Top 12 Solar States, a new report highlighting a solar energy boom across the country. The report outlines the twelve states that have made a considerable contribution to the nation’s rise in solar power. Wisconsin however, missed the cut and ranks 26th in the nation for per capita solar installations. Last year, solar capacity in Wisconsin grew by 7% bringing it to a total of 14 megawatts. But Wisconsin still trails behind leading solar states such as New Jersey that has more than 50 times as many solar installations per capita than Wisconsin.
“The sky’s the limit on solar energy,” said Megan Severson, State Advocate with Wisconsin Environment. “The progress of other states should give us the confidence that we can do much more. Our message today is clear: If you want your state to be a leader in pollution-free solar energy, set big goals and get good policies on the books.”
Solar is on the rise across the country. America has more than three times as much solar photovoltaic capacity as it did in 2010, and more than 10 times as much as it did in 2007. And now the price of solar panels fell by 26 percent in 2012. Wisconsin Environment attributed the solar boom to the leadership of state officials, especially those in states profiled in the report.
“More and more, homes and businesses are turning to solar as a pollution-free energy source with no fuel costs,” said Severson. “With the increasing threat of global warming, Wisconsin must become a leading solar state.”
[READ MORE]
by jboullion | Jul 26, 2013 | Utility Scale, Wind
If you support wind energy development in Wisconsin, and if you believe a responsibly designed project should not be shouted down by antiwind pressure groups, please communicate your position to the Public Service Commission, which will decide the fate of the Highland Wind project later this year. The Commission will accept online comments through August 12th.
Speak Up for Clean Energy on the Highland Wind Farm
The Highland Wind Farm is a clean energy project proposed for the Town of Forest (St. Croix County). The proposed farm will have 41 turbines and generate 102.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 25,000 homes. The process of getting the Highland Wind Farm permitted has been an ongoing battle riddled with propaganda and misinformation about wind. Recently we were pleased to learn that the Public Service Commission (PSC) agreed to reopen the case and reconsider permitting the wind farm. Although a public hearing has been scheduled for August 14, at 610 North Whitney Way, Madison, in the Amnicon Falls Room (First Floor) the PSC has informed us that they will hear testimony from the general public on August 15. You may also submit online comments until August 13. Unfortunately, opponents are already commenting, and they will be out in full force at the public hearing. Don’t let a vocal minority shut the door on clean energy in Wisconsin! Send in your comments today, and make plans to attend the public hearing.
You can submit a comment following these steps:1. Click here for the PSC website and fill out your information2. Write your comment. Feel free to use our talking points below to help form your comment, but also be sure to tell your personal story and reason for wanting more clean, wind energy in Wisconsin.3. Click ‘File Comments’
Talking Points:
- Wisconsin is falling behind in the clean energy transition. All of our neighboring states have installed more wind than Wisconsin. Meanwhile in our state, at least 3 wind projects have been canceled in the past few years after the legislature temporarily suspended Wisconsin’s uniform wind-siting rules, causing the loss of hundreds of megawatts of clean energy and over 1,000 potential jobs.
- The Highland Wind Farm will create over 100 jobs during construction and up to 8 permanent jobs. Over the next 30 years, it would provide $4.8 million in revenue to Forest Township, and over $6.8 million to St. Croix County.
- The most significant commercial activity in the Town of Forest is farming. The 25 host landowners would benefit from lease payments offered by the Highland Wind Farm, and this income is critical for anchoring the many family farms in this area.
- The Highland Wind Farm will follow Wisconsin’s Wind Siting Law, PSC 128, a policy created by a range of stakeholders over a several years designed to create business certainty and overcome the patchwork of local regulations that has threatened clean energy development in Wisconsin.
- The Public Service Commission needs to make decisions based on the law and what is good for the health of Wisconsin. The Highland Wind Farm is both.
- Wisconsin wants and needs wind and we shouldn’t let a vocal minority block clean energy opportunities.
Shahla M. Werner, Ph.D., Chapter DirectorSierra Club- John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton Street, Suite 11Madison, WI 53703-3201shahla.werner@sierraclub.orgPhone: (608) 256-0565Fax: (608) 256-4JMChttp://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/
by jboullion | Jul 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
–Immediate Release
In what will become the largest solar electric project serving a Wisconsin municipality, the City of Monona approved a contract this week that will result in the construction of rooftop arrays supplying renewable energy directly to four city-owned buildings. All four solar systems, totaling 156 kilowatts, should be online by year’s end.
The four Monona buildings selected to host the solar electric arrays are: City Hall, Public Library, Public Works Garage, and Public Works Dept. Well No. 3. All told, the solar arrays will produce more than 210,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy per year, equating to 30% of the buildings’ combined electricity usage.
The City will receive a stream of renewable energy credits along with the electrical output under a solar service partnership agreement with Falcon Energy Systems, a Colorado based investment group. Bloomington, MN-based tenKsolar will manufacture the solar generating arrays, and Madison-based Full Spectrum Solar will install and service the equipment on the city-owned sites. Earlier this month, tenKsolar and Full Spectrum Solar teamed up to install a 48 kilowatt system on the Arbor Crossing apartments in Shorewood Hills.
The project team was assembled by Solar Connections, LLC, a Madison consulting group that has also developed residential solar installations that were financed primarily by friends and neighbors of the host customer.
Consultants Kurt Reinhold and James Yockey first introduced this municipal solar model to the Sustainability Committee of the City of Monona in September of 2012, and has since been joined by Janine Glaeser, City Project Manager, to shepherd this project through numerous committees and hearings before Monday’s unanimous vote to adopt the resolution to enter into this solar services contract.
“Five years ago, Monona passed a resolution committing itself to greatly expand its own use of renewable energy by 2025,” said Kurt Reinhold, a principal with Solar Connections. “Not only will this partnership help Monona achieve its sustainable energy goals, it will also help the City save on its energy bills.”
“With this action, Monona joins the growing circle of Wisconsin businesses, communities and individuals committed to serving themselves with renewable energy produced on-site,” said Michael Vickerman, program and policy director of RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
“Through their actions, forward-thinking entities like Monona will reduce Wisconsin’s dependence on imported fossil fuels in a way that creates jobs and invigorates the local economy,” Vickerman said.
Read Gina Covelli’s article in the Herald Independent to learn more
