by jboullion | Oct 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2012
Contact: Jay Mundinger
414-736-9245
Lawsuit against Emerging Energies deemed “frivolous”, attorneys forced to pay $1,500
(Madison, Wis.) – Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, LLC, the developer of the proposed Highland Wind Farm, thought they had been legally wronged by wind farm opponents (The Forest Voice) and their attorneys back in 2011, and a federal court ruled they were correct.
In a decision dated September 30, 2012, District Judge William M. Conley ruled that the claims against EEW by leaders of the Forest Voice (Plaintiffs: Judi Beestman, Bill Dyer, Jeff Ericson, Brenda Salseg, Robert Salseg and Scott Voeltz) and their attorneys (Glenn Stoddard, Patricia Keahna) were “frivolous.”
“…the court finds that plaintiffs’ claims against Emerging Energies…were ‘baseless or made without a reasonable and competent inquiry.’ ” – Judge William M. Conley
“We have been completely transparent through this entire process as we’ve tried to bring clean, renewable energy to St. Croix County,” said Jay Mundinger. “Some very responsible town officials lost their jobs after initially approving our Highland Wind Farm project two years ago, and we’ve been fighting ever since. We feel a level of vindication here.”
The $250 million Highland project, as proposed, in the Town of Forest will generate 102.5 megawatts of electricity from 41 turbines – enough to power 30,000 homes. After receiving initial approval from the Town of Forest Board and its three members in 2010, they were all eventually recalled and the new board has been challenging the project to-date.
The federal ruling also found:
“…as officers of the court, Attorneys Stoddard and Keahna should have known they had no legal or factual basis to name Emerging Energies as a defendant…” – Judge Conley
The court ordered Stoddard to pay EEW $1,000 and Keahna $500 for their frivolous action.
Public Service Commission hearings for the Highland Wind Farm are scheduled to begin next week in Madison and the Town of Forest.
“We continue to believe this project will provide meaningful economic benefits and payments to the communities here and help Wisconsin develop cleaner sources of electricity for consumers,” said Mundinger.
Highland Wind Farm Specifics:
- 26,550 acre project boundary
- 41 turbine sites with 11 additional alternative locations
- 100 + member construction workforce 6-8 permanent employees for wind farm operations
- 6,200 acres already under lease from property owners for turbine sites, access roads, distribution lines
- Connects to Xcel Energy’s 161-kilovolt transmission line near Forest-Cylon town line.
-END-
by Ed Blume | Oct 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2012
Contact: Jay Mundinger
414-736-9245
Lawsuit against Emerging Energies deemed “frivolous”, attorneys forced to pay $1,500
(Madison, Wis.) – Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, LLC, the developer of the proposed Highland Wind Farm, thought they had been legally wronged by wind farm opponents (The Forest Voice) and their attorneys back in 2011, and a federal court ruled they were correct.
In a decision dated September 30, 2012, District Judge William M. Conley ruled that the claims against EEW by leaders of the Forest Voice (Plaintiffs: Judi Beestman, Bill Dyer, Jeff Ericson, Brenda Salseg, Robert Salseg and Scott Voeltz) and their attorneys (Glenn Stoddard, Patricia Keahna) were “frivolous.”
“…the court finds that plaintiffs’ claims against Emerging Energies…were ‘baseless or made without a reasonable and competent inquiry.’ ” – Judge William M. Conley
“We have been completely transparent through this entire process as we’ve tried to bring clean, renewable energy to St. Croix County,” said Jay Mundinger. “Some very responsible town officials lost their jobs after initially approving our Highland Wind Farm project two years ago, and we’ve been fighting ever since. We feel a level of vindication here.”
The $250 million Highland project, as proposed, in the Town of Forest will generate 102.5 megawatts of electricity from 41 turbines – enough to power 30,000 homes. After receiving initial approval from the Town of Forest Board and its three members in 2010, they were all eventually recalled and the new board has been challenging the project to-date.
The federal ruling also found:
“…as officers of the court, Attorneys Stoddard and Keahna should have known they had no legal or factual basis to name Emerging Energies as a defendant…” – Judge Conley
The court ordered Stoddard to pay EEW $1,000 and Keahna $500 for their frivolous action.
Public Service Commission hearings for the Highland Wind Farm are scheduled to begin next week in Madison and the Town of Forest.
“We continue to believe this project will provide meaningful economic benefits and payments to the communities here and help Wisconsin develop cleaner sources of electricity for consumers,” said Mundinger.
Highland Wind Farm Specifics:
- 26,550 acre project boundary
- 41 turbine sites with 11 additional alternative locations
- 100 + member construction workforce 6-8 permanent employees for wind farm operations
- 6,200 acres already under lease from property owners for turbine sites, access roads, distribution lines
- Connects to Xcel Energy’s 161-kilovolt transmission line near Forest-Cylon town line.
-END-
by Ed Blume | Oct 4, 2012 | Uncategorized
A great article from Erik Curren from Energy Bulletin. Here is an excerpt:
The U.S. is lagging other industrial nations in renewable energy. And it’s not for lack of technology but rather, too much politics.
A year ago I would’ve loved the optimistic and can-do tone of Power from the People: How to Organize, Finance, and Launch Local Energy Projects.
While all too many solar panel and wind turbine buffs are Polyannas who promise that America can enjoy decades of economic growth in the future if only we’d dump dirty energy for solar and wind, author Greg Pahl offers a more realistic assessment of the limited potential of clean energy. Pahl is a peak oiler who understands the concentrated power of fossil fuels and knows that no amount of renewables can replace the energy we now get from coal, oil and natural gas.
Power from the People
Power from the People: How to Organize, Finance, and Launch Local Energy Projects by Greg Pahl, foreword by Van Jones, Chelsea Green Publishing, 250 pp, $19.95.
Fortunately, Pahl is also free from the cynicism of many self-appointed “net-energy” experts who, when asked about solar and wind reply, “If it ain’t as powerful as oil, why bother?”
Instead, Pahl is practical enough to see that once the coal and natural gas deplete and get too expensive, if we want any electricity at all in the future it will have to come from renewables.
Before my own descent into the hell of working with a company trying to develop renewables in a conservative southeastern state, I would’ve cheered Pahl on as he called for a switch from today’s centralized power plants to a bright democratic future of distributed generation — a solar panel on every roof.
But now, after my company had to fight off two cease-and-desist letters and an expensive legal battle with the state’s largest electric utility before we were able to complete a solar installation at a university, I bring a wary eye to Pahl’s cheery case studies of cutting-edge community energy projects in such greenie paradises as Oregon, Colorado and Pahl’s own Vermont.
I no longer say, “Wow, that’s impressive. Why don’t we try that here?” Instead, I just find myself getting jealous and resentful.
Damn Vermont, I think to myself, with all their farmers-market-shopping, bicycle-commuting, townhall-meeting, New-York-leaving, clean-energy-installing old hippies.
In my state of Virginia it sometimes feels like we have plenty of NASCAR fans but barely enough old hippies to fill one floor of an assisted living place.
And that’s a big part of why we have to suffer under a Republican governor who pays lip service to “all of the above” energy sources but spends his real effort pushing offshore drilling, and coal and uranium mining all while America’s seventh richest state enjoys about as much clean energy as Rwanda.
In this state, you’ll get coal. And you’ll like it too.
Some parts of the United States offer excellent incentives and support to help level the playing field with grid power and make renewables affordable. And this public policy makes all the difference.
California may be #1 in solar, but un-sunny New Jersey is #2. And that’s not because you need to slather on SPF 60 if you’re visiting Newark or Teaneck.
Read the full article here.
by jboullion | Oct 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
From Solar Energy Industries Association:
SEIA released its annual public poll examining what likely voters think about solar, and the results are resounding: American voters love solar. The poll found that more than nine out of 10 (92 percent) of likely voters feel that the U.S. should develop and use more solar energy.
…
This support was strong across the political spectrum with 84 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of independents, and 98 percent of Democrats agreeing. And that’s not all — voters want the government to do more to foster and grow the solar industry, including providing federal and state financial incentives.
Read the poll highlights here.
by jboullion | Oct 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
From Solar Energy Industries Association:
SEIA released its annual public poll examining what likely voters think about solar, and the results are resounding: American voters love solar. The poll found that more than nine out of 10 (92 percent) of likely voters feel that the U.S. should develop and use more solar energy.
…
This support was strong across the political spectrum with 84 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of independents, and 98 percent of Democrats agreeing. And that’s not all — voters want the government to do more to foster and grow the solar industry, including providing federal and state financial incentives.
Read the poll highlights here.
by Ed Blume | Oct 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
From Solar Energy Industries Association:
SEIA released its annual public poll examining what likely voters think about solar, and the results are resounding: American voters love solar. The poll found that more than nine out of 10 (92 percent) of likely voters feel that the U.S. should develop and use more solar energy.
…
This support was strong across the political spectrum with 84 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of independents, and 98 percent of Democrats agreeing. And that’s not all — voters want the government to do more to foster and grow the solar industry, including providing federal and state financial incentives.
Read the poll highlights here.
by Ed Blume | Sep 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
Michael Vickerman, RENEW director of programs and policy, gestures toward Lake Monona during the announcement of a “Clean Lakes, Clean Energy” initiative by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi (right in suit coat).
For Immediate Release
September 27, 2012
New technology to eliminate 100% of lake polluting phosphorus, expanded lake
clean‐up partnership, “CNG by 2023,” and Solar Powered “Green Highway
Garage” among highlights
Near the shores of Lake Monona today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced his
comprehensive 2013 “Clean Lakes, Clean Energy” plan to be included in his 2013 county budget that will be introduced to the County Board on Monday.
“Cleaning up our lakes, preserving our lands, and investing in green energy like solar, wind, and alternative fuels are shared values that enhance our quality of life we enjoy in Dane County,” Parisi said. “My budget reflects a continued commitment to protecting and enhancing the resources that make our home such an attractive place to live, work, and visit,” he added.
One of the cornerstones of Parisi’s $4.5 million capital lakes clean‐up initiative, is brand new technology that successfully removes 100% of the pollutant phosphorus from animal waste.
Parisi’s budget will have $300,000 to install this cutting edge system as part of the new manure digester being built in the Town of Springfield in early 2013.
“Technology is rapidly evolving and this system not only keeps our county on the cutting edge of lake clean‐up, it also could be the gateway to developing additional manure digesters in areas where we know phosphorus run‐off is a problem,” Parisi said.
Phosphorus is the main culprit for smelly, unsightly lakes. One pound of phosphorus removed
from our watershed prevents 500 pounds of algae growth in our lakes.
The system would be the first to operate in Wisconsin, and was the winner of a Top Ten New
Farm Technology Award at World Dairy Expo in 2011.
Parisi also announced that his administration, along with Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and the 30 cities, villages, towns and private partners comprising the Yahara WINs pilot project, are proposing to triple their lakes clean up and phosphorus reduction partnership next year.
As part of the proposal, Yahara WINs will fund $180,000 in county‐led work next year to ensure timely implementation of phosphorus‐reducing practices on farm fields. Yahara WINs is a first in‐the‐nation effort to reduce phosphorus at one‐quarter of the normal cost.
By using simple, low‐cost practices like planting buffer strips on farm fields or building roofs over animal feeding areas, farm families are partnering with the county and Yahara WINs to save taxpayer dollars. This proposal is contingent on the support of the Yahara WINs Executive Committee.
“Our partnership with the county and others in Dane county is allowing the District to achieve real improvements in the quality of our lakes and streams and to be cost effective with our limited dollars,” said Chief Engineer and Director of MMSD, Michael Mucha.
The County Executive’s budget also addresses a top recommendation from the Lakes and
Watershed Commission by adding new staff to enhance the county’s clean lakes phosphorus reduction efforts in rural and urban areas. The staff will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of various programs through state of the art technology.
“Clean water is key to our economy and quality of life,” said Lakes and Watershed Commission Chair Melissa Malott. “County Executive Parisi’s investment in our lakes is a clear demonstration of his commitment to a healthy, prosperous future in Dane County.”
Another item in the County Executive’s budget expands the promise for cleaner lakes through an innovative $50,000 pilot project. The pilot will test the effectiveness of using alum, an everyday house‐hold canning product, to prevent phosphorus from leaving our farm fields.
A laboratory bench‐scale test will be conducted using water samples from county‐owned farm land operated by the Endres Berryridge Farm in the Town of Springfield. Alum will be applied to water taken from a drainage ditch on the property, and the runoff will be tested to assess the alum’s effectiveness in neutralizing phosphorus.
“Dane County’s farm families are good stewards of the land and have been long‐time partners in our efforts to reduce phosphorus and clean up the lakes,” said Parisi. “Lake runoff comes from urban and rural areas, and my budget takes a comprehensive approach to address both sources.”
Parisi also announced Thursday that his budget will include another new initiative – ‘CNG by 2023’ – the county’s commitment to expanded use of this cheaper, cleaner fuel, and the conversion of the county vehicle fleet to run on CNG over the next decade.
To kick off the initiative, Parisi will fund the purchase of a pilot fleet of snow plows in 2013 that will run on CNG. Dane County will become the first county in Wisconsin to invest in these new trucks, currently in their final stages of development.
Parisi’s budget also includes an additional $50,000 for a study that will provide a roadmap to accelerate converting county vehicles to CNG. The study will include evaluating existing county facilities for the potential development of additional CNG filling stations, including at the county’s future community digester sites.
The county currently has 16 CNG vehicles, and plans to nearly double its CNG fleet by the end of the year. This switch to CNG will offset the use of approximately 20,000 gallons of diesel and gasoline, saving county taxpayers roughly $40,000 annually.
The current CNG fleet fills up with fuel generated by decaying garbage at the county’s Rodefeld Landfill. Dane County is the first location in the state that’s fueling vehicles on landfill gas.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CNG reduces carbon monoxide by 90 percent, ground‐level ozone emissions by 75 percent, and greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. Because CNG burns so cleanly, natural gas vehicles cost less to maintain. CNG vehicles show significantly less engine wear, spark plugs last longer, and oil changes are needed less frequently.
Parisi’s budget also continues his commitment to cleaner energy and the creation of more green jobs throughout Dane County.
The budget includes $500,000 to construct a new solar powered system on the roof of a new highway garage the county plans to build next year near the Rodefeld Landfill. This new “green garage” will compliment the largest municipally owned solar project in Wisconsin that will debut at the Dane County Regional Airport in 2013. Once built, the garage will be heated with gas generated by the county’s landfill and powered by solar energy – taking it completely off the grid.
The County Executive’s cleaner energy measures for 2013 also include a $150,000 investment to explore and implement a pilot wind power project to be installed at a county facility to be determined. One of those facilities that will be evaluated will be the Springfield Highway garage.
Green jobs mean big business in Dane County – the county/Madison metropolitan area ranked 7th in the nation in the number of green jobs as a percentage of all jobs in the region according to a 2011 Brookings Institute study. The report found there are 12,337 green jobs (representing 3.5% of the total workforce) and that our green economy ranks 43rd among the 100 largest metro areas.
Parisi’s budget will also include:
- Expanding the county’s successful Streambank Easement Program to open up more
areas for public fishing access. Previous easements have created some of the best
public trout fishing in the country and made a name for Dane County in outdoor
recreation. Dane County will host the 2013 National Trout Unlimited Convention in
2013. Parisi’s budget will include $150,000 for this effort.
- Investments in new technology to enhance the experience of Dane County’s parks. A
$150,000 WiFi pilot project at Lake Farm and Babcock County Parks will increase high
tech access and mobility for park users in the campgrounds and on the trails. New
staffing resources will develop mobile web apps for campsite reservations, hiking and
biking trails, and more.
- Additional staff added to help keep Dane County’s network of parks and trails clean and
accessible to all residents and visitors.
“My budget initiatives are an investment in our quality of life,” said Parisi. “As these projects
are implemented, we’ll see a return on those investments in the years ahead through taxpayer
dollars saved, jobs created, and a cleaner environment.”
# # #
by jboullion | Sep 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
Immediate release
September 27, 2012
More information
Michael Vickerman
Director, Program and Policy
608.255.4044, ext. 2
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
(Madison) – In testimony submitted to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on Wednesday, RENEW Wisconsin objected to We Energies’ proposal to weaken its net-metering service to new customers seeking to generate electricity on-site using solar panels and other renewable energy systems.
In its current rate proceeding, We Energies proposes not to pay a new customer-generator for any electricity produced in excess of the amount consumed on site.
“We Energies’ proposal is a radical departure from its current practice paying the full retail rate for energy that’s fed back to the utility’s system,” said Michael Vickerman, director of programs and policy for RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
“This proposal is the most extreme example yet of We Energies’ ongoing retreat from customer-sited renewables, and we urge the PSCW to reject it.
Net metering allows customers to sell the unused output from their solar electric or other renewable energy systems back to the utility at the full retail rate each month, so long as the total amount of electricity produced is less than or equal to the customers’ usage.
“Utilities routinely pay for all the energy supplied by non-utility generators to its system.
“By refusing to purchase the small amounts of electricity they may export to the utility, We Energies is abusing its monopoly power in a way that discriminates against its own customers.” Vickerman said.
In its proposal, We Energies would limit its net metering service to systems no larger than 20 kilowatts. In contrast, Madison Gas & Electric, Xcel Energy, and Wisconsin Public Service provide net metering to systems as large as 100 kilowatts.
“When you take into account what other in-state utilities are offering, it seems obvious that We Energies is asking for special treatment from the PSC.
Yet, it has provided nothing in its rate case to demonstrate that a higher net metering ceiling would cause it any more harm than to the other utilities,” said Vickerman.
Vickerman pointed to Michigan as a better model for setting net-metering service standards.
“Thanks to legislation passed in 2008, We Energies’ Michigan customers enjoy a much higher standard of service than what the utility proposes for its Wisconsin customers,” Vickerman said.
“Along with all other investor-owned utilities in Michigan, We Energies must provide full retail credit for all electricity produced by renewable energy systems up to 20 kW and must provide a reasonable net metering rate for systems up to 150 kW.”
In the most recent Freeing the Grid: Best Practices in State Metering Policies report prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Michigan rated an “A” for its net-metering policies. By comparison, Wisconsin earned a “C.” The report can be viewed here.
Earlier this month, RENEW issued a report card grading individual utility performance on renewable energy, in which We Energies received a “C” for its 2011 performance.
-END-
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean renewable energy in Wisconsin.More information on RENEW’s Web site at www.renewwisconsin.org.
by jboullion | Sep 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
(Madison) – In testimony submitted to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on Wednesday, RENEW Wisconsin objected to We Energies’ proposal to weaken its net-metering service to new customers seeking to generate electricity on-site using solar panels and other renewable energy systems.
In its current rate proceeding, We Energies proposes not to pay a new customer-generator for any electricity produced in excess of the amount consumed on site.
“We Energies’ proposal is a radical departure from its current practice paying the full retail rate for energy that’s fed back to the utility’s system,” said Michael Vickerman, director of programs and policy for RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
“This proposal is the most extreme example yet of We Energies’ ongoing retreat from customer-sited renewables, and we urge the PSCW to reject it.
Net metering allows customers to sell the unused output from their solar electric or other renewable energy systems back to the utility at the full retail rate each month, so long as the total amount of electricity produced is less than or equal to the customers’ usage.
“Utilities routinely pay for all the energy supplied by non-utility generators to its system.
“By refusing to purchase the small amounts of electricity they may export to the utility, We Energies is abusing its monopoly power in a way that discriminates against its own customers.” Vickerman said.
In its proposal, We Energies would limit its net metering service to systems no larger than 20 kilowatts. In contrast, Madison Gas & Electric, Xcel Energy, and Wisconsin Public Service provide net metering to systems as large as 100 kilowatts.
“When you take into account what other in-state utilities are offering, it seems obvious that We Energies is asking for special treatment from the PSC.
Yet, it has provided nothing in its rate case to demonstrate that a higher net metering ceiling would cause it any more harm than to the other utilities,” said Vickerman.
Vickerman pointed to Michigan as a better model for setting net-metering service standards.
“Thanks to legislation passed in 2008, We Energies’ Michigan customers enjoy a much higher standard of service than what the utility proposes for its Wisconsin customers,” Vickerman said.
“Along with all other investor-owned utilities in Michigan, We Energies must provide full retail credit for all electricity produced by renewable energy systems up to 20 kW and must provide a reasonable net metering rate for systems up to 150 kW.”
In the most recent Freeing the Grid: Best Practices in State Metering Policies report prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Michigan rated an “A” for its net-metering policies. By comparison, Wisconsin earned a “C.” The report can be viewed here.
Earlier this month, RENEW issued a report card grading individual utility performance on renewable energy, in which We Energies received a “C” for its 2011 performance.
-END-
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and individuals who seek more clean renewable energy in Wisconsin.More information on RENEW’s Web site at www.renewwisconsin.org.
by Ed Blume | Sep 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
(Madison) – In testimony submitted to the Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on Wednesday, RENEW Wisconsin objected to We
Energies’ proposal to weaken its net-metering service to new customers seeking
to generate electricity on-site using solar panels and other renewable energy
systems.
In its current rate proceeding, We Energies proposes not
to pay a new customer-generator for any electricity produced in excess of the
amount consumed on site.
“We Energies’ proposal is a radical
departure from its current practice paying the full retail rate for energy
that’s fed back to the utility’s system,” said Michael Vickerman, director of
programs and policy for RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy
organization.
“This proposal is the most
extreme example yet of We Energies’ ongoing retreat from customer-sited
renewables, and we urge the PSCW to reject it.
Net metering allows customers to sell
the unused output from their solar electric or other renewable energy systems
back to the utility at the full retail rate each month, so long as the total
amount of electricity produced is less than or equal to the customers’
usage.
“Utilities routinely pay for all the energy supplied by non-utility generators to its
system.
“By refusing to purchase the
small amounts of electricity they may export to the utility, We Energies is abusing
its monopoly power in a way that discriminates against its own customers.”
Vickerman said.
In
its proposal, We Energies would limit its net metering service to systems no
larger than 20 kilowatts. In contrast, Madison Gas & Electric, Xcel Energy,
and Wisconsin Public Service provide net metering to systems as large as 100
kilowatts.
“When you take into account what other in-state
utilities are offering, it seems obvious that We Energies is asking for special
treatment from the PSC.
Yet, it has
provided nothing in its rate case to demonstrate that a higher net metering ceiling
would cause it any more harm than to the other utilities,” said Vickerman.
Vickerman
pointed to Michigan as a better model for setting net-metering service
standards.
“Thanks
to legislation passed in 2008, We Energies’ Michigan customers enjoy a much
higher standard of service than what the utility proposes for its Wisconsin
customers,” Vickerman said.
“Along with
all other investor-owned utilities in Michigan, We Energies must provide full
retail credit for all electricity produced by renewable energy systems up to 20
kW and must provide a reasonable net metering rate for systems up to 150 kW.”
In
the most recent Freeing the Grid: Best Practices in State Metering Policies report
prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Michigan rated an “A”
for its net-metering policies. By comparison, Wisconsin earned a “C.” The report can be viewed here.
Earlier this month, RENEW issued
a report card grading individual utility performance
on renewable energy, in which We Energies received a “C” for its 2011 performance.
-END-
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations, and
individuals who seek more clean renewable energy in Wisconsin.More information on RENEW’s Web site at
www.renewwisconsin.org.
