by jboullion | Mar 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chris Hubbuch in the La Crosse Tribune:
Wisconsin farmers have long known there’s money in manure, but extracting power was an option only for the biggest herds.
The state’s secretary of agriculture announced a $200,000 grant Friday to help a Tomah manufacturer develop a manure digester that could help small farms turn waste into electricity.
Though Wisconsin leads the nation in the agricultural use of anaerobic digesters, current technology — which requires on-site construction of concrete or steel structures — is best suited to farms with at least 1,000 animals.
USEMCO has developed a tank that makes it economical for farms with as few as 100 cows. The first model, which at peak production should generate enough electricity to power about 45 homes, will be tested on a 150-cow Chaseburg dairy.
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen said small-farm digesters could bolster the state’s manufacturing and agriculture industries while promoting clean energy.
If the test is successful, USEMCO president Pat Rezin expects the demand for digesters could mean 15 to 20 new jobs and an addition to his Tomah plant.
by jboullion | Mar 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
A letter to the editor of the Eau Claire Leader Telegram:
I was alarmed this month when the National Weather Service issued air quality alerts several times for the Chippewa Valley. These are supposed to happen in big cities, not here.
I have flown hot air balloons in this area for more than 10 years, and the visibility used to be good for more than 30 miles. I haven’t had visibility that good for more than five years. Initially, it was more evident at 1,000 feet, where we usually fly, but now it seems to be hazy all the time.
According to a National Weather Service publication, “Certainly natural forms of haze do exist. But … the type of haze commonly seen over the eastern half of the United States during summer is not predominantly natural. It is in fact primarily a vast blanket of man-made pollution.” The problem is that it’s been such a gradual change that we don’t notice it.
I look forward to taking my grandchildren on a balloon flight someday, but I doubt they will ever witness the incredible views I once did. While this makes me sad, what concerns me more is what we are leaving for future generations. Our quality of life is already being affected by the constant haze in the air.
The Web site www.airnow.gov provides a map of the Air Quality Index for the U.S. An air quality alert is issued when a dome of high pressure sits over an area for an extended time and traps the pollutants we emit. It’s like having the ventilation fan quit working in your bathroom. As the number of alerts increases, so do respiratory problems.
How bad will it have to get before we do more to fix this? I don’t care whether you call it global warming or climate change, whether you’re worried about polar bears or peak oil, whether you’re a Republican or Democrat: We need to get going.
The phrase used in the 1970s was, “The solution to pollution is dilution.” That seemed logical then because the oceans and atmosphere seemed so vast, but we learned that you can’t just dump everything in the water. We’ve done a pretty good job of cleaning up our waters, but now we have managed to reach the turning point of how much pollution our atmosphere can hold.
The climate change issue is primarily concerned with CO2 emissions and global warming, but the haze and pollution we experience has the same cause and solution. The solution is to reduce our emissions and to use more clean energy.
We are smart people in the Chippewa Valley, and I think we know what needs to be done, but we say it’s either “inconvenient” or “the payback isn’t fast enough” or “I’m not going to do anything until everyone else does too.” The time for excuses is done; we need to step up.
I don’t think things will ever be the same as they were unless we start making some big changes. I don’t believe anything until I see it with my own eyes, but now I can’t deny that things are getting worse, even in our backyard. This has been “An Inconvenient Proof” for me.
Idso lives in Eau Claire.
by jboullion | Mar 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
A letter to the editor of the Wausau Daily Herald:
Over the past two months, several hundred area residents have taken time to engage with us in positive, open conversations about the sustainable biomass energy plant that we’re proposing to build in Rothschild. Unfortunately, some facts continue to be misrepresented.
Fact: While there are many types of biomass that can be used for fuel, our plant will burn wood waste and wood waste only. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources permit clearly defines the biomass fuel to be used. Any deviation from that would result in strict penalties. Further, Wisconsin’s abundant forests can provide biomass fuel for many decades to come.
Fact: Our new biomass facility will reduce emissions at the Domtar mill site by approximately 30 percent through the replacement of the mill’s aging boilers with newer, cleaner boilers.
Fact: The project will be constructed by Wisconsin companies — companies that will hire an estimated 400 local workers to build the plant. And importantly, along with the generation of renewable power, a cleaner running paper mill and the addition of 150 jobs related to sustainable wood harvesting, the new biomass plant will boost Domtar’s sustainable papermaking operations. That means the Domtar mill will be better positioned to continue providing quality jobs for future generations of area residents. It is our desire and responsibility to answer your questions and to present the facts and data on this important project in an open and responsible way. We look forward to continuing our conversations.
Al Mihm, We Energies, Milwaukee
by jboullion | Mar 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Clean Wisconsin:
76% support policies stronger than those in the Clean Energy Jobs Act
MADISON — More than three-quarters of Wisconsin voters support renewable energy policies requiring 30 percent of our state’s power to come from renewable sources, according to polling data released today by a bipartisan research group.
“An overwhelming majority of Wisconsin’s voters recognize the need to replace our dependence on dirty, imported fossil fuels with new investments in clean, renewable energy,” said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization celebrating 40 years of service. “With no fossil fuel reserves of our own, transitioning toward renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, crops, and agricultural waste will help Wisconsin become more energy independent and economically prosperous.”
According to the data released today, 76 percent of Wisconsin voters support passing policies “ensuring that 30 percent of the state’s electricity comes from renewable sources.” Known as a renewable electricity standard, current policy ensures that only 10 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2015. The Clean Energy Jobs Act would set new goals by ensuring that 25 percent of our electricity comes from renewable resources by 2025.
“This data highlights the need to pass a strong renewable electricity standard in the Clean Energy Jobs Act,” said Reopelle. “Spending $16 billion dollars every year on out-of-state fossil fuels drains Wisconsin’s economy. By investing in renewable energy, we can create jobs and keep much of that money right here at home.”
by jboullion | Mar 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Clean Wisconsin:
76% support policies stronger than those in the Clean Energy Jobs Act
MADISON — More than three-quarters of Wisconsin voters support renewable energy policies requiring 30 percent of our state’s power to come from renewable sources, according to polling data released today by a bipartisan research group.
“An overwhelming majority of Wisconsin’s voters recognize the need to replace our dependence on dirty, imported fossil fuels with new investments in clean, renewable energy,” said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization celebrating 40 years of service. “With no fossil fuel reserves of our own, transitioning toward renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, crops, and agricultural waste will help Wisconsin become more energy independent and economically prosperous.”
According to the data released today, 76 percent of Wisconsin voters support passing policies “ensuring that 30 percent of the state’s electricity comes from renewable sources.” Known as a renewable electricity standard, current policy ensures that only 10 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2015. The Clean Energy Jobs Act would set new goals by ensuring that 25 percent of our electricity comes from renewable resources by 2025.
“This data highlights the need to pass a strong renewable electricity standard in the Clean Energy Jobs Act,” said Reopelle. “Spending $16 billion dollars every year on out-of-state fossil fuels drains Wisconsin’s economy. By investing in renewable energy, we can create jobs and keep much of that money right here at home.”
by jboullion | Mar 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Richard Mial in the La Crosse Tribune:
One hundred high-speed rail advocates, several riding Amtrak from Minnesota, gathered Thursday in La Crosse to promote having the proposed Chicago-to-Twin Cities passenger train follow the river route used by Amtrak.
Billed as a rail “summit,” the event at Train Station BBQ featured Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel as keynote speakers.
“I really feel that this route will come out on top,” said Winona, Minn., Mayor Jerry Miller, who heads the Minnesota High-Speed Rail Commission of officials from communities on Amtrak’s Empire Builder line.
“That route is the only shovel-ready route,” Miller told the group.
But the two state officials were noncommittal about which of three options might be chosen:
•Amtrak’s Empire Builder route through Tomah, La Crosse, Winona and Red Wing into St. Paul.
•Through Rochester to the Twin Cities. Rochester has never had a passenger rail connection to the Twin Cities.
•From Madison north to Eau Claire.
The two state transportation departments will recommend a choice to the Federal Rail Administration in late 2010 or early 2011, said Tom Faella, director of the La Crosse Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Wisconsin has received $8 million in federal stimulus to upgrade the Hiawatha route between Milwaukee and Chicago, and to begin planning an extension to the Twin Cities from Madison, which will have passenger rail service from Milwaukee.
