by jboullion | Oct 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Halter in the Wausau Daily Herald:
On warm summer days, landscaper Tom Girolamo showers in the yard of his Mosinee home using rainwater stored in a 2,500-gallon tank heated by solar power. The used shower water is then sent to his chickens or to water his plants.
Also in the yard of Girolamos’ home is a 120-foot wind turbine, a wood-fueled sauna and a wood-fired brick oven that he and his wife, Kathy, use for summer meals or to bake pizza for their guests.
The Girolamo’s home is one of several in Marathon County that will be open for tours this weekend when the Midwest Renewable Energy Association sponsors its annual Wisconsin Solar Tour. The tour showcases businesses and homes that are energy efficient, sustainable or powered with renewable energies.
Organizers expect a big turnout this year as more and more people look to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes and consider alternative energy. On top of normal grants given out by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is giving additional tax incentives — typically up to 30 percent — to people doing such projects.
Girolamo’s home has been on the tour for five years. The 50-year-old UW-Stevens Point graduate owns a landscaping company called Eco-Building & Forestry that designs environmentally friendly and sustainable landscapes.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
(October 1, 2009) – Wisconsinites continue to realize the financial and energy savings of installing ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their homes. And now, for a limited time, Focus on Energy is offering CFLs for a discounted price at participating retail locations throughout the state.
Focus, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy information, is launching the annual promotion October 1, 2009.
CFLs that have earned the ENERGY STAR last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and are 75 percent more efficient – saving as much as $30 over the course of their lifetime. In addition, the bulbs produce 75 percent less heat than their standard counterparts, making them safer to operate.
“Over the past several years, thousands of residents throughout Wisconsin have reduced their energy use and utility bills by installing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, but there are still many who have not made the switch,” said Rhonda Pittman, Lighting Program Manager. “In these tough economic times, there is no better time to install a product that will save money while also helping Wisconsin’s environment.”
While financial savings associated with using CFLs remain one of the primary reasons Wisconsin residents opt for them, CFLs also offer environmental benefits. Because qualified bulbs use so much less energy to operate, less pollution is being generated.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in Northland’s News Center:
Governor Jim Doyle is urging Wisconsin residents to take action now to keep their households warm during this winter.
Residents are urged to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected and to take advantage of the state’s energy-efficiency programs as well low-income bill payment assistance programs to ease the burden of household energy costs during the winter season.
“During a Wisconsin winter, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes,” Governor Doyle said. “There are many programs in place to ensure that hard working low-income households make it safely through the season and now is the time to take advantage of the services the state offers.”
Under Wisconsin law, consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15 so long as they are connected at the start of the moratorium. . . .
Residents may also qualify for assistance paying their heating bill through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter.
WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherizing low-income households. . . .
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Charles Menchaca in the Wausau Daily Herald:
System will generate about 8 percent of East High’s electricity
Wausau East High School on Wednesday received a 155-foot-tall addition to its campus, one that will help save money and help students be part of the green revolution, educators said.
Technicians erected the first of two wind turbines on the school grounds. Students, school staff members and curious residents watched the construction throughout the day.
The first structure, known as the Northwind 100, will generate 100 kilowatts of power and has a rotor diameter of 21 meters. It is the largest wind turbine in Marathon County and the first of its kind on Wisconsin public school property, Wausau East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke said.
To fund the project’s estimated $647,000 cost, Ebbecke pursued and received contributions from several public and private sources, including the Walter Alexander Foundation and the Wausau School District.The district could contribute up to $50,000 in public money for startup costs and will pay about $4,000 for maintenance on the two turbines every year.
A smaller turbine and a photovoltaic system also will be installed at East this year. The turbines are at the forefront of the district’s plans to teach students about renewable energy. Ebbecke continues to work with other teachers to develop wind-energy curriculum, and some of their lesson plans will be used this school year.
“I think it’s important to teach (students) to make responsible decisions and that there are other choices out there regarding their energy,” Ebbecke said.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Business Journal of Milwaukee:
The Wisconsin Technical College System board has unanimously approved a $6.9 million solar education farm, the largest in the state of Wisconsin, to be built on Milwaukee Area Technical College land in Milwaukee.
The farm, a collaborative project between MATC and Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI), was approved Wednesday at a meeting in Rhinelander.
The farm will be located on MATC-owned property at 810 E. Capitol Drive in Milwaukee. The farm will serve as a training center for technicians, designers, site assessors, electricians, sales personnel and other professionals in the fields of renewable energy.
The 32-acre property is located along the west bank of the Milwaukee River. Construction on the farm is pending receipt of a required permit issued by the city of Milwaukee. That process begins in two weeks.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
NEW BERLIN – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 185, creating more uniform standards for siting wind projects and strengthening Wisconsin’s wind industry.
“With our resources and strategic location, we have a tremendous opportunity to become a worldwide leader in wind energy,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill is a clear statement to the wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business and will create more jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.”
The legislation accomplishes an integral recommendation of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the construction and operation of wind energy systems. It allows proposed wind energy systems that are one megawatt or larger to appeal decisions by local authorities with the PSC.
Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. Governor Doyle created the Task Force on Global Warming to bring together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environment leaders to examine the effects and solutions to global warming in Wisconsin. Using current national and local research, the task
force analyzed possible solutions to global warming challenges that pose a threat to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental health. The task force is charged with creating a state plan of action to deliver to the Governor to reduce Wisconsin’s contribution to global warming.
Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts; and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and
available to all.
