by jboullion | Sep 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Sarah Lozanova in RenewableEnergyWorld.com:
Currently about 85,000 people are employed in the wind energy industry, up from 50,000 last year. These jobs are very diverse, and include turbine manufacturing, wind farm development, wind farm construction, and turbine maintenance.
Developing an industrial-scale wind farm requires a team of people with a variety of abilities. Here’s a look at some of the jobs involved as well as the skills necessary for this line of work. . . .
by jboullion | Sep 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Sarah Lozanova in RenewableEnergyWorld.com:
Currently about 85,000 people are employed in the wind energy industry, up from 50,000 last year. These jobs are very diverse, and include turbine manufacturing, wind farm development, wind farm construction, and turbine maintenance.
Developing an industrial-scale wind farm requires a team of people with a variety of abilities. Here’s a look at some of the jobs involved as well as the skills necessary for this line of work. . . .
by jboullion | Sep 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Larry Bivins in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:
WASHINGTON — The record-setting heat during the summer of 1988 could become the norm in Wisconsin if steps aren’t taken to curb emissions that cause global warming, according to a new report.
Hotter summers and increased flooding caused by heavier rainfall are among the extreme consequences the Union of Concerned Scientists found in a study of the impact of climate change on the Badger State.
Wisconsin also would experience long droughts, more smog-filled days, a possible increase in crop-destroying pests and up to a two-foot drop in the Great Lakes water levels.
The Wisconsin report is part of an ongoing effort by the advocacy group to examine how climate change would affect different regions.
“Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen higher average annual temperatures, more frequent downpours, longer growing seasons and fewer cold snaps,” said Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist at Texas Tech University and a co-author of the report.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is a Cambridge, Mass.-based nonprofit group of scientists and citizens that advocate for the environment. Its latest report is based on research and new data consistent with a study released in June by a consortium of 13 federal agencies.
The report assesses the impact of global warming on Wisconsin using two scenarios: one based on nothing being done to lower emissions, the other based on lower emissions resulting from an increased use of clean energy sources. The authors compared each scenario with a baseline period of 1961 to 1990.
“A comprehensive climate and energy approach — combining a cap on emissions with policies that encourage renewable electricity, energy efficiency and cleaner transportation choices — can reduce emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 56 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 while saving consumers and businesses money,” the report said.
by jboullion | Sep 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by K.J. Lang in the La Crosse Tribune:
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students are showing support for local family farms – with their stomachs.
Students at lunch Wednesday bit into Honey-crisp apples from La Crescent, Minn. They sipped creamy soup made with buttercup squash from Elk River, Minn., and topped their salad with grape tomatoes from Hillview Greenhouse Life Center, just a few blocks from campus.
Chartwells, the campus food service, served up the locally grown produce this week as part of a promotion, “It Takes You – Eat Local.” The program was developed to support farmers who grow produce within a 150-mile radius of the campus, said Tom Dockham, resident district manager for Chartwells.
The program allows students to sample produce that can be sun ripened for more nutritional value and better taste, said Randy Hanson, Chartwells executive chef.
UW-L senior Craig Wagner said he usually isn’t much of an apple cider drinker, but after tasting some from Lake City, Minn., his response was, “I wouldn’t turn it down if they offered it again.”
He was enthusiastic about the program behind the cider as well, saying, “I think it is important to support the local economy.”
by jboullion | Sep 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement issued by Focus on Energy:
Join Focus on Energy at the Third Annual Northcentral Wisconsin Home Energy Workshop at the Prentice High School. The program will feature educational seminars on topics including renewable energy systems (solar water and space heating, geothermal heat, solar electric systems, and wood heat), energy saving ideas for existing homes, and design considerations for energy efficiency in new construction.
This year we’ll be featuring information on homes right in our area that have taken advantage of various renewable energy technologies along with very basic energy conservation practices to save money and help the environment. The programs will also feature information on financial incentives and tax credits for energy upgrades and exhibits from renewable energy businesses. The keynote speaker for this year’s workshop will be Brian Driscoll, Community Relations Director for the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence. Brian will discuss a variety of programs that the State of Wisconsin has initiated to help citizens, businesses, and municipalities achieve greater energy independence.
The workshop and seminar portion will run a half day so people can send the afternoon visiting local homes that have used the practices discussed during the morning workshops.
Refreshments and door prizes will be provided along with lots of resource information on various renewable energy alternatives and energy conservation. A brat fry sponsored by Price County Kids Against Hunger will be available immediately following the workshop.
There is a $10 fee for registration by September 25th ($15 for late registrations).
To register or for more information, please contact the Price County UW-Extension Office at 715-339-2555. To register on-line, click here.
by jboullion | Sep 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joe Potente in the Kenosha News:
MILWAUKEE — A summit on regional transit sounded something like a pep rally for public transportation by the time it wrapped up Friday.
A panel of transit backers from Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee didn’t agree entirely on the viability of commuter rail in the region, but they were united on one major point: Now is the time to pass legislation to create a true regional transit authority with a dedicated sales tax.
And a national expert on transit and urban sustainability said that authority must be taken seriously in order for anything to get done.
Panelist Eric Isbister was blunt. Isbister said a lack of public transit near his Mequon-based business shuts his company off from many car-less members of an enormous workforce a few miles south in Milwaukee.
“We’ve got to stop romancing this issue,” said Isbister, chief executive officer of General MetalWorks Corp., a Mequon-based metal fabrication firm. “We’ve got to get results.”
Said Deborah Blanks, chief executive officer of the Milwaukee Social Development Commission: “It’s about access and opportunity. It’s a connector to prosperity.”
The summit, at the Italian Conference Center, was presented by the Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin, the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the city of Milwaukee.
