by jboullion | Sep 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Colleen Kottke in The Northwestern (Oshkosh):
In the years since the Forward Wind Energy Center came on line, “For Sale” signs have popped up all over Gerry Meyer’s rural neighborhood in the town of Byron. . . .
Meyer is convinced that the aesthetically displeasing look of the 400-foot turbines and subsequent ill effects experienced by nearby residents from the noise, vibration and light-flicker has caused housing values to plummet.
A just-released study commissioned by wind-power opponents concurs, saying that property values have fallen at least 19 percent for properties located near the We Energies wind farm in Fond du Lac County and 12 percent for those located near Invenergy’s Forward Wind Energy Center in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties.
The study by Appraisal Group One was commissioned by a Calumet County affiliate of the state Coalition for Wisconsin Environmental Steward, a group fighting a We Energies wind farm project in Columbia County.
‘Quite a reach’
Brian Manthey, a spokesman for We Energies, said the report failed to make accurate comparisons in properties used to track declining values.
“They compared subdivision and lake view lots when the properties in our wind farm area were considered agricultural lots back in 2006. Ultimately, they figured in the sale of four lots, which is tough to draw any comparisons when using such a small scale,” said Manthey, who described the report’s findings as “quite a reach.”
Since construction of the 88-turbine project in the Blue Sky Green Field project in the towns of Calumet and Marshfield, Manthey said 12 homes have been sold; some homes sold above assessed value while others sold below fair market values. Manthey said the report is misleading in that it doesn’t take into consideration other factors impacting property values.
by jboullion | Sep 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by in the D.J. Slater:
It has been in John Kregenow’s nature for years to do his part to help the environment, and it goes beyond putting plastic in the recycling bin.
Kregenow, 57, of the town of Cassel, west and south of Marathon, reuses his old clothing as wash rags, maintains a compost pile, collects rainwater to use on his garden and grows vegetables for himself and food pantries.
So when he saw his roof was covered with cracking asphalt shingles nearly two years ago, he decided to invest in a solar roof.
Kregenow turned to Kulp’s of Stratford, a roofing company, to install the solar roof, which actively started absorbing energy on Aug. 19.
Since that time, Kregenow has been able to generate $150 in energy. Kregenow typically spends $120 on his monthly energy bill.
“(My wife and I) are eager to see our September bill,” he said.
Since mid-May, Kulp’s has offered residents and businesses the chance to upgrade their properties with solar roofing, said Bob Kulp, co-owner of Kulp’s. The systems allow property owners to generate electrical power from the sun, which can be used and sold to utility companies.
So far, Kulp’s has installed the solar roof at Kregenow’s home, has an order to install one on a home in Marshfield and has three other homeowners who are committed to buying the technology.
by jboullion | Sep 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
2011
08.22.11 RENEW asks PSC to stop We Energies’ termination of renewable program
01.28.11 Comments of RENEW on the draft Strategic Energy Assessment
2010
09.08.10 RENEW opposes MGE’s proposed green-pricing increase and ask for small-win tariff
08.20.10 RENEW opposes WPS’ proposed green-pricing increase and asks for small-wind tariff
2009
10.22.09 RENEW’s comments in opposition to recommendation to raise MGE’s green power rate
10.06.09 RENEW supports Glacier Hills wind energy center; testimony of Michael Vickerman
10.06.09 RENEW supports Glacier Hills wind energy center; testimony of Mick Sagrillo
09.11.09 RENEW reaffirms support for coal plant conversion to wood
07.20.09 RENEW testimony supports Excel conversion of plant to wood
06.15.09 Comments of Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin on the briefing memorandum on advanced renewable tariff development
02.17.09 Comments of RENEW Wisconsin and Clean Wisconsin in support of higher buy-back rates
2008
09.08.08 WPS’ rate case, asking for a docket to set uniform buy-back rates across utilities
08.11.08 Alliant Energy’s Cassville Plant: Plenty of Wind, Not Much Biomass
08.08.08 Alliant Energy’s rate case; testimony asking for higher buy-back rates
by jboullion | Sep 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Colleen Kottke in The Northwestern (Oshkosh):
In the years since the Forward Wind Energy Center came on line, “For Sale” signs have popped up all over Gerry Meyer’s rural neighborhood in the town of Byron. . . .
Meyer is convinced that the aesthetically displeasing look of the 400-foot turbines and subsequent ill effects experienced by nearby residents from the noise, vibration and light-flicker has caused housing values to plummet.
A just-released study commissioned by wind-power opponents concurs, saying that property values have fallen at least 19 percent for properties located near the We Energies wind farm in Fond du Lac County and 12 percent for those located near Invenergy’s Forward Wind Energy Center in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties.
The study by Appraisal Group One was commissioned by a Calumet County affiliate of the state Coalition for Wisconsin Environmental Steward, a group fighting a We Energies wind farm project in Columbia County.
‘Quite a reach’
Brian Manthey, a spokesman for We Energies, said the report failed to make accurate comparisons in properties used to track declining values.
“They compared subdivision and lake view lots when the properties in our wind farm area were considered agricultural lots back in 2006. Ultimately, they figured in the sale of four lots, which is tough to draw any comparisons when using such a small scale,” said Manthey, who described the report’s findings as “quite a reach.”
Since construction of the 88-turbine project in the Blue Sky Green Field project in the towns of Calumet and Marshfield, Manthey said 12 homes have been sold; some homes sold above assessed value while others sold below fair market values. Manthey said the report is misleading in that it doesn’t take into consideration other factors impacting property values.
by jboullion | Sep 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
An announcement in the La Crosse Tribune:
Coulee Partners for Sustainability will sponsor a Natural Step study circle from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Mondays from Oct. 5 through Nov. 2 in the Community Room of People’s Food Co-op.
Participants will learn about the Natural Step framework and plans for its use in the city and county of La Crosse. Additional topics include an analysis of home electricity bills and how to use simple devices such as the “Kill-a-Watt” meter to track electricity consumption and reduce energy usage.
The five sessions are free and open to the public. Study materials will be provided. To sign up, e-mail Rob Tyser at rtyser@gmail.com by Oct. 2. For more information, go online to
www.cpslax.org.
by jboullion | Sep 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
When you hear the words solar energy, what comes to mind? Most people think of electricity. But the most mature and affordable solar technology is solar water heating.
People have been building and using solar water heaters since the 1800s. In fact, the very first mass-produced, commercially available water heaters were powered by the sun. The design and reliability of solar water heating equipment has improved over the years. A modern thermal collector can easily achieve 90 percent or more efficiency. And solar hot water systems can often operate for decades without needing repairs.
How it works
Because of our severe winters, solar water heaters designed for year-round use in Wisconsin must circulate an anti-freeze solution through the collectors. This heated fluid is pumped through a heat exchanger, where the solar heat is transferred to the domestic hot water. The heated water is typically stored in a tank that feeds into the existing hot water tank.
In sunny weather, the solar storage tank can often reach 150 degrees. Supplying the heater with water this hot keeps it from coming on. This saves a great deal of energy. But even if the storage tank reaches only 80 degrees to 90 degrees, the solar water heating system has raised the temperature of the water more than half way to the typical use temperature of 120 degrees and has saved more than half the energy.
For safety, the plumbing code requires an anti-scald valve to keep the domestic hot water from becoming dangerously hot. . . .
Focus on Energy provides reward checks to help Wisconsin residents with the cost of installing solar water heating equipment. Each reward is based on projected energy savings. A family of four installing a solar water heater typically receives a reward of $2,500. The federal government provides an unlimited 30 percent tax credit to help make renewable energy equipment more affordable.
