by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story posted on Channel3000:
A Wisconsin grant program to foster sales of locally grown food has generated more than $2 in sales for every $1 given in grants.
That’s according to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The department gave $225,000 worth of grants last year in its new Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program. Grant recipients reported nearly $584,000 in new sales in the program’s first six months.
The DATCP report said the grant recipients also reported sales to new customers who don’t usually buy from farms, such as hospitals and tourists.
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA:
The 5th annual Small Wind Conference is scheduled for June 16-17, 2009 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI.
This is the only Small Wind Power Conference of its kind in the Nation. The Conference welcomes small wind installers, manufacturers, site assessors, dealers, distributors, state representatives and zoning officials and policy makers. Interested parties should contact Kirsten at 715-592-6595 or register online.
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton:
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton today announced that the Fennimore Community School District accepted the Lt. Governor’s Energy Star School Challenge, a commitment to reduce energy consumption by ten percent.
“School districts are true leaders when it comes to energy efficiency,” Lawton said. “Tight budgets demand it. I am proud that the leaders of the Fennimore Community School District have accepted the challenge to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars and of the environment.”
”Our energy management team is excited about the Lt. Governor’s energy challenge,” said Fennimore Community School District Superintendent Jamie Nutter. “Our school board has supported this challenge, which will serve as an additional incentive for implementing good energy management practices. In addition to setting a good example for our students, this initiative will lower our energy expenses.”
Lt. Governor Lawton issued her Energy Star School Challenge in April of 2008 as part of her Green Economy Agenda. Lawton said that her goal for the challenge is to commit at least 100 new school districts, nearly 25 percent of all Wisconsin school districts, to reduce their energy costs by at least 10 percent.
Participating organizations simply agree to:
+ Make a commitment to improve energy efficiency by 10 percent or more.
+ Measure and track the energy performance of the district facilities where possible. Tools are available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program at no cost.
+ Develop and implement a plan consistent with the EPA Energy Star Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings.
+ Educate staff and community members about energy efficiency. . . .
According to the EPA, U.S. schools currently spend $6 billion a year on energy costs, more than they spend on textbooks and computers combined. Inefficient technologies and design rob them of an average of 20% of that energy purchased.
“With high energy costs looming on the horizon and sure losses to districts with the inefficiencies inherent to their aging building stock, school leaders need access to an easy way to begin to change operations and habits,” Lawton said. “Different districts may follow distinct paths to increased efficiency, but they will all experience improved performance and health with better lighting and air quality. And they will all realize significant savings that became addictive and drive continued work toward greater efficiency.”
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Wisconsin businesses and governments should receive at least $276 million, and possibly much more, in energy-related funds from the economic stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday, according to the state agency in charge of the recovery.
Energy provisions in the stimulus package include funding for efforts to make buildings more efficient and to boost the use of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels.
Also included are tax credits for manufacturers of energy technologies and for consumers who improve the energy efficiency of their homes or buy plug-in hybrid cars. For instance, homeowners will get credits of up to $1,500 for energy upgrades, such as purchases of qualified furnaces and insulation.
Wisconsin is likely to receive $146 million to weatherize some of the most inefficient buildings in the state. An additional $130 million or so is expected under two kinds of grants for energy-efficiency and other projects, said David Jenkins, who is handling energy projects for the state Office of Recovery and Reinvestment.
“In addition to that money, there are 11 different energy- and energy-science-related competitive grant programs, some of which hold promise for Wisconsin,” he said. “Our companies and universities and technical colleges are going to do a good job of competing for that money.”
by jboullion | Feb 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Richard Mial in the La Crosse Tribune:
The joint city-county sustainability plan could be challenged at Thursday’s meeting of the La Crosse County Board.
The plan calls for greater energy efficiency, the use of cleaner energy and practices that don’t harm the environment.
It also calls for community education, the availability of living-wage jobs, access to affordable housing and health care, and opportunities for recreation and the arts.
The plan includes such recommendations as increased mass transit, a shared-car program similar to one being offered in Madison and efforts to encourage more city employees to live in La Crosse and more city and county employees to live closer to where they work.
by jboullion | Feb 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chris Hubbuch in the La Crosse Tribune:
With his yellow rain slicker, reflective vest and helmet-mounted headlight, it’s hard to miss Kurt Oettel as he pedals to work.
“There’s no doubt I’m a bike commuter,” he said. “I look like a geek.”
Oettel, 44, rides about 21/2 miles each way from his home on 24th Street to Gundersen Lutheran, where he works as an oncologist.
He rarely misses a day.
“I took off those three days when there was a 35 below wind chill,” he admitted.
For Oettel, who with his wife has three kids, one car and 11 bicycles, biking to work started as a necessity but continues out of a passion for biking and for conserving energy.
A new law that took effect Jan. 1 provides a monetary benefit for commuters like him and an incentive for others to get on their bikes.
According to the law, commuters can collect $20 a month for bike-related expenses; employers can deduct the expense from their taxes.
The credit, which extends benefits already available to parking and public transit users, was included in last fall’s controversial $700 billion financial industry bailout.
Ironically, the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, voted against it. The Oregon Democrat, who wears a bicycle lapel pin and spent years pushing for the credit, opposed the rescue bill, calling it too expensive and ineffective.
Exactly how the law will be applied — how often do you have to ride to work to be a bicycle commuter? — isn’t clear. The IRS has not issued specific guidance on the rule, said spokesman Christopher Miller.
“A lot of things are not completely explained yet,” said Meghan Cahill, communications director for the League of American Bicyclists, which applauds the law.
Employees will have to produce receipts to document they spent money — on a bike, accessories or repairs — said Mary Jo Werner, a CPA with Wipfli LLP in La Crosse.
It’s not clear from the law whether it’s mandatory for employers to offer the benefit.
“I don’t know why an employer wouldn’t want to do it,” Werner said. “You’re giving an employee a benefit and it doesn’t cost anything. Plus it kind of breeds good will.”
Carl Johnson, owner of Smith Cycling and Fitness, hasn’t figured out how it will work but plans on offering the credit. He has about 10 employees who could qualify as bike commuters.
