by jboullion | Feb 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a new release posted on WQOW-TV, Eau Claire:
Eau Claire (News Release) – With the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Eau Claire today to receive public comment on its “Connections 2030” long-range transportation plan, the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is seeking changes to the plan that would include the region in WisDOT’s plans for a high speed rail network.
Members of the coalition applaud much of the philosophy of the draft Connections 2030 plan, which includes a major state policy goal to provide Wisconsin citizens with more transportation choice by improving passenger train service and other non-automobile travel options. In the draft plan, WisDOT says it “envisions a 21st century intercity passenger rail system that links the Midwest region’s major economic centers.”
Unfortunately, West Central Wisconsin is not included in that network, which would be built in three phases with routes serving Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-La Crosse-St. Paul and Milwaukee-Green Bay. The plan only promises to “consider” service to area once the entire network is completed more than a decade from now.
The Coalition points out that West Central Wisconsin – which encompasses the Chippewa Valley and St. Croix Valley areas from Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls through Menomonie and Hudson/River Falls – is one of the fastest growing population areas in the state, growth that could be stunted if the area is left out of the network.
by jboullion | Feb 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Craig Reberth in the Telegraph Herald (Dubuque):
CASSVILLE, Wis. — Pending a state Department of Natural Resources air-quality hearing next week and the ensuing public comment period, work should start on converting a Cassville power plant from coal to 100 percent renewable fuel.
In May, DTE Energy Services, of Ann Arbor, Mich., announced it was purchasing the E. J. Stoneman power plant. DTE said it planned to convert the coal-fired plant to burn wood waste, a renewable fuel.
The Stoneman facility was built in 1950. Integrys Energy Services bought the 53-megawatt capacity plant in 1996 from Dairyland Power Cooperative and operated it as a merchant power plant, selling power in the open market. This is DTE Energy’s initial foray into Wisconsin.
Once the air permit is issued, the project will move forward, DTE officials say. The plant probably will be pulled off-line by the end of this month, with demolition and construction to take place during the summer. The plant could be back online as early as June 2010.
Work includes converting the boilers from burning pulverized coal to a stoker technology and conversion of the material handling process. It is estimated the project will use 40 people at the peak of the effort.
by jboullion | Feb 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Web site of Energy Concepts, located in Hudson, Wisconsin:
One hurdle on this project was convincing the sub-division association that the solar panels would not take away from the development’s overall aesthetics and that it complied with existing covenants, which it did.
This is a custom-designed combination domestic hot water and in-floor space heating system.
The homeowners received $2,500 for the project from a Focus on Energy Hot Water Grant and another $3,500 from the Solar Space Heaitng Progam, a program of utility members of WPPI Energy.
Two 119-gallon tanks (below) hold the solar heated water until it circulates under the floors to heat the house.
by jboullion | Feb 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
Montfort Wind Farm
In Monfort, wind is just another cash crop
by jboullion | Feb 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by David Steinkraus in The Journal Times (Racine):
YORKVILLE — The County Board decided Tuesday to delay its vote on a regional transit authority until its next meeting on Feb. 24, but many citizens showed up in the board chambers to voice their opinions.
Although Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail has been the focus of most comments, the proposal sent to Gov. Jim Doyle is broader than that.
It suggests that the state create a permanent regional transit authority which could be joined by municipalities in southeastern Wisconsin. This permanent RTA would oversee not only a commuter rail project but also integration of the various bus systems, and it would have the authority to replace local property tax support of mass transit with a sales tax of up to 0.5 percent.
The board resolution does not express specific support for the tax but it does ask that any board with taxing authority be elected rather than appointed and that each municipality be allowed to approve or disapprove a transit tax.
by jboullion | Feb 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
Rick Adamski (left) began researching wind turbine options at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in 2005, where he talked with turbine installer Dave Blecker of Seventh Generation, the company that installed Adamski’s turbine.
From a story by Monica Landeros on WLUK-TV:
There is a farmer in Northeast Wisconsin who soon won’t have electricity bills, in fact the electric company may eventually be paying him. That’s because the Maple Grove farmer near Seymour in Shawano County has installed one of the first wind turbines in his area on his own property, with the help of federal and state grants.
Look across the snow cover fields of Full Circle Farms in Maple Grove and you’ll a 110-foot tall wind turbine with three massive blades.
“The wind turbine should last 20 to 30 years,” said Full Circle Farmer Owner Rick Adamski.
It took hours to install in early February. Adamski watched every step of the process from a safe distance with some neighbors.
“We’re trying to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Adamski. . . .
Adamski’s wind turbine still needs some finishing touches and is expected to be turned on the week of February 9th.
Soon after that, Adamski won’t pay for electricity anymore. It will save him about $7,000 a year. In fact, the turbine will produce more energy than is needed. So, the extra energy will be sold back to WE Energies.
