Forward Wind, Fond du Lac County
Photo by Barger Photography (courtesy of Michels Corporation)
Alliant power plan draws fire, support
From an article by Craig D. Reber in the Telegraph Herald (Dubuque):
CASSVILLE, Wis. — Now the wait begins.
More than 400 people attended Monday’s Public Service Commission of Wisconsin-hosted public hearing at the Cassville Elementary School gymnasium on Alliant Energy’s application to build a new electric power plant.
Alliant wants to add a 300-megawatt generator – which would produce enough electricity to light 150,000 homes – at the Nelson Dewey Generating Station along the Mississippi River in western Grant County. The company said the plant also will be capable of burning biomass such as switchgrass, corn stalks and wood. Alliant’s alternate site is the Columbia Energy Center, just outside of Portage.
The commission has the authority to approve, deny or modify any proposed electric construction project.
On Monday, the plan attracted supporters and critics. Supporters cite economic development, jobs, and the need for more energy in the state. Opponents cited concerns ranging from health concerns to an increase in pollutants and global warming.
Pam Kleiss, of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Wisconsin, said coal-burning power plants release pollutants that cause a significant challenge to public health.
“The public health care costs are well-documented,” she said.One of the first speakers was Cassville Village President Louis Okey who was blunt.
“Cassville needs this plant,” he said. “It may not survive if it doesn’t get this plant. There are a lot of places where a plant like this isn’t wanted. There’s overwhelming support here.
Waukesha home opens for Solar Tour
A press release issued for the Wisconsin Solar Tour:
A Waukesha home will be one of more than 150 sites in the state open for the 2008 Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 4.
The home of Julie and Vince Toman, 2105 Parkview Court, features 30 roof-mounted solar panels following the second story roofline in the rear of the house.
“It produces more electricity than we need for much of the year. We’ve only paid 6 electric / gas bills in the last 15 months,” according to Julie Toman.
“In fact, we get a credit for the amount of excess electricity it generates,” she added.
Businesses with solar installations will welcome visitors on October 3, the first day of the two-day Solar Tour, organized by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), located in Custer, Wisconsin.
Tour destinations will showcase advances in energy efficient construction, new products, sustainable landscaping, and renewable energy technologies.
“The tour demonstrates that renewable energy is practical, reliable, and affordable in today’s economy,” said Amy Heart, Program Director for the MREA.
“Tour participants have the chance to talk with people who live and work with renewable energy and green building features,” Heart added.
Full details on the Solar Tour and all the open businesses and residences are online at www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php.
Brockway home will produce as much energy as it uses
From a story by Matthew Perenchio in the Jackson County Chronicle:
BROCKWAY — When Tom and Verona Chambers were looking for a place to build their home, all they really wanted was a spot with a good view, a hill and some water nearby.
And for what they found that Mother Nature created naturally, they’re giving right back.
The Chamberses are in the midst of constructing what will not only be an energy-efficient home in Brockway but a net-zero energy home as well — meaning it has the potential to produce as much energy as it uses.
“It’s actually quite easy to do but not done much,” said Tom, who is the principal at Black River Falls High School.
“I’m not really one to freeze or sit by a little light, and I’m certainly not someone who hunkers down in a quilt on cold nights and doesn’t move,” said Verona, who teaches German and world culture at Tomah Middle School. “What I wanted is some dang, darn good living at an affordable price.”
That type of living, as the Chamberses will show, can be Earth-friendly.
The entire project started in 2007, and original plans were to include solar panels, and, in the state of Wisconsin, electrical companies buy any excess energy that is put back into the electrical grid.
In the case of the Chambers’ house, they were hoping their solar panels would produce as much electrical energy as they used — making the residence a net-zero home — and any extra electricity produced would go to help other energy uses on the grid.
Many solar-powered and energy-efficient businesses and homes around Wisconsin, including western Wisconsin, will be open to the public during the Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 3 and 4.
Webinars: Building Communities Educational Series
From the UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development:
Today’s society is complex and challenging. There are myriad social, environmental and economic opportunities and challenges facing communities and businesses of all types and sizes. How do we engage each other in ways that benefit more than just a few special interests? How do we proceed so that we can achieve important objectives, but not do so at the expense of other ones that we also value? Is there a way of balancing a healthy economy, a healthy ecosystem and a healthy community? If we find that balance, can we sustain it?
This year’s Building Communities Webinar Series tackles these important questions. We address global, regional and local issues and challenge ourselves as both a community and as individuals. Join us in discovering some of our constraints and uncovering the limitless potential we possess to overcome them. If you care deeply about the economy and the viability of our businesses … if you care deeply about the ecological health of our planet … if you care deeply about the quality of life of our community – this webinar series is for you. Join us to be enlightened, to be informed, to be challenged, and to be called to action!
Who Should Attend:
Extension educators along with local elected and appointed officials working with communities on economic development and quality of life issues, including local business leaders, economic development professionals, and environmentalists.Co-sponsors:
University of Wisconsin-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development and Sustainability and Energy Teams. . . .The registration fee is $40 per program/$275 for the series per site (You can invite as many people as you would like to participate at your site).
Programs will be held on the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. (Central Time) from October 2008 – June 2009.
This year, the series will focus on Sustainability:
October 21, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Setting the Stage: Sustainability and Sustainable Community DevelopmentNovember 18, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Energy EfficiencyDecember 16, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Renewable EnergyJanuary 20, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainability and Comprehensive PlanningFebruary 17, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainable Business Practices and StrategiesMarch 17, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Green Collar Jobs: Sustainable Work in a Low Carbon WorldApril 21, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Local Food Networks: Food Localization as a Sustainability StrategyMay 19, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainability Indicators and MeasurementJune 16, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Community Organizing for Sustainability
Northcentral Home Energy Conservation Workshop slated
From an article in the Wisconsin Ag Connection:
Homeowners, renters, and people who are contemplating building a new home can learn about ways to save energy in the home by attending the second annual Northcentral Home Energy Conservation Workshop on October 11 at the Rib Lake High School. The program will cover alternative home heating systems, solar energy applications, energy saving ideas for new and existing homes, home energy audits, renewable electricity and alternative home construction methods. The workshop will cover the costs and payback potential of the various types of systems and practices as well as tax credits and cash incentives for various energy saving applications. Speakers will discuss practical, feasible ways to save money and energy and provide information that can be used to choose energy-saving practices.
The program includes 15 breakout sessions and includes a lunch featuring locally grown foods from the Price and Taylor County areas. In the afternoon, participants can choose from two options: a tour of two nearby homes demonstrating a variety of energy-saving practices, or a workshop on designing and building window quilts. The Price and Taylor County UW-Extension Offices and Land Conservation Departments, the Upper Chippewa River Basin Program, and Pri-Ru-Ta Resource Conservation and Development Council are sponsoring the program in partnership with Price Electric Cooperative, Taylor Electric Cooperative, Clark Electric Cooperative, Xcel Energy, Medford Electric Utility, Wisconsin Focus on Energy, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, with major funding through a grant from the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board. . . .
For more information or a brochure, contact the Price County UW-Extension Office at 715-339-2555, or Taylor County UW-Extension at 715-748-3327.