by jboullion | Feb 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement on Econumicipality.com:
Toward Sustainable Communities:
An Introduction to The Natural Step (TNS)
Sunday, March 1
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Luck Public Library & Museum
21 Second Avenue West
Luck, WI
Refreshments provided. Please bring your reusable mug. All are welcome to this free presentation!
A presentation on The Natural Step (TNS) Framework, a methodology for planning that provides an elegant, rigorous, science-based understanding of sustainability together with a tested planning approach to translate that understanding into practice. Participants will learn about the principles of the TNS Framework and how it is being applied in communities across Wisconsin and around the world.
Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for a local study circle.
Speaker: Peter Henry, a veteran professional in the field of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies. After 20 years as a secondary teacher, Mr. Henry recently took a position with the Hudson-based engineering firm Energy Concepts, a regional leader in the design and installation of wind and solar energy applications.
A resident of Amery, Mr. Henry is the current chair of the Apple River Association, a citizen group working to protect Polk County’s largest river system. He is also vice-president of Friend of Amery-Dresser State Trail and has been active in both the Amery Natural Step program and the regional Western Wisconsin Initiative for Sustainable Communities.
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 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content on JSOnline.com:
About 175 people gathered this morning in the auditorium at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center to talk about ways to green their company’s environmental footprint and save some money at the same time.
Companies are looking to reduce their energy and water bill costs by taking steps to make their processes more efficient.
It’s all about applying the quality-improvement techniques that companies are by now long familiar with – lean manufacturing, Six Sigma – and adapting them to their use of resources such as energy and water, said Joseph Jacobsen, associate dean at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
What’s causing the shift to thinking green? Business owners can sense that carbon regulations are coming and want to get ready, while others are realizing that saving energy and water helps save — or stem the rise – in utility bills.
“Green is not just environmental sustainability. Green is business sustainability too,” said Jon Dommissee, director of new product development and marketing at Bradley Corp.
Bradley, a local maker of plumbing fixtures, and the state Focus on Energy were sponsors of this morning’s Green Manufacturing Summit, and the Journal Sentinel was media sponsor.
by jboullion | Feb 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
More companies are looking to reduce their energy and water utility bills by taking steps to make their processes more efficient.
It’s all about adapting the quality-improvement techniques that many companies are already using, said Joseph Jacobsen, associate dean at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
What’s making people turn to green? Businesses know that carbon regulations are coming and want to get ready, and they are realizing that saving energy and water helps save – or stem the rise – in utility bills.
“Green is not just environmental sustainability. Green is business sustainability too,” said Jon Dommissee, director of new product development and marketing at Bradley Corp.
Jacobsen and Dommissee spoke during a Green Manufacturing Summit held Thursday at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside. Bradley, a local maker of plumbing fixtures, and the state Focus on Energy sponsored the event, along with the Journal Sentinel.
Despite the slowing economy, companies continue to seek grants from Focus on Energy to help them pay for energy-saving projects, said Nate Altfeather of Focus.
Focus provides grants that help shorten the payback time on projects that boost energy efficiency. With companies holding the line on spending, the types of incentives sought from Focus may shift.
“We’re going to see a lot more interest in low and no-cost maintenance incentives,” Altfeather said. “People aren’t going to be able to cut checks for $100,000 for new equipment.”
Focus is developing new incentives designed to help companies with energy-saving upgrades that have a payback of one year or less. The Focus program, funded through charges on utility bills, will pay nearly 100% of an energy audit for those firms, Altfeather said.
by jboullion | Feb 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Coulee Partners for Sustainability:
Local presenters are available to make 20-45 minute talks to groups, clubs, and organizations in the La Crosse area on a variety of issues that pertain to living sustainably. Please note that these presentations are not reviewed or formally approved by CPS.
Presentations
Burning Coal and Mercury in Fish: What’s the Connection?
In addition to releasing enormous quantities of carbon dioxide, coal-fired power plants have other significant impacts as well. Presenter: Mark Sandheinrich, UW-La Crosse.
Climate Change: Global Problem, Local Solutions
What do recent scientific findings show about global climate change and what can we do to address this problem? Presenter: Rob Tyser, UW-La Crosse.
Complete Streets
Complete Streets provide safe and accessible infrastructure for all transit choices: cars and trucks, busses, bicycles and pedestrians. It is about improving the quality of life for all residents of a community, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, reducing land used for roads and especially for parking, and improving individual health. Presenter: Charley Weeth, Liveable Neighborhoods and Wisconsin Walks.
Green Initiatives in the La Crosse Area
Learn about “green” projects that have been completed and others that are being planned. Presentation arranged by the City of La Crosse.
How Much Stuff is Enough?
How does what we value the most in life actually correspond to our spending habits? Presenter: Mark Sandheinrich, UW-La Crosse.
The La Crosse River Marsh: Its Role in Flooding and Water Retention
In addition to providing critical wetland habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities, the La Crosse River marsh plays an important role in flooding. Presenter: Cynthia Berlin, UW-La Crosse.
The “Natural Step”: What Is It? Why Use It?
Find out about the Natural Step framework and why municipalities, including the City and County of La Crosse, are using it. Presenter: Rob Tyser, UW-La Crosse.
Urban Sprawl in the La Crosse Region
What do images from Landsat satellites show about land use patterns in the La Crosse area? Presenter: Cynthia Berlin, UW-La Crosse.
