by jboullion | Sep 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story on WEAU-TV:
Teachers, students, and local professionals gathered Friday to talk about ways to prepare for energy usage in the future.
The event called “Tomorrow’s Energy Technology” was held at CVTC in Eau Claire Friday.
Business people from agriculture, construction, transportation, and energy industries talked about the trends, challenges, and opportunities coming in the future of energy.
CVTC President Bruce Barker says “As our economy recovers we have to look at what the new growth industry is, and in West Central WI, renewable fuel can certainly be a growth industry.”
by jboullion | Sep 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
Two surveys released on September 28, 2009, produced widely different results on Wisconsinites’ opinions on climate change and renewable energy.
From a news release about the survey conducted by the Forest County Potawatomi:
[Crandon, Wisc.] In anticipation of state legislation to reduce greenhouse gasses which cause climate change, a recent statewide poll shows a majority of Wisconsin voters favor action by the State of Wisconsin to reduce carbon emissions.
When asked, “Do you favor or oppose the State of Wisconsin taking action to reduce (its) emissions of gases like carbon dioxide in Wisconsin that cause global warming?” nearly three-fourths of voters (70%) favor the State of Wisconsin taking action to reduce carbon emissions. Only 24% of voters oppose taking action.
Support for action to reduce emissions also crosses party lines, with majorities of Republicans (53%), independents (67%) and Democrats (87%) favoring action by the State of Wisconsin.
“Carbon pollution threatens to dramatically change our world for the worse,” said Forest County Potawatomi Attorney General Jeff Crawford. “We have a responsibility to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the environment.”
The poll also found that two-thirds of Wisconsin voters favor requiring utilities to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
From the press release on the survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce:
MADISON – With jobs dominating the public’s mind, a statewide poll of voters found over 60 percent say Wisconsin should not enact its own global warming policies, favoring national and international approaches, WMC reported Monday.
Also, voters oppose global warming proposals that hit them in the pocketbook with increased energy prices or potential job losses, the poll found. In 2007, Governor Jim Doyle convened a Global Warming Task Force that called for numerous new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The Legislature is likely to consider some of those proposals later this session.
by jboullion | Sep 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Sarah Lozanova in RenewableEnergyWorld.com:
Currently about 85,000 people are employed in the wind energy industry, up from 50,000 last year. These jobs are very diverse, and include turbine manufacturing, wind farm development, wind farm construction, and turbine maintenance.
Developing an industrial-scale wind farm requires a team of people with a variety of abilities. Here’s a look at some of the jobs involved as well as the skills necessary for this line of work. . . .
by jboullion | Sep 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement issued by Focus on Energy:
Join Focus on Energy at the Third Annual Northcentral Wisconsin Home Energy Workshop at the Prentice High School. The program will feature educational seminars on topics including renewable energy systems (solar water and space heating, geothermal heat, solar electric systems, and wood heat), energy saving ideas for existing homes, and design considerations for energy efficiency in new construction.
This year we’ll be featuring information on homes right in our area that have taken advantage of various renewable energy technologies along with very basic energy conservation practices to save money and help the environment. The programs will also feature information on financial incentives and tax credits for energy upgrades and exhibits from renewable energy businesses. The keynote speaker for this year’s workshop will be Brian Driscoll, Community Relations Director for the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence. Brian will discuss a variety of programs that the State of Wisconsin has initiated to help citizens, businesses, and municipalities achieve greater energy independence.
The workshop and seminar portion will run a half day so people can send the afternoon visiting local homes that have used the practices discussed during the morning workshops.
Refreshments and door prizes will be provided along with lots of resource information on various renewable energy alternatives and energy conservation. A brat fry sponsored by Price County Kids Against Hunger will be available immediately following the workshop.
There is a $10 fee for registration by September 25th ($15 for late registrations).
To register or for more information, please contact the Price County UW-Extension Office at 715-339-2555. To register on-line, click here.
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.
