From Focus on Energy:
Join Focus on Energy at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair! The Northern Wisconsin State Fair offers a nostalgic atmosphere, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the park-like setting filled with clean, safe, hometown hospitality. Stop by the Focus on Energy booth in the Fine Arts Building and talk to the experts about energy efficiency in your home and business.
From an announcement from Focus on Energy:
Who is Eligible?
Nonprofit organizations and institutions, schools, and units of government are eligible for the Wind Electric Implementation Grant for Schools, Nonprofits and Units of Government if they purchase electricity from an electric provider participating with Focus on Energy. The renewable energy system must be installed on a site whose owner purchases electricity for that site. For a list of participating providers visit focusonenergy.com/utilities or call 888.476.9534.
What is an Implementation Grant?
Wind Electric Implementation Grants for Schools, Nonprofits and Units of Government provide financial support for the installation of commercially available wind electric systems that produce electricity and are rated over 20 kW and not more than 100 kW. For residential or business wind electric systems, please use the Cash-Back Rewards or Wind Electric Implementation Grant available at focusonenergy.com/reincentives.
Available Funding
On a competitive basis, a maximum grant of $150,000 will be available to provide financial support for the installation of wind electric systems over 20 kW to not more than 100 kW. This grant cannot exceed 35 percent of the system cost, the actual grant award is based on the estimated annual electrical production of the installed system (See System Guidelines for more information).
Important!
Before you sign an installation contract, order, purchase or begin to install any system components, your application must be approved by Focus on Energy and you must sign an Implementation Grant Agreement form. Payment of the Implementation Grant is made to you after the renewable energy system is installed and you submit a complete Notice of Installation.
From the City of Eau Claire’s Green Website:
How can I decrease my energy consumption?
1. Turn off lights. Did you know roughly 40% of our electricity use is from lighting our indoor spaces? By simply turning off lights when not present you can save serious greenbacks!
2. Use more daylight instead of artificial for indoor lighting. Research has shown daylight increases productivity and reduces absenteeism in the workplace. Natural light has a profound effect on the stimulation and regulation of the human body. For instance, the human eye turns daylight into electrical impulses, triggering the release of the chemical serotonin, which is essential for emotional well-being. Additionally, ultraviolet light from the sun creates Vitamin D through our skin producing calcium for healthier bones & teeth.
http://www.daylightsystems.com/daylightsystems/daylight/benefits.aspx
3. Unplug it! When not in use unplug chargers, non-essential power strips, etc. Turn off your computer and monitor before you go out. Decrease use of space heaters by having a sweater or cardigan handy when you get a little cold.
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From a news release issued by Madison Gas and Electric:
MADISON, Wis. – (Business Wire) Wisconsin’s first large-scale wind farm began producing clean, renewable electric power 10 years ago today in Kewaunee County. The 17-turbine, 11.22-megawatt facility built and owned by Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) is located near Rosiere. Since 1999, the facility has produced over 215,000 megawatt-hours of electricity, enough power to supply 3,000 homes annually.
The facility was built in direct response to MGE customers who wanted to purchase green energy for their homes and businesses. The wind farm’s generating capacity available for green energy sales was sold out in less than four months. Over the last 10 years, MGE has increased its wind energy portfolio by 12 times as strong customer support for renewable energy continues. MGE customers have one of the highest participation rates nationally in green energy programming offered by investor-owned utilities.
“We are grateful to the landowners and communities that support this project,” said Lynn Hobbie, MGE senior vice president. “We also thank the customers who have made our green pricing program so successful.”
“In 10 years, wind generation has completed the transition from boutique energy to a bulk power,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. “Early commitments to wind power from utilities like MGE helped make that happen and were instrumental to that industry’s subsequent growth and maturation.”
At the time, MGE’s Rosiere facility was the largest wind farm in the Eastern United States. Today the wind farm is one of nine commercial facilities in Wisconsin. Wind-generating capacity in Wisconsin totals nearly 450 megawatts.
From an article in the Dunn County News:
Last year, the Menomonie City Council approved the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This year, the Plan Commission is urging the council to adopt Governor Jim Doyle’s “25×25 Goals.”
Both are more than just pieces of paper, explained Wendy Sander of Cedar Corporation at the commission’s June meeting.
“The governor’s goal is to be generating 25 percent of our state’s electricity and transportation fuel from renewable sources by 2025,” she said, noting that by signing the agreement, the city would become eligible to receive grant funds to help pay for projects aimed at energy efficiency and sustainability.
“A specific one we’re looking at is the energy block grant,” Sander said. “We’re doing some work on the fire station right now that is extremely eligible for that program. It would score higher if the council had passed the 25×25 plan. … It’s similar to the climate protection agreement.”
Several months ago, the city council authorized upgrades to the aging mechanical and electrical systems in the downtown fire station, city engineer Charlie Jones told the commission.
“When we were in the process of doing the plan and getting ready for the bid, through diligent research, we found the grant,” he said. “That actually delayed the bidding process, because we believe we can get some grant dollars to help pay for the upgrades to make it more efficient.”