by jboullion | Apr 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joe Knight in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
Wisconsin has a goal of producing 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2015.
If the state wants to meet that goal, most of that renewable energy will have to come from the wind, says Ryan Schryver of the environmental group Clean Wisconsin.
However, environmental and industry groups say a patchwork of local wind ordinances, including one in Trempealeau County, has stymied wind energy development in many cases.
More than 600 megawatts of planned wind developments are stalled across Wisconsin because of new ordinances or changes in local rules, Schryver said. One megawatt is enough to power 800 to 1,000 homes.
Three relatively large wind farm developments have gone up in southeastern Wisconsin over the past two years.
Wisconsin spends about $22 billion a year importing energy, including what is used in transportation, according to the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, another strong argument for local wind energy, environmentalists note.
A bill to set statewide standards for siting wind generators is being considered by the Legislature. Among the standards to be considered would be how far a wind generator has to be set back from property lines, roads and houses and how much noise they could make.
The current version of the bill also would create a process for appealing wind energy decisions by local governments to the Public Service Commission. Under Wisconsin law, the commission regulates the largest wind farms, those of 100 or more megawatts, or farms with about 60 or more towers.
by jboullion | Apr 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
Come relax with friends and make some new ones as we get together and discuss environmental issues that are important to YOU at Eau Claire’s first ever Green Drinks! Green Drinks Eau Claire, 6:30-7:30 PM, Haymarket Grill, 101 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
Green Drinks is unique because there is no agenda, there are no dues, there’s no board of directors – it’s just a social opportunity for people to come together and talk with other like-minded environmentalists about ideas, events, and issues going on around our community.
Green Drinks Eau Claire, 6:30-7:30 PM, Haymarket Grill, 101 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
If you have any questions or ideas please email Tom Stolp, tom@conservationvoters.org or call 715-835-4248. For directions or more information on the Haymarket Grill visit http://www.haymarketgrill.com
by jboullion | Apr 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
Buying your home was probably one of the largest investments you’ve ever made. Now it’s up to you to care for that investment and enhance its performance by making home improvements that are smart for you, your family and the environment. The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program can show you how to do this.
How the Program WorksHome Performance with ENERGY STAR is an energy efficiency program sponsored by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative. The program has a network of partnering consultants throughout Wisconsin who have been trained to use the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment to test homes, identify problems and recommend solutions. The program’s qualified contractors and trade partners can then implement the recommended improvements, ensuring the work is done to Home Performance with ENERGY STAR standards.
Finding a Partnering Consultant or Qualified ContractorThe first step is to schedule an in-home evaluation with a consultant or qualified contractor who partners with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. Every consultant and qualified contractor listed on the Focus on Energy Web site has been trained by Focus on Energy and has agreed to uphold the standards set for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. Each consultant and qualified contractor operates independently, running their own business and setting their own fees. Focus on Energy recommends calling more than one consultant or qualified contractor to compare
prices.
by jboullion | Apr 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story on WKOW-TV:
To celebrate Earth Day and help meet the biomass demand created by the new Charter Street Power Plant, UW Extension and other agencies released a guide to Establishing and Managing Switchgrass.
Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin Extension Weed Specialist, and lead author of the guide said, “Growing switchgrass can improve farm profits by producing a good feed, produce biomass for heat and power, create habitat for people and wildlife, and reduce flooding. We wanted to summarize the best information available for Wisconsin landowners in an easy to use guide.”
The guide benefited from six field tests done last year near Platteville by Southwest Badger RC&D, UW Extension and Alliant Energy.
“Southwest Wisconsin has the potential to become a huge reservoir of biomass fuel such as switchgrass. This guide gives landowners the best information we have on how to establish and grow switchgrass, a key native prairie grass,” said Steve Bertjens, NRCS Southwest Badger RC&D Coordinator.
by jboullion | Apr 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE):
MADISON, Wis.— CREWE supports the current legislative proposal recommending uniform standards for the siting of large and small wind energy systems to be set by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The bill proposed by State Sen. Jeff Plale (D- South Milwaukee), chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee advocates that the Public Service Commission develop uniform siting standards for wind power projects across the state. The bill is circulating in the legislature but has not yet been introduced.
The current siting rules are just not fair says Curt Pawlisch, attorney for Wind for Wisconsin, a member of CREWE. Recent disputes over municipal ordinances have had a negative impact on developing energy alternatives and a greener economy.
Wind power is a growing and maturing industry that can play a significant role in Wisconsin. Perhaps the single greatest barrier to the development of this sector of energy policy is a lack of consistent and stable policy.
“Adopting a consistent and uniform siting policy will signal to land owners, wind developers, wind turbine manufacturers and in essence, to the rest of the nation, that Wisconsin is open for business in terms of wind development and growth.” Supporters of this legislation also contend that the single biggest constraint to increasing wind generation in Wisconsin is the current permitting environment which is far more problematic in Wisconsin than other states in the region. . . .
CREWE members include Wisconsin Energy Corp., Alliant Energy, Xcel Energy, EcoEnergy LLC MillerCoors, Johnson Controls, the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, Madison Gas & Electric, Orion Energy Systems, C5•6 Technologies, American Transmission Co., Wind for Wisconsin, WPPI Energy and Emerging Energies of Wisconsin.
