by jboullion | Apr 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram:
Clean Wisconsin is part of a coalition of dozens of groups – including environmentalists, labor unions, utilities such as Xcel Energy, and business representatives such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce – that supports a soon-to-be-introduced bill that would require the state Public Service Commission to create statewide standards for wind projects. Under current law, local governments can block these projects for health or safety reasons – but those reasons aren’t well-defined, which has led to blanket restrictions such as the one in Trempealeau County.
Critics likely will charge that the bill is an attack on local control. However, it still lets local governments make wind-siting decisions, and allows those who disagree with them to appeal to the PSC and the courts.
It’s understandable that potential neighbors of any large project – including a wind farm – would be concerned about how it might impact their lives. However, the hum of a windmill or the flickering shadows it may create seem greatly preferable to the sulphurous fumes of a coal-fired plant or the potential deadly contamination of a nuclear reactor. Unless we redouble our efforts to pursue clean energy, those may be our only other options to keep the lights on.
by jboullion | Apr 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From RENEW Wisconsin’s Michael Vickerman:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory today released its annual assessment of leading utility renewable energy subscription programs across the nation. Several programs offered by Wisconsin utilities finished in the Top 10 in four categories of performance. Deserving of kudos are We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric and two municipal utilities–River Falls and Lake Mills–served by WPPI Energy. Congratulations on a fine performance last year!
Individual program rankings are as follows:
* We Energies’ Energy for Tomorrow program came in 8th in total renewable energy sales and 10th in total number of customer participants.
* Madison Gas & Electric’s Green Power Tomorrow program posted the 4th highest customer participation rate and ranked 6th in terms of program sales as a percentage of overall retail electricity sales.
* The River Falls municipal utility posted the 9th highest customer participation rate and ranked 3rd in terms of program sales as a percentage of overall retail electricity sales.
* The Lake Mills municipal utility posted the 10th highest customer participation rate.
Though NREL does not keep track of solar capacity that were supported by renewable energy subscribers, it’s worth mentioning that from 2006 to 2008 We Energies leveraged the installation of 1 MW of customer-owned solar capacity through its Energy for Tomorrow program. Alliant and MGE also offers a 25 cent/kWh solar rate that is also supported by program subscribers.
For more information about NREL’s 2008 assessment, go to:
http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2009/679.html
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in The Capital Times:
A high speed rail project that includes Madison is in President Obama’s strategic plan of a “top 10” list of rail projects that have been identified to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system in America.
The president released his strategic plan for high speed rail Thursday morning — a plan that would spend $8 billion in stimulus funds and another $1 billion a year for five years as a down payment to revitalizing the country’s passenger rail system.
The 10 corridors identified in the plan include the Chicago Hub Network, which would link Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis/St. Paul, and also would have high-speed lines serving St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a fact sheet pubilshed by Focus on Energy:
Pole-mounted solar electric systems offer an excellent opportunity for businesses to display a commitment to renewable energy. Also called solar flags, these systems are economical because they tend to be small. Today, solar flags are seen outside business establishments, in parking lots and in city parks. Not only do solar flags generate electricity, they also promote clean energy technology in a highly visible way.
When most people think of solar panels, they think of roof-mounted systems. However, roof-mounted systems are often hidden from view, partially shaded by trees, or not facing the best direction to capture solar energy. Solar flags can be installed in highly visible locations and positioned optimally to capture sunlight. Installing a solar flag does not involve attaching anything to your building, and the occasional maintenance requirements will not include a trip to the roof. Also, unlike roofmounted systems, pole-mounted solar flags do not need to be removed and reinstalled when the roof is replaced.
Solar electric flags can offer great economics and a relatively low cost. They are available in different sizes and prices (see Table 1). Costs tend to be significantly lower for business owners who pay federal taxes. If your electric utility offers a solar buyback rate, your solar flag can pay for itself in less than ten years. What’s more, some utilities offer additional incentives to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joe Knight in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
A national expert on sustainability who has met with Eau Claire city officials, UW-Eau Claire staff and Luther Midelfort staff says Eau Claire is taking the first steps toward being more efficient and environmentally friendly.
“I think there’s a real interest and excitement in Eau Claire … the hospital has been doing some great things, and the city and university,” Gips said.
Gips, president of Minnesota-based Sustainability Associates, will speak Monday at UW-Eau Claire to kick off a series of events the university and community groups are planning to commemorate Earth Day (April 22), which they have expanded to Earth Month.
“I’m going to share about this very exciting movement going on around the country, actually around the world, but especially in Wisconsin,” he said.
Wisconsin has more cities designated as “eco-municipalities”, which have agreed to use sustainable principals, he said. Washburn and Ashland were the first two. Madison, La Crosse, Menomonie, Dunn County and the city of Eau Claire are among more than 20 communities in the state that are either “eco-municipalities” already or are taking steps in that direction.
Gips advocates what he calls the “natural-step framework” for making companies, cities – even churches – more efficient and sustainable. The framework was developed in Sweden. IKEA was the first business to use it, but now many U.S. companies have adopted it, he said. The U.S. Army and Navy are also using the “natural-step framework.”
Over the past year, various Eau Claire city departments have been assessing sustainability, said city manager Mike Huggins.
“Specifically, they’re looking at energy, reducing waste streams and looking at the concept of sustainability through the ‘natural step’ process,” Huggins said.
