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 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
Go inside the core and climb to the very top of a Vestas V82 wind turbine in the Top of Iowa 3 Wind Farm.
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From Madison Gas and Electric’ renewable energy channel Green View.
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story posted on Channel3000:
A Wisconsin grant program to foster sales of locally grown food has generated more than $2 in sales for every $1 given in grants.
That’s according to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The department gave $225,000 worth of grants last year in its new Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program. Grant recipients reported nearly $584,000 in new sales in the program’s first six months.
The DATCP report said the grant recipients also reported sales to new customers who don’t usually buy from farms, such as hospitals and tourists.
by jboullion | Feb 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chris Hubbuch in the La Crosse Tribune:
With his yellow rain slicker, reflective vest and helmet-mounted headlight, it’s hard to miss Kurt Oettel as he pedals to work.
“There’s no doubt I’m a bike commuter,” he said. “I look like a geek.”
Oettel, 44, rides about 21/2 miles each way from his home on 24th Street to Gundersen Lutheran, where he works as an oncologist.
He rarely misses a day.
“I took off those three days when there was a 35 below wind chill,” he admitted.
For Oettel, who with his wife has three kids, one car and 11 bicycles, biking to work started as a necessity but continues out of a passion for biking and for conserving energy.
A new law that took effect Jan. 1 provides a monetary benefit for commuters like him and an incentive for others to get on their bikes.
According to the law, commuters can collect $20 a month for bike-related expenses; employers can deduct the expense from their taxes.
The credit, which extends benefits already available to parking and public transit users, was included in last fall’s controversial $700 billion financial industry bailout.
Ironically, the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, voted against it. The Oregon Democrat, who wears a bicycle lapel pin and spent years pushing for the credit, opposed the rescue bill, calling it too expensive and ineffective.
Exactly how the law will be applied — how often do you have to ride to work to be a bicycle commuter? — isn’t clear. The IRS has not issued specific guidance on the rule, said spokesman Christopher Miller.
“A lot of things are not completely explained yet,” said Meghan Cahill, communications director for the League of American Bicyclists, which applauds the law.
Employees will have to produce receipts to document they spent money — on a bike, accessories or repairs — said Mary Jo Werner, a CPA with Wipfli LLP in La Crosse.
It’s not clear from the law whether it’s mandatory for employers to offer the benefit.
“I don’t know why an employer wouldn’t want to do it,” Werner said. “You’re giving an employee a benefit and it doesn’t cost anything. Plus it kind of breeds good will.”
Carl Johnson, owner of Smith Cycling and Fitness, hasn’t figured out how it will work but plans on offering the credit. He has about 10 employees who could qualify as bike commuters.
by jboullion | Feb 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a new release posted on WQOW-TV, Eau Claire:
Eau Claire (News Release) – With the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Eau Claire today to receive public comment on its “Connections 2030” long-range transportation plan, the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is seeking changes to the plan that would include the region in WisDOT’s plans for a high speed rail network.
Members of the coalition applaud much of the philosophy of the draft Connections 2030 plan, which includes a major state policy goal to provide Wisconsin citizens with more transportation choice by improving passenger train service and other non-automobile travel options. In the draft plan, WisDOT says it “envisions a 21st century intercity passenger rail system that links the Midwest region’s major economic centers.”
Unfortunately, West Central Wisconsin is not included in that network, which would be built in three phases with routes serving Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-La Crosse-St. Paul and Milwaukee-Green Bay. The plan only promises to “consider” service to area once the entire network is completed more than a decade from now.
The Coalition points out that West Central Wisconsin – which encompasses the Chippewa Valley and St. Croix Valley areas from Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls through Menomonie and Hudson/River Falls – is one of the fastest growing population areas in the state, growth that could be stunted if the area is left out of the network.
