by jboullion | Nov 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chad Dally in The Daily Press (Ashland):
Six municipalities, one transit system and more than seven million kilowatt hours of electricity consumed.
That is one of many initial discoveries of local government officials, the Alliance for Sustainability and others through a Wisconsin Energy Independent Communities pilot project.
The Chequamegon Bay region was one of 10 communities — and the largest of the 10 — that took part in the pilot project, which in the first phase attempted to pin down a baseline assessment on energy and fuel consumption for the past three years. The initiative is one of the first steps in Wisconsin’s 25 x 25 Plan, which set a goal of generating 25 percent of the state’s energy and transportation fuel from renewable sources by 2025. Also included is the goal of securing 10 percent of the nation’s emerging bio-industry jobs within Wisconsin. Generating more alternative and renewable energy and fuel within the state and especially within the Chequamegon Bay region has huge implications, since Wisconsin spent more than $21 billion on energy in 2007.
by jboullion | Nov 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement from Transition Wisconsin:
Transition Wisconsin is looking for individuals who would like to serve on the board or be a director for the Incorporation of “Transition Wisconsin” as a non-profit in the State of Wisconsin.
Transition Wisconsin is currently a part of the Transition Movement looking to formalize it’s involvement. It is currently involved, through its web presence, in providing people information on Peak Oil and Climate Change as well as opportunities for people to help make a positive transition to a world in which petroleum will become terminally in decline. Similarly, providing as much factual information concerning Climate Change is another priority. It is hoped that the infrastructure created would allow Wisconsin neighborhood, Town, Village or City communities as Transition initiatives with the benefits of tax exempt financial benefits working as an umbrella organization.
Anyone interested or have questions should email Rees Roberts.
Individuals have until December 31, 2009 to respond. It is hoped a diverse cross section of Wisconsin be represented.
This message will be repeated and shared widely.
by jboullion | Nov 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the La Crosse Tribune:
The final version of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation long-range plan still has alternate routes through Eau Claire and La Crosse for high-speed passenger rail service between Tomah and the Twin Cities.
The DOT soon will study which route might be best.
The agency said Wednesday it has formally adopted its new Connections 2030 long-range plan, available online at www.wiconnections2030.gov.
Local business and government leaders argued at an Aug. 26 public hearing on the plan in La Crosse that studies years ago already had determined Amtrak’s Empire Builder route is the most ideal in the region for planned high-speed passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Paul. That route goes through Tomah and La Crosse, as well as Winona and Red Wing in Minnesota.
Backers of that route announced last week they have formed the Empire Builder High Speed Rail Coalition.
Coalition members remain convinced that is the best route, said the group’s coordinator, James Hill, who also is executive director of the La Crosse Area Development Corp.
by jboullion | Nov 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the La Crosse Tribune:
The final version of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation long-range plan still has alternate routes through Eau Claire and La Crosse for high-speed passenger rail service between Tomah and the Twin Cities.
The DOT soon will study which route might be best.
The agency said Wednesday it has formally adopted its new Connections 2030 long-range plan, available online at www.wiconnections2030.gov.
Local business and government leaders argued at an Aug. 26 public hearing on the plan in La Crosse that studies years ago already had determined Amtrak’s Empire Builder route is the most ideal in the region for planned high-speed passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Paul. That route goes through Tomah and La Crosse, as well as Winona and Red Wing in Minnesota.
Backers of that route announced last week they have formed the Empire Builder High Speed Rail Coalition.
Coalition members remain convinced that is the best route, said the group’s coordinator, James Hill, who also is executive director of the La Crosse Area Development Corp.
by jboullion | Nov 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joel Costanza in the News of the North:
RHINELANDER – Hoping for bipartisan support and action by next April, a group of northern Wisconsin Republican lawmakers outlined plans on Monday (Nov. 16) to make or save jobs in the state, and promote the growth of biofuels as an alternative energy source.
Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), Rep. Don Friske (R-Merrill) and Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) were joined by business and education officials at an hour-long news conference Monday afternoon held at Ponsse North America headquarters in Rhinelander.
Aimed mainly to help agribusiness and the forest products industry – “the two largest engines of the state’s economy” in Friske’s words – Meyer and his colleagues said they would sponsor nine bills and a resolution over the coming months to provide tax breaks and other incentives to spur economic growth.
The lawmakers said the tax relief would be modeled after $1.3 million in dairy modernization tax credits passed earlier this year.
“We’re looking to do the same thing for loggers and sawmills, for example, to help them upgrade their equipment and expand their facilities to create new jobs,” Meyer said.
Mursau said, “The same great idea for agriculture will work for our aging sawmills around Wisconsin by providing tax incentives.”
Friske conceded that the job creation plan faces an uphill fight in the Democratically-controlled legislature, but said he’s optimistic that the effort will garner support from both sides of the aisle.
“We have a common enemy, which is the slumping economy,” Friske said.
In addition to tax exemptions for businesses, the proposals are aimed at streamlining government permitting, helping educators spread the word about bio-energy, and easing worker compensation costs, which officials said put Wisconsin at a competitive disadvantage in luring new industry compared to neighboring states such as Michigan, Minnesota and many others where the business climate is friendlier.
by jboullion | Nov 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
A report from WQOW-TV:
Eau Claire (WQOW) – Minnesota regulators have approved a measure to allow Xcel Energy to increase the amount of radioactive waste.
Excel Energy requested to expand its nuclear waste plant near the Western Wisconsin border at Red Wing. The utility will spend roughly $600 million to upgrade the plant to handle higher pressures and temperatures and increase its output. The plan also calls for storage of 98 casks on a concrete pad next to the plant. The plant is located on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River.
Red Wing’s mayor is disappointed with the decision. Now the measure goes to legislators for final approval.
