by jboullion | Jul 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the brochure about the Kickapoo Country Fair:
Let’s go to the Kickapoo Country Fair, located at the world headquarters of Organic Valley in La Farge, Wisconsin. The theme for the 6th annual event is Celebrating a Sustainable Future, which fair organizers say will be “a celebration of the simple things that make for a life rich in beauty, culture and connections, whether to the land, our past or the surrounding community.”
When people think of a “fair” they usually envision carnival rides and midway games, cotton candy, deep-fried food and corn dogs. The Kickapoo Country Fair, however, is not your typical fair! Although it does have a festive atmosphere, the fair features a variety of workshops in sustainable living, a venue for “green” organizations and businesses, includes several food tents with natural, organic, local, and sustainable foods, plus farm tours, all-day music and entertainment, many child-friendly activities and much, much more. The whole family will experience a day filled with fun activities, stimulating workshops, panel discussions, and great food—all amidst the beautiful hills of the Kickapoo River Valley!
by jboullion | Jul 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Milwaukee businesses and residents would benefit from loan programs the city is proposing to develop over the next year to help reduce energy bills.
The City of Milwaukee submitted its proposals for spending $5.8 million in energy-efficiency block grants as part of the federal stimulus package.
The city was given an indication of how much money it will receive but needed to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Energy detailing how the funds would be spent, said Jodie Tabak, spokeswoman for Mayor Tom Barrett.
In an application submitted late last month, the city unveiled plans to boost energy efficiency of city-owned buildings and launch a revolving loan fund to help homeowners and businesses reduce energy use and save on utility bills. The city could also use some funds to add more hybrids to the city fleet, the city’s application says.
Nearly $1.5 million would be spent on the residential program, known as Milwaukee Energy Efficiency or ME2, to help homeowners afford the upfront costs of energy-saving upgrades.
Under the city’s plan, the revolving loan fund would help finance projects to replace old furnaces or make homes airtight through air sealing and insulation. Homeowners would then pay back the fund through regular installments.
by jboullion | Jul 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
Immediate release
July 9, 2009
More information
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Statement by Michael Vickerman, Executive Director, RENEW Wisconsin, on Public Service Commission approval of the Bent Tree Windpower Plant
The Public Service Commission today cleared the way for Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility to construct a 200 MW windpower plant project in southern Minnesota. Once operational, the Bent Tree project will be a productive source of renewable energy that will provide lasting benefits to Minnesota’s economy and environment. Since it will be Alliant’s Wisconsin customers who foot the bill, however, it is reasonable to inquire whether the current utility practice of outsourcing renewable energy production to other states is a good thing for Wisconsin’s economy.
It is true that windpower projects in Iowa and Minnesota are lower-cost sources of electricity than those in Wisconsin. However, when a Wisconsin utility locates a renewable energy project in another state, Wisconsin loses the economic boost from building and operating that project—construction and maintenance jobs, component manufacturing, tax receipts to local governments, landowner payments, etc.
In a weakening economy, we should question the wisdom of outsourcing renewable energy production to other states. A Bent Tree-sized facility in Wisconsin would generate $800,000 a year in local government revenues and about $700,000 a year in lease payments to landowners. It would also create hundreds of jobs for operating engineers, ironworkers, electricians, specialty haulers, and wind energy technicians. Is cheaper electricity from distant sources a reasonable trade-off for lost employment opportunities and revenues to state and local governments? RENEW does not believe so.
Legislative approval of state-wide uniform siting standards for wind energy projects would certainly help reduce the regulatory risks involved in utility development of projects in Wisconsin.
END
RENEW Wisconsin (www.renewwisconsin.org) is an independent, nonprofit 501
(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sect
by jboullion | Jul 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tim Ryan from the Shawano Leader:
City officials Wednesday approved a resolution showing support for Gov. Jim Doyle’s goal of moving toward renewable energy, but not before several Common Council members expressed some reservations.
The resolution states the city is “committed to advancing the state of Wisconsin’s vision for energy independence by replacing 25 percent of the city of Shawano’s buildings and operations electricity use and 25 percent of its transportation fuels from renewable energy by 2025.”
Aldermen Brian Retzlaff and John Hoeffs voted against the resolution.
“Our governor took $45,000 away from us (in shared revenue) and increased our (landfill) tipping fees,” Retzlaff said. “I have a hard time supporting this when our governor actually is being two-faced with us.”
City Administrator Jim Stadler said the resolution was intended only as a show of support for the governor’s energy goals, not necessarily the governor, and could help the city in applying for renewable energy grants.
“This resolution will gain for the city some points in grantsmanship,” Stadler said.
The city previously voted to hire a consultant, at a cost of $5,000, to help apply for a potential $225,000 in renewable energy grant money.
by jboullion | Jul 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (July 8, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has awarded grants totaling more than $2.6 million to help businesses statewide finance the installation of large renewable energy systems. Funds were awarded on a competitive basis to help eligible businesses become more energy independent.
“The grants awarded offer businesses financial assistance for projects that will make a significant impact on Wisconsin’s growing renewable energy market; in fact, these larger renewable energy systems offer businesses a way to lessen their dependence on fossil fuel based energy use, in turn reducing pollution” said Don Wichert, program director for Focus on Energy. “It is my hope more organizations will look to these businesses as shining examples of energy pioneers — and follow their example.”
Grant Recipients
Following are the grant recipients in their respective technologies:
Wind
Cashton Greens Wind Farm LLC of Cashton, Wis., was awarded $250,000 to install two wind turbines with a 5,000 kW capacity. The two-turbine wind farm is an innovative partnership between Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools (CROPP), Western Technical College (WTC) and Gundersen Lutheran Health System Inc. It will be the first “community wind” project in the state and its two turbines will be the largest in the state.
Biomass heat
Gundersen Lutheran Envision LLC in La Crosse, Wis., was awarded $376,057 to install a biomass fired steam plant to produce renewable thermal energy for Gundersen Lutheran Hospital’s main campus. The system is estimated to provide approximately 95 percent of the campus’ thermal needs. The boiler system will be fired with both wood waste and agricultural waste.
Other grant recipients
Orion Electric Systems in Manitowoc, Wis., was awarded $250,000 to install a 273 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system. Orion Energy Systems labels itself as a technology center, designed with the express intention of reaching out to the community and developing an education program to introduce various energy technologies and devices to the public. To this end, its solar electric system will serve as a demonstration and educational tool. In addition, the project will be the largest solar electric system in the state and the first in the state to use an innovative cylindrical solar thin film technology.
PPC Partners Inc. in Plymouth, Wis., was awarded $500,000 to complete a 1,137 kW anaerobic digester energy system. PPC Partners will own the system; however, it will be located at Goeser Dairy LLC, a 1,000 head dairy operation. Goeser Dairy will provide the majority of waste stream to serve as the digester’s feedstock and other wastes will also be used. The dairy will benefit from the enhanced waste and odor management system as well as reduced bedding fees.
The City of Sheboygan Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) was awarded $205,920 to install a biogas maximization system. The Sheboygan WWTP has been successfully operating a number of 300 kW microturbine systems for nearly four years. The new biogas maximization system will increase the gas production of the existing anaerobic digester from 30 percent to 60 percent. To capture the energy from the increased amount of biogas, the city will install two additional 200 kW microturbines, bringing the total generation capacity of the WWTP up to 700 kW.
Dairy Dreams LLC of Casco, Wis., a 3,000 head dairy operation, was awarded $434,477 for the installation of an 800 kW anaerobic digester energy system. The system will produce energy, while helping to manage waste and control odor.
Industrial Towel & Uniform (ITU) Inc. of New Berlin, Wis., an industrial laundry service company, was awarded $170,000 to install a 10,000 square foot solar hot water system. This system will reduce ITU’s natural gas use by 28,388 therms a year, a significant decrease in its annual natural gas consumption. The system will be the largest solar water heating system in the state when completed.
Clear Horizons LLC in Sun Prairie, Wis., was awarded $500,000 to complete a 1,137 kW anaerobic digester energy system. Clear Horizons will own the system; however, it will be located at Maunesha River Dairy, a 1,000 head dairy operation. The dairy’s waste stream will serve as the digester’s feed stock and will use additional organic wastes from other sources. The system will produce energy, help manage waste and control odor.
Gundersen Lutheran Envision LLC in La Crosse, Wis., was awarded $376,057 to install a biomass fired steam plant to produce renewable thermal energy for Gundersen Lutheran Hospital’s main campus. The system is estimated to provide approximately 95 percent of the campus’ thermal needs. The boiler system will be fired with both wood waste and agricultural waste.
Businesses Statewide Are Eligible
In addition to the grants awarded, Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for smaller renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. To learn more about Focus on Energy, available financial incentives, or to get an application, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
by jboullion | Jul 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Paulson in the Stevens Point Journal:
Treehaven, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s residential natural resources education facility near Tomahawk, is one of nine sites around the state partaking in feasibility studies for biomass heaters.
The study, being funded by Focus on Energy, is analyzing utility bills, the size of Treehaven, and estimated costs in both the short term and long term to determine whether it makes sense to install a system at the facility.
How much a new heating system could save in bills won’t be known until the study is finished. But according to a report by the Biomass Energy Resource Center — a national nonprofit organization being contracted by Focus on Energy — two schools of differing sizes in Wisconsin both saved more than $50,000 in fuel costs in the first year after switching from natural gas to a biomass system.
Treehaven currently uses natural gas heaters, and while they are efficient, the chance to at least go through the feasibility study was too good to pass up, said Treehaven assistant director John Heusinkveld, even if the expected savings wouldn’t reach the level found in the study.
“We’re hopeful it’s something we can at least put in to back up our regular heating system,” Heusinkveld said. “If we get a large enough system and find the pathways, it could be the sole heating source for the property.”
Focus on Energy is considering three types of systems for the project, depending on the results from each site, all of which would use wood as the main fuel. The fuel can be wood chips, wood pellets or split logs.
