by jboullion | Jun 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
A commitment to wind energy development will serve as an economic catalyst for Wisconsin, creating jobs in manufacturing, construction, transportation, and operation & maintenance of wind turbines. SB 185/AB 256 make our state more manufacturing and other supply chain businesses that create jobs. By establishing statewide standards for siting small and medium sized wind farms legislators can provide an economic boost to Wisconsin’s economy.
• 1,000 MW of new wind development in Wisconsin would create over 3,000 new jobs and provide $1.1 billion in economic benefit.1 Currently, over 600 MW of planned wind development is stalled due to the lack of statewide permitting standards.
• Wisconsin ranks fourth among states in terms of potential for job gain, and fifth nationally for potential investment.2
• In 2007-08 Operating Engineers erected 88 turbines for WE Energies’ Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center. More than 400,000 labor hours were devoted to completing the project.
“We support SB 185/AB 256. Without this legislation we fear that good Wisconsin jobs will be lost to Iowa and Minnesota. A lot of our members, who are residents of Wisconsin, have traveled to those states in order to sustain a livable salary so that they can feed their families. Unless we have some uniform standards in the state we will not see the full potential for wind here in Wisconsin. Wind farm construction is good for our members. Wisconsin’s economy needs this generation and Local #139 needs these family supporting jobs here in Wisconsin.” (Joint public hearing May 12, 2009) -Terrance McGowan, Operating Engineers #139
“We think it’s important to encourage the development [of wind power] here in Wisconsin. There are good Wisconsin jobs at stake here. There are good Wisconsin companies that work in the design of these small wind farms, design the components that are used. There are good Wisconsin businesses that work in the maintenance of these wind farms. It is good work for Wisconsin workers.” (Joint public hearing May 12, 2009) -R.J. Pirlot, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
References
1 U.S. Department of Energy. “Economic Benefits, Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reductions, and Water Conservation
Benefits from 1,000 MW of New Wind Power in Wisconsin” October 2008
2 Renewable Energy Policy Project. “Component Manufacturing: Wisconsin’s Future in the Renewable Energy
Industry.” January 2006.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (June 1, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, recognizes that most of the more than 78,000 farms in Wisconsin are being hit hard by the current economic downturn. Focus has resources and incentives in place to help farmers and rural businesses meet these challenges.
“We know farms and rural businesses can use large amounts of energy in their daily practices. Focus on Energy can help reduce their energy consumption,” said Rich Hackner, sector manager for the Agriculture and Rural Business Program. “Focus recognizes the importance that energy savings can have on the overall bottom line and sustainability of many rural businesses.”
Focus is no stranger to assisting Wisconsin’s farmers and rural businesses. In 2008 alone, Focus on Energy helped implement 806 energy-saving projects at 687 farms and rural businesses statewide.
Focus will continue to help Wisconsin farms and rural businesses reduce operating costs by providing grants and incentives for the installation of energy efficient equipment. Changes large and small – from updating barn lighting and fans to milking and pasteurizing equipment with energy efficient alternatives – can have a significant financial impact.
How Focus on Energy Can Help
Focus on Energy can help by assisting farms and agribusinesses to look at how they use energy. By installing energy efficient equipment and changing processes agribusinesses can see results in increased profits and improved productivity. By providing expert advice, technical training and financial incentives, Focus helps farmers and rural businesses take the steps necessary to achieve these results.
Focus offers no-cost energy assessments with trained energy advisors to provide information on potential energy savings and incentives at farms that will help offset the costs. By assessing each farm, energy advisors can identify areas where the implementation of energy efficient systems and equipment will have the greatest impact on the efficiency of the overall operation.
Incentives Large and Small Available
Incentives and grants are available to help farmers and rural businesses implement many energy efficient technologies.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The first wind turbine development on the Great Lakes could be built within three years or so, experts on offshore wind power said during a conference Wednesday in Milwaukee.
The first project is expected to consist of three to five turbines just off the shore of Cleveland in Lake Erie.
The project is being pushed by the Cuyahoga County government as an economic development strategy to help boost the development of a wind-power manufacturing industry in a state that’s been hit hard by cutbacks in the auto industry, said Steve Dever of the Ohio Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force.
During the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative meeting at We Energies, experts on offshore wind in Wisconsin said they expect development to start slowly over the next few years. But the industry could grow rapidly from there, the experts said.
“In 2010-2013 you’ll see pilot projects get started. Then I think we’ll see incredible growth – really, really rapid growth,” said Tom Stanton of the Michigan Public Service Commission. . . .
Experts believe wind speeds are much faster over large bodies of water than over land, with parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior having stronger winds than Iowa and Minnesota, two of the leading states in generation of wind power.
Wisconsin is looking into Great Lakes wind power as one option for the state to generate more renewable energy that would help reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, said Deborah Erwin of the state Public Service Commission.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a guest column by Dr. John Clark, president of Mid-State Technical College, in The Sheboygan Press:
Last month, more than 400 students graduated from Mid-State Technical College at ceremonies in Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Stevens Point. Although locally and nationally, we are struggling in many areas of our economy, I am confident that graduates have made one of the best investments available in today’s world by investing in their education. The value of their degree will provide lifelong returns in multiple ways.
There is a growing recognition that Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges provide the critical foundation for the kind of broad-based work force development system that is needed to meet industry demand for skilled talent. I can attest that the quality of MSTC graduates is consistent and impressive. The primary reason individuals attend one of Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges is career preparation. They know the experience will provide them an excellent opportunity for a great job or an enhanced career.
Enrollment in associate degree programs, technical diplomas, certificate offerings and custom training typically mirrors the economy. As unemployment increases, more individuals turn to us for education and training. Technical college enrollment growth has been particularly notable in areas of Wisconsin hard hit by layoffs, such as at Blackhawk Technical College, serving the Janesville area, and here at MSTC. Both colleges have experienced double-digit increases in enrollment during the past year.
At the same time, we’ve been working closely with area employers to make sure that our programs are relevant. For example, some of the federal stimulus money anticipated to be received by technical colleges will be used to develop curriculum focusing on energy and utilities, conservation and construction. Creating a work force with these skills will help pave the way for the growth of green businesses. Here in Wisconsin Rapids, we’re pleased to be an educational partner with Energy Composites Corp. as it plans for a wind turbine factory.
Throughout Wisconsin, technical college leaders are looking closely at the field of green and renewable energy. Utility work in general has been a strong area of demand. People are being hired in electrical power distribution where there is a need for increased transmission capacity and system upgrades.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
+ Addison Wind Energy, LLC
+ AgWind Energy Partners
+ American Transmission Company
+ American Wind Energy Association
+ Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc.
+ Boldt Construction
+ Broadwind Energy
+ Citizens Utility Board
+ Clean Wisconsin
+ Construction Business Group
+ Customers First Coalition
+ Dairyland Power Cooperative
+ EcoEnergy, LLC
+ Emerging Energies, LLC
+ Federal Marine Terminals, Inc.
+ Fednav
+ Great Lakes Utilities
+ Horizon Wind Energy
+ Iberdrola Renewables
+ IBEW 2150
+ IBEW 965
+ Invenergy, LLC
+ IUOE Local 310
+ Lake Michigan Wind and Sun
+ League of Women Voters – Wisconsin
+ Madison Gas & Electric
+ Michels Wind Energy
+ Midwest Renewable Energy Association
+ Midwest Wind Energy
+ Municipal Electric Utilities of WI
+ Natural Resources Consulting, Inc.
+ Operating Engineers Local #139
+ Orion Construction Group
+ Orion Energy Systems
+ Port of Milwaukee
+ Renewegy
+ RENEW Wisconsin
+ Ritger Law Office
+ Seventh Generation Energy Systems
+ Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter
+ Union of Concerned Scientists
+ United Steel Workers
+ Uriel Wind, LLC
+ Wausaukee Composites
+ Wisconsin Agribusiness Council
+ Wind Capital Group
+ Wind on the Wires
+ Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association
+ Wisconsin Environment
+ Wisconsin Farmers Union
+ Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
+ Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group (WIEG)
+ Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council
+ Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association
+ Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters
+ Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
+ WPPI Energy
+ Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters
+ Wisconsin Utilities Association
+ Xcel/Northern States Power-Wisconsin
Note: while the endorsing entities support statewide permitting standards for wind energy, this should not be construed as a blanket endorsement of future legislative or regulatory changes to permitting wind energy systems in Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
SB 185/AB 256 as drafted will signal the growing wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business, making our state more competitive in attracting investment capital. Please support SB 185/AB 256 to help secure Wisconsin’s economic future.
• 1,000 MW of new wind development in Wisconsin would create over 3,000 new jobs and provide $1.1 billion in economic benefit.1
• Wisconsin ranks fourth among states in terms of potential job gain, and fifth nationally for potential investment.2 The 396 MW of wind energy installed in Wisconsin in 2008-09 will contribute nearly $3 million a year to local economies.
• Municipalities and counties hosting wind facilities can receive $2,000 per megawatt of capacity per year under the state utility credit (subject to per capita limits) and an additional $2,000 per megawatt of capacity per year because wind facilities produce renewable energy (not subject to per capita limits).3 A 100 megawatt wind facility would contribute up to $400,000 per year in property tax relief.
• The New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin.
“This [American Wind Energy Association] report illustrates the economic growth opportunities that exist in the wind energy industry for the New North…this emerging industry is developing rapidly and we’re well-positioned as a region to take advantage of it.”4
“We’re excited about the growth potential this industry has, as well as the potential impact it has on job growth and expansion in our region.”5
-Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of New North
References
1 U.S. Department of Energy. “Economic Benefits, Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reductions, and Water Conservation Benefits from 1,000 MW of New Wind Power in Wisconsin” October 2008
2 Renewable Energy Policy Project. “Component Manufacturing: Wisconsin’s Future in the Renewable Energy Industry.” January 2006.
3 WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE FISCAL BUREAU, SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM (COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL AID AND UTILITY AID) (2007), available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/Informationalpapers/18.pdf.
4 http://www.thenewnorth.com/resources/995.pdf
5 http://www.thenewnorth.com/resources/993.pdf
