by jboullion | Feb 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Johnson Controls has begun generating electricity from the largest solar power system in the state – nearly 1,500 panels erected on the northeast corner of the company’s headquarters campus in Glendale.
The solar power system is part of the $73 million renovation and rehabilitation of the headquarters campus and power solutions businesses for the state’s largest company – and will be a showpiece for Johnson Controls as it tries to persuade customers to incorporate renewable energy into their buildings.
Power began generating this month after We Energies commissioned the solar system, said Don Albinger, vice president of renewable energy solutions at Johnson Controls.
The expansion of solar power is timely, coming as the stimulus package was signed into law. Energy experts are marveling at the array of tax benefits aimed at bringing more renewable energy online quickly, such as provisions that provide federal loan guarantees and accelerated depreciation for renewable projects.
“In these dismal times, we’ve got to look for some bright spots, and to me a great bright spot is the stuff that’s involved with renewable energy in that stimulus bill,” said Art Harrington, an energy lawyer with Godfrey & Kahn in Milwaukee.
Godfrey hosted three meetings across the state this week that drew about 500 businesspeople looking to learn more about economic opportunities created by the stimulus law, Harrington said.
“My advice to clients is to get knowledgeable on this stimulus bill,” he said. “Get knowledgeable quickly and then follow the money.”
by jboullion | Feb 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
An article from The Business Journal:
The Wisconsin State Fair Park has received state approval to install a solar panel system on the roof of the Wisconsin Products Pavilion.
State Fair Park will use the $306,000 demonstration project to promote renewable energy. The 30-kilowatt solar panel system is expected to be in place for the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair Aug. 6-16. The project received the approval of the State of Wisconsin Building Commission.
The electricity created by the solar panel system will be integrated into the Fair Park’s power grid to help reduce energy consumption. The new system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by more than 31 tons per year, according to the State Fair Park board.
The state Building Commission approved $128,400 of state funding from Conserve Wisconsin for the project at its meeting Wednesday. State Fair Park is applying for up to $100,000 in funds from the We Energies Nonprofit Renewable Energy Grant Program, in addition to applying for a $50,000 grant from Focus on Energy.
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 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA:
The 5th annual Small Wind Conference is scheduled for June 16-17, 2009 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI.
This is the only Small Wind Power Conference of its kind in the Nation. The Conference welcomes small wind installers, manufacturers, site assessors, dealers, distributors, state representatives and zoning officials and policy makers. Interested parties should contact Kirsten at 715-592-6595 or register online.
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton:
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton today announced that the Fennimore Community School District accepted the Lt. Governor’s Energy Star School Challenge, a commitment to reduce energy consumption by ten percent.
“School districts are true leaders when it comes to energy efficiency,” Lawton said. “Tight budgets demand it. I am proud that the leaders of the Fennimore Community School District have accepted the challenge to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars and of the environment.”
”Our energy management team is excited about the Lt. Governor’s energy challenge,” said Fennimore Community School District Superintendent Jamie Nutter. “Our school board has supported this challenge, which will serve as an additional incentive for implementing good energy management practices. In addition to setting a good example for our students, this initiative will lower our energy expenses.”
Lt. Governor Lawton issued her Energy Star School Challenge in April of 2008 as part of her Green Economy Agenda. Lawton said that her goal for the challenge is to commit at least 100 new school districts, nearly 25 percent of all Wisconsin school districts, to reduce their energy costs by at least 10 percent.
Participating organizations simply agree to:
+ Make a commitment to improve energy efficiency by 10 percent or more.
+ Measure and track the energy performance of the district facilities where possible. Tools are available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program at no cost.
+ Develop and implement a plan consistent with the EPA Energy Star Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings.
+ Educate staff and community members about energy efficiency. . . .
According to the EPA, U.S. schools currently spend $6 billion a year on energy costs, more than they spend on textbooks and computers combined. Inefficient technologies and design rob them of an average of 20% of that energy purchased.
“With high energy costs looming on the horizon and sure losses to districts with the inefficiencies inherent to their aging building stock, school leaders need access to an easy way to begin to change operations and habits,” Lawton said. “Different districts may follow distinct paths to increased efficiency, but they will all experience improved performance and health with better lighting and air quality. And they will all realize significant savings that became addictive and drive continued work toward greater efficiency.”
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Wisconsin businesses and governments should receive at least $276 million, and possibly much more, in energy-related funds from the economic stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday, according to the state agency in charge of the recovery.
Energy provisions in the stimulus package include funding for efforts to make buildings more efficient and to boost the use of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels.
Also included are tax credits for manufacturers of energy technologies and for consumers who improve the energy efficiency of their homes or buy plug-in hybrid cars. For instance, homeowners will get credits of up to $1,500 for energy upgrades, such as purchases of qualified furnaces and insulation.
Wisconsin is likely to receive $146 million to weatherize some of the most inefficient buildings in the state. An additional $130 million or so is expected under two kinds of grants for energy-efficiency and other projects, said David Jenkins, who is handling energy projects for the state Office of Recovery and Reinvestment.
“In addition to that money, there are 11 different energy- and energy-science-related competitive grant programs, some of which hold promise for Wisconsin,” he said. “Our companies and universities and technical colleges are going to do a good job of competing for that money.”
