by jboullion | Jan 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
The larger of the two tanks digests the manure at the Five Star Dairy near Eau Claire. Photo by Ed Blume, RENEW Wisconsin
From an article in the Daily Pioneer (Platteville):
PLATTEVILLE – Tim Zauche, associate professor of chemistry and engineering physics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, wants manure from area dairy farms. But he just wants to borrow it.
Zauche and Christopher Baxter, UWP associate professor of agriculture, met with about 25 Grant and Lafayette county dairy farmers on Monday, Jan. 5, to discuss the feasibility of building an anaerobic digester in the region. The digester would collect methane gas from cow manure. The methane could be converted into a variety of useable energy sources.
“The university is interested in anaerobic digesters because we’re striving to become more sustainable,” Zauche said. “We’re looking to become more independent of our energy needs from other places.”
The project is just in the exploratory stage. Details of the project – including who would own the digester, where it would be located, what would be expected of participating farmers and a number of more technical details – need to be worked out, Zauche said.
Zauche said that the digester would need to process manure from at least 500 cows to be economically feasible. That could be reduced somewhat if the digester also processes production waste from several area cheese factories. Baxter said that the UWP Pioneer Farm plans to increase its herd to 300 cows, which includes dairy cows and a planned expansion of its beef herd.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters:
Join Us For CONSERVATION LOBBY DAY 2009!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 – RSVP here!
*RSVP Required—RSVP DEADLINE is February 13!
Since the first Conservation Lobby Day in 2005, it has grown from just over 100 citizens to over 500! Each year these citizens from across Wisconsin descend on the Capitol to share their conservation values with their Legislators. As we head into the 5th annual Conservation Lobby Day, there is one thing we can guarantee-when citizens come together to make their conservation values known, legislators listen, and conservation victories soon follow!
The reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and the passage of the Strong Great Lakes Compact are two great examples of how citizen lobbying resulted in ground-breaking conservation laws.
The participation of local groups and citizens like YOU is incredibly important to the success of Conservation Lobby Day. Every day throughout the state, countless citizens work tirelessly to protect the local land, water, and wildlife.
Conservation Lobby Day is a unique opportunity to share your conservation stories and experiences with legislators and have a huge impact on conservation policies affecting all of Wisconsin.
In 2009-2010, the conservation community will be fighting to:
Preserve Groundwater: Wisconsin’s Buried Treasure: manage Wisconsin’s groundwater resources to preserve drinking water supplies, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Stop Global Warming in Wisconsin: address the threats of global warming in Wisconsin through clean, renewable energy jobs and energy conservation.
Restore Conservation Integrity: return Wisconsin to an Independent DNR Secretary and a timely appointment of Natural Resource Board members.
Protect Wisconsin’s Drinking Water: protect Wisconsin’s drinking water supplies by making sure we safely spread agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste.
For a 1-page brief on each of these issues, click on their title above.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters:
Join Us For CONSERVATION LOBBY DAY 2009!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 – RSVP here!
*RSVP Required—RSVP DEADLINE is February 13!
Since the first Conservation Lobby Day in 2005, it has grown from just over 100 citizens to over 500! Each year these citizens from across Wisconsin descend on the Capitol to share their conservation values with their Legislators. As we head into the 5th annual Conservation Lobby Day, there is one thing we can guarantee-when citizens come together to make their conservation values known, legislators listen, and conservation victories soon follow!
The reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and the passage of the Strong Great Lakes Compact are two great examples of how citizen lobbying resulted in ground-breaking conservation laws.
The participation of local groups and citizens like YOU is incredibly important to the success of Conservation Lobby Day. Every day throughout the state, countless citizens work tirelessly to protect the local land, water, and wildlife.
Conservation Lobby Day is a unique opportunity to share your conservation stories and experiences with legislators and have a huge impact on conservation policies affecting all of Wisconsin.
In 2009-2010, the conservation community will be fighting to:
Preserve Groundwater: Wisconsin’s Buried Treasure: manage Wisconsin’s groundwater resources to preserve drinking water supplies, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Stop Global Warming in Wisconsin: address the threats of global warming in Wisconsin through clean, renewable energy jobs and energy conservation.
Restore Conservation Integrity: return Wisconsin to an Independent DNR Secretary and a timely appointment of Natural Resource Board members.
Protect Wisconsin’s Drinking Water: protect Wisconsin’s drinking water supplies by making sure we safely spread agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste.
For a 1-page brief on each of these issues, click on their title above.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – (January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility, located in Ellsworth, Wis., serves approximately 6,500 electric members throughout most of Pierce County and portions of Pepin, St. Croix and Buffalo counties.
“I welcome Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services’ decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Vernon Electric Cooperative officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility serves approximately 10,000 members throughout Vernon County and portions of La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Sauk, Richland and Crawford counties.
“I welcome Vernon Electric Cooperative into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Vernon Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
Vernon Electric Cooperative will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Jan 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement on the Web site of the The Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation(WisDOT) is seeking public comments on its draft long-range transportation plan, Connections 2030. A public meeting will be held in La Crosse, WI at the UW-La Crosse Cartwright Center, on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. La Crosse area residents are invited to attend to learn about the plan, ask questions, and submit comments.
WisDOT also welcomes comments and questions via phone at (608) 266-8108, or on the Connections 2030 Web site at: www.wiconnections2030.gov. Comments will be received until Feb. 27, 2009.
Connections 2030 is a statewide, multimodal transportation plan that provides a vision for highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit through the year 2030. Its policies and recommendations direct WisDOT’s activities in areas such as preserving transportation infrastructure and services, promoting transportation safety, and supporting economic growth.
The plan will guide transportation decisions over the next 20 years. It focuses on the transportation system’s ability to support the preservation of transportation services and infrastructure, safe travel on all modes, mobility for all citizens, security and efficiency in all areas of operation, and economic growth throughout Wisconsin.
The larger of the two tanks digests the manure at the Five Star Dairy near Eau Claire. Photo by Ed Blume, RENEW Wisconsin