by jboullion | Dec 23, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (Dec. 8, 2008) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today the inception of a new renewable energy program called Fuels for Schools & Communities. The new program is meant to help Wisconsin schools and communities save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs by switching from natural gas to heating their buildings with wood or other biomass.
“Schools and local governments today are feeling squeezed by energy prices. This new program will allow interested school districts and local governments, especially in the north and southwest portions of the state, the ability to adopt biomass technology as a cost effective and environmentally responsible solution to increasing energy costs,” said Don Wichert, director for Focus on Energy’s Renewable Energy Program.
The new program offers interested schools and communities pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies at no cost and up to $250,000 toward the implementation of a biomass system. The program complements Clean Energy Wisconsin, Governor Doyle’s strategy to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy future. This comprehensive plan moves Wisconsin forward by promoting renewable energy, creating new jobs, increasing energy security and efficiency and improving the environment.
A recent study funded by Focus on Energy and conducted by the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC), “Heating with Biomass: A Feasibility Study of Wisconsin Schools Heated with Wood,” found that as many as 25 percent of Wisconsin schools could save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs by switching from natural gas to heating their buildings with wood, or other biomass. Biomass, a renewable resource, typically consists of clean wood chips, wood pellets, switchgrass or other agricultural based pellets. This is a significant finding considering Wisconsin schools spend close to $200 million a year on energy costs.
The study concludes that the annual energy costs from wood biomass systems could be 29 percent to 57 percent less expensive than natural gas and save schools between $53,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on current fuel prices. The study included case studies from Barron, Hayward, Shell Lake and Rice Lake, Wis., high schools.
by jboullion | Dec 23, 2008 | Uncategorized
A story on WEAU-TV:
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State regulators say they are launching a statewide effort to explore how utilities could distribute more solar panels across Wisconsin to take advantage of that renewable energy source.
The Public Service Commission said its solar collaborative will study ways to dramatically accelerate the deployment of the panels by utilities.
The announcement came Thursday as the commission ordered that there be no increase in electric rates and a slight decrease in natural gas rates for customers of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Wisconsin Power and Light next year.
The PSC noted that declining fuel costs are a major factor in the move to hold the line on gas and electric rates for customers of the two companies.
by jboullion | Dec 23, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Transit supporters have taken a couple of hits recently, casting doubt on both the creation of a regional transit authority and system, and the development of a critical element of such a system, a commuter rail line linking Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. Nevertheless, the transit authority and the KRM line are still proposals that deserve widespread support if the region wants to build effective regional mass transit that would provide a number of benefits, including fostering economic development.
A regional transit system could improve bus service in Milwaukee County and other areas, as well as help create better intercounty connections to help workers get to jobs. The KRM can help provide a reliable speedy mass transit link along the eastern edge of the region from downtown Milwaukee to Kenosha.
by jboullion | Dec 23, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (Dec. 8, 2008) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today the inception of a new renewable energy program called Fuels for Schools & Communities. The new program is meant to help Wisconsin schools and communities save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs by switching from natural gas to heating their buildings with wood or other biomass.
“Schools and local governments today are feeling squeezed by energy prices. This new program will allow interested school districts and local governments, especially in the north and southwest portions of the state, the ability to adopt biomass technology as a cost effective and environmentally responsible solution to increasing energy costs,” said Don Wichert, director for Focus on Energy’s Renewable Energy Program.
The new program offers interested schools and communities pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies at no cost and up to $250,000 toward the implementation of a biomass system. The program complements Clean Energy Wisconsin, Governor Doyle’s strategy to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy future. This comprehensive plan moves Wisconsin forward by promoting renewable energy, creating new jobs, increasing energy security and efficiency and improving the environment.
A recent study funded by Focus on Energy and conducted by the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC), “Heating with Biomass: A Feasibility Study of Wisconsin Schools Heated with Wood,” found that as many as 25 percent of Wisconsin schools could save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs by switching from natural gas to heating their buildings with wood, or other biomass. Biomass, a renewable resource, typically consists of clean wood chips, wood pellets, switchgrass or other agricultural based pellets. This is a significant finding considering Wisconsin schools spend close to $200 million a year on energy costs.
The study concludes that the annual energy costs from wood biomass systems could be 29 percent to 57 percent less expensive than natural gas and save schools between $53,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on current fuel prices. The study included case studies from Barron, Hayward, Shell Lake and Rice Lake, Wis., high schools.
by jboullion | Dec 22, 2008 | Uncategorized
A media release issued by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association:
Milwaukee, WI – Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and other funders, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is now offering a wide variety of solar courses in the Milwaukee area. These courses range from introductory seminars to hands-on installation training.
“We are very excited to be working with our partners in the Milwaukee area to offer high quality solar training for home and business owners,” said Tehri Parker, Executive Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. “Our goals for this program are two fold: to build a solid base of knowledge and enthusiasm for these technologies among Milwaukee residents, and to train a dependable workforce that can scope, install, and maintain these systems.”
The MREA has been offering workshops on renewable energy system design and installation since 1990. This new initiative will bring more of this training to the Milwaukee area. “Our partnership with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity will provide us with rooftops where students can participate in actual solar electric and solar hot water installations,” explains Clay Sterling, MREA Education Director. “We now have the equipment and facilities available to offer a full range of Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Installation courses.” Over 50 seminars, workshops, and training events are planned for the upcoming year. The full schedule will be on line at www.the-mrea.org starting January 1, 2009.
To help people connect to these programs the MREA now has a Milwaukee address and phone number. In addition the main office in Custer, Wisconsin, the MREA may also be reached at:
MREA – Milwaukee, 544 E Ogden Ave. Ste 700-225, Milwaukee, WI 53202, 414-303-7351.
Watch for the schedule to be posted here after January 1, 2009.
by jboullion | Dec 22, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in The Tomah Journal:
Let’s assume you live in Tomah and want to visit Atlanta. You either drive to the La Crosse airport, catch a flight to Minneapolis before taking another flight to Atlanta, or you can drive three hours to the Minneapolis airport and take the direct flight.
But there’s another possibility — replace the La Crosse-Minneapolis flight or long car trip with light rail from Tomah to Minneapolis.
Officials from the Twin Cities are touting light rail between Minneapolis and Chicago, and they have a powerful ally in President-elect Barack Obama, who appears ready to make high-speed rail part of his economic stimulus program. It’s an investment that’s long overdue, and it has potential to unsnarl an air passenger system that’s as reliable as electricity in Iraq. Air travelers are all too familiar with a web of connecting flights that often don’t run on time and leave passengers spending more time in airport lounges than moving through the air.
