by jboullion | Nov 30, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Bob Seaquist in the Onalaska Holmen Life Courier:
Saving energy in small ways is saving the Onalaska School District big money. Doug Hause, the district’s energy director told the Onalaska Board of Education Monday night the effort has saved $446,058 over the past 24 months. That is a 30 percent drop from what energy expenditures would have been without the program.
“We don’t suddenly have $400,000 sitting there but just have $400,000 less in expenses,” Superintendent John Burnett said.
In the past two years Onalaska schools spent $1,096,427 for energy.
The district contracts with Energy Education Inc., paying the firm about $88,500 per year in a four-year contract.
The company estimates the school district will save $4.5 million over a 10-year period if it sticks with the effort, Hauser said.
Remarkably, energy savings continue piling up even though the program is going into its third year. Hauser said a “plateau” has not occurred because there are “so many ways n facets n to save energy.” He gives extra credit to building head custodians who keep looking for ways to cut electricity, heat and air conditioning waste.
by jboullion | Nov 30, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Larry Sandler and Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Wisconsin’s public transit supporters have their best chance in years to win long-sought funding for buses and proposed commuter trains.
But that’s no guarantee they’ll get it – or that what they get will pay for everything they want.
Heading into next year’s state budget debates, key elements are in place to overhaul transit finance: the passage of a Milwaukee County advisory referendum seeking a local sales tax for transit and other services; growing support from legislators, Gov. Jim Doyle and the business community for buses and KRM Commuter Link trains; a sense of urgency that the cash-strapped Milwaukee County Transit System is running out of time; and a statewide coalition that reaches beyond southeastern Wisconsin into Dane County and the Fox Valley.
Also in place, however, are the same factors that have blocked a solution until now: Conflicting agendas from Milwaukee-area politicians; and fear that voters will punish lawmakers who raise sales taxes.
For years, transit advocates have sought to take buses off the property tax and out of competition with other local services for funding. Sales taxes support most other major U.S. transit systems, but Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and others have opposed new taxes here.
While the issue has been debated, the Milwaukee County bus system has been caught in a cycle of fare increases, service cuts and falling ridership as federal funds dwindle. Without new state or local funding, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and the Public Policy Forum have warned that the bus system could face a 35% service cut by 2010.
by jboullion | Nov 28, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a post on a site called Volumne One:
Meet to plan programs and projects for upcoming year, and informational update on Eau Claire’s progress towards area sustainability.
7:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
835-1733
421 S. Farwell St.
Eau Claire, WI
by jboullion | Nov 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
From the Evergreen page of the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative:
Evergreen is a voluntary renewable energy (green power) program available to your home, farm, or business through Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, a member-cooperative of the Dairyland Power system. Evergreen is for those who want to do more to support renewable energy generation.
This is how it works:
1. You choose one of the Evergreen Levels listed below.
2. For each block (100 kWh) you will be purchasing that amount of energy from a renewable energy source.
3. Your energy bill will be charged the additional cost (see chart below) to help offset the cost it takes to support renewable energy.
4. A one year subscription is required, but after that you can cancel at any time.
by jboullion | Nov 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)announcement of the 2009 Organic Farming Conference, February 26-28, 2009, in La Cross
An extraordinary, farmer-centered event, the Organic Farming Conference is the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. In 2008, more than 2,300 people attended, with participants traveling from 37 states and 1 foreign country. Sponsored by the Wisconsin-based Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), the conference is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community.
The conference is highly regarded due to its practical workshops designed to help beginning, transitional, and experienced organic farmers.
by jboullion | Nov 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
Congress for the New Urbanism
CNU Wisconsin Group
Invites you to attend a great local opportunity to become involved in CNU and meet professionals and others with similar interests.
Presenting: “New Urbanism and You”
With Guest Speaker: Steve Filmanowicz, Communications Director, Congress for the New Urbanism
Steve will speak about the benefits of walkable urban development, ranging from more livable communities, to reduced carbon emissions – plus, how CNU is working to remove the barriers that stand in the way of great neighborhoods and sound transportation systems.
MILWAUKEE
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
5pm (light snacks served)
Office of Engberg Anderson Design Partnership
320 E. Buffalo – Corner of Milwaukee & Buffalo Streets, 53202
Take elevator to 5th Floor
Doors open until 6pm
Note: The CNU Wisconsin Group is developing a chapter of the national Congress for the New Urbanism – which seeks to expand its influence and capabilities through chapters. For questions, call Joan Herriges at 414-289-7685, or email joanherriges@yahoo.com.
