by jboullion | Nov 7, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media advisory issued by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
This message is to inform you that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is expected to make a decision on the Alliant Energy proposed coal fire power plant next week Tuesday, November 11, at the PSC’s open commission meeting.
In early 2007, Alliant Energy filed an application with the PSC for permission to build a new 300 megawatt coal-fired electric generation facility. Alliant Energy has indentified two possible locations for the power plant – their Nelson Dewey Generating Station property in Cassville and the Columbia Energy Center in Portage. The PSC has the authority to approve, deny or modify any proposed electric construction project.
When: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Amnicon Falls Hearing Room – 1st floor
610 N. Whitney Way, Madison WI
by jboullion | Nov 7, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Debbie Griffin in the River Falls Journal:
River Falls agreed last year to let Madison-based EcoEnergy install a 197-foot wind-test tower on a hill in the Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park. The company plans to gather wind-speed data through April next year to see if it warrants a permanent 400-foot turbine.
Alex DePillis, an EcoEnergy wind-monitoring engineer, said if the data pans out and the company installs a permanent wind turbine, it would generate enough electricity to power for a year about 350 homes or one of the city’s big industrial businesses.
“The wind-generated electricity would be carried by the city’s lines and used wherever it’s needed at the time,” said DePillis about the potential wind-generated power.
by jboullion | Nov 6, 2008 | Uncategorized
One of several open letters in the Sheperad Express to President-elect
The first priority for the next administration regarding transportation needs to be correcting the serious imbalance between huge federal funding and support for highway expansion and automobile use, compared to only modest support for public transportation. Just months ago, billions of dollars were shifted from the federal mass transit fund into the highway fund to cover our national highway spending binge. Greater federal support for transit infrastructure (longdistance rail, commuter rail, light rail, and bus), as well as for operating expenses, is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to improve air quality in densely populated cities and to reduce the national insecurity that results from our overwhelming dependence on foreign oil. Ending the existing tilt in the playing field in favor of highways will encourage smart growth, urban infill development and redevelopment, and higher employment in our cities. It will also provide additional environmental benefits ranging from increased energy efficiency to preservation of agricultural land.
The impending government bailout of the American automobile industry—a dinosaur that has survived for the last decade or more by trying to sell every American a truck (SUV) in which to commute to and from work—provides an opportunity to try to reshape and refocus it for the future. The industry will only survive if it can produce technologically advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles that can compete with models from Europe and Asia. Requirements for continued improvement in fuel efficiency and air emission standards are necessary to spur constant innovation, rather than giving the industry a “pass” or exemption.
Dennis Grzezinski
Attorney Specializing in Environmental Law
by jboullion | Nov 6, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article in the River Falls Journal:
River Falls committed early last month to join the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership, a state-led program aiming to generate 25% of Wisconsin’s fuels – used for electricity and transportation – from renewable resources by the year 2025.
A press release from the River Falls Municipal Utilities and Governor Jim Doyle’s Web site says the city joins 11 other community members of Wisconsin Public Power, Inc., the city’s power supplier, in committing to help the state achieve energy independence.
River Falls plans to reach this goal by using renewable fuels, taking advantage of diverse resources and reducing energy consumption. Participation in the program enables access to more federal and state funding as well as technical assistance in developing renewable sources.
by jboullion | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a column by State Senator Dale Schultz:
As Wisconsin employers increasingly turn to our state’s rail roads to get their goods to a global market, state residents and communities enjoy the benefits of keeping jobs here, cleaner air from less truck emissions, and safer roads with less truck traffic.
Those benefits make our state owned railroad system a great investment and explain why I believe, despite a tough fiscal climate, we should increase funding to preserve the infrastructure of our public rail system in the next state budget.
Our public railroad system, which serves numerous communities, has been a great benefit by helping employers compete in the global market and keep family supporting jobs in Wisconsin.
The system also helps many villages and cities with their community development goals by generating increased tax revenues as employers invest in plant expansions and equipment.
In the past two years, in just the region I represent as a state senator, our public rail system has led to new jobs and tax base through major projects in Boscobel, Reedsburg and Rock Springs. For numerous state communities, rail service has been an essential asset to save jobs and create new jobs.
As rail shipping replaces thousands of truck trips, our roads last longer, our carbon footprint shrinks and we all breathe cleaner air.
The state helps communities and rail shippers save freight rail service through its Freight Rail Preservation Program. FRPP grants fund up to 80 percent of projects to rehabilitate tracks and bridges on public rail lines, buy essential rail lines so they aren’t abandoned, and save rail corridors for future rail service and sometimes as recreational trails in the interim.
While freight rail traffic is growing in Wisconsin, FRPP funding is falling far short of the needs. In the current state budget, FRPP funds met less than ten percent of the needs, forcing delays of badly needed projects on public owned rail lines. Since 1992, most FRPP funding went to add rail lines to our public system as a last resort to avoid loss of rail service for communities.
by jboullion | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Jeremiah Tucker in The Sauk Prairie Eagle:
The primary reason Stan Temple is installing a large solar-panel unit outside his home is environmental.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Temple said.
But after that, it’s all about the green — and he doesn’t mean energy.
Originally, Temple and his wife, Jane Rundell, were going to install the panels before Dec. 31 when a federal tax credit for solar energy was scheduled to expire.
But when Congress passed the Wall Street bailout package last month a rider was added that extended the 30 percent tax credit for eight years and removed its $2,000 cap.
“If your tax burden don’t exceed that amount, you’ll get a refund,” Temple said.
Now Temple is waiting to activate his solar panels until Jan. 1 in order to take advantage of the new legislation.
After the federal tax credit, Temple also will receive a credit from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program that provides financial incentives for installing renewable energy sources.
And because of a deal he struck with Alliant Energy, he won’t even be using the panels to power his home.
“Alliant will buy my solar power for 25 cents per kilowatt hour, and I pay 11,” Temple said.
Alliant now joins MG&E and We Energies in paying a premium rate for customer-generated solar electricity.
