by jboullion | Jan 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
After much travail,a formal application has been submitted to build a wind farm in the Town of Sherman. This article comes from The Sheboygan Press:
A Hubertus developer has submitted a formal application to build a wind farm in the Town of Sherman, nearly six months after the project was first unveiled to the public.
The application was filed with town leaders last month and made available to the public within the past week, according to town officials.
The developer, EEW Services LLC, hopes to begin construction this year on the Windy Acres Wind Farm on 400 acres east of state Highway 57, west of county Highway CC and north of county Highway A. The turbines would also connect to a substation in the Town of Holland.
EEW spokesman Jay Mundinger couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
The state’s rules place wind farm siting decisions almost entirely in the hands of the state Public Service Commission, as state wind siting rules supersede local ordinances. However, the project still requires approval by the Sherman and Holland town boards.
Sherman Town Chairman William Goehring said that the two towns are in the process of drafting a joint local wind ordinance, though it cannot be more restrictive than the state’s rules.
Following the receipt of EEW’s formal application, the two towns now have until April 1 to pass the joint measure, Goehring said.
After the local wind ordinance is passed, town leaders from Sherman and Holland will have 45 days to conduct a joint review of the developer’s application to ensure that it is complete.
Once the application is deemed complete, they’ll have another 90 days to hold a public hearing and then vote to approve or reject it.
“Our hands are still very much tied,” said Goehring, referring to the project’s approval ultimately resting with state regulators.
Town officials plan to hold public hearings each step of the way, Goehring said, though nothing has been scheduled yet.
Read more here.
by Jodi Jean Amble | Jan 22, 2013 | Uncategorized
Article: The Country Today – News
Wednesday,
January 16, 2013
MADISON – Wisconsin renewable-energy advocates would like to follow the example of Colorado when it comes to advancing their agenda for more solar, wind and bioenergy production in the state.
In recent years Colorado lawmakers have passed legislation to require that 30 percent of the energy produced by utilities must come from renewable sources by 2020 – legislation that even most of the state’s utilities endorsed during the debate.
Former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter told attendees at the Renew Energy Policy Summit Jan. 11 that while the debate over renewable- Ritter energy standards is generally highly politicized, it was proven in Colorado that the general public supports the use of more clean energy technologies.
“The public is there with us on this,” Ritter said. “There is public will out there and it’s incumbent on us to ask the question, ‘How do you translate that public will into political will?’ “
During Ritter’s tenure as Colorado governor, from 2006 to 2010, the state passed 57 clean energy bills with economic development as a primary component of. most pieces of legislation. Ritter said at virtually every level of government, job creation is key to getting bipartisan support
for legislation.
For example, Ritter said Vestas, a Denmark-based wind-turbine manufacturer, located a production facility in Colorado because the state had passed a renewable energy standard that encouraged the growth of the industry. The company eventually sited three more plants in the state, totaling 1,800 jobs.
“They built them all in Colorado because we were making this big policy push around clean energy,” he said. During the recession, clean energy was Colorado’s only private sector industry in which there was job growth, Ritter said.
The policy summit was sponsored by Renew Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that represents 115 renewable-energy companies and about 300 individuals and organizations who support the advancement of clean energy. Don Wichert, Renew Wisconsin interim executive director, said the goal of the policy summit was to shape policy initiatives with a goal of increasing renewable-energy installations in 2013 and beyond.
Attendees heard from renewable-energy users and policymakers and then participated in breakout sessions to prioritize issues for 2013.
Wichert said policy goals for 2013 include:
- Third-party ownership of clean energy: This would allow customers to directly access renewable energy from third-party-owned renewable energy-systems on the premises. Customers would get fixed-rate electricity over a period of time while developers would own the solar, wind or bioenergy system and-sell electricity back to the utilities.
- Net metering: This would allow customer-generators the ability to receive consistent terms for the power -they produce. If a system delivered more electricity ~an anticipated in a given month, the meter would go backward, allowing the owner to get credit if he or she produced more than was used.
- Renewable-energy standard: Wichert said most Wisconsin utilities have already reached the state’s standard of 10 percent of energy produced from renewable-energy sources by 2015. Neighboring states have more ambitious standards, he said, such as 25 percent by 2025 in Illinois and Minnesota. “It’s time to increase our state’s commitment to renewable energy to develop new business opportunities and jobs,” a Renew Wisconsin policy letter states.
- Community-owned renewables: The goal would be to modernize and streamline rules governing access by clean power producers to the grid, opening the market and making rules consistent across the state.
- Defend Wisconsin’s wind-siting rule: Renew Wisconsin members are predicting that the Wisconsin Realtors Association – concerned about the value of property located next to wind turbines – will work to appeal Wisconsin’s wind energy standards in 2013. Renew Wisconsin officials said it will be their goal to “protect the rule from future legislative
weakening.”
Ritter said with the political debate over clean energy and climate change, clean-energy advocates should concentrate on making the “business case” for policies they want to endorse. “I think it’s fair to say I that it’s become sufficiently politicized that if (climate change) is the opening part of the dialogue, there are people in this country who will quit listening to you,” he said. “But those same people will listen to you if there is a business case to be made.” Ritter said renewable energy proponents should also look for “unconventional allies” in the push for future legislation.
by Ed Blume | Jan 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
From a guest editorial in by Scott Karel in the La Crosse Tribune support of Clean Energy Choice, a 2013 policy goal of RENEW Wisconsin:
Wisconsin citizens have only have two ways to purchase energy for their homes or businesses: either they buy it from the local electric utility or they pay to have their own alternative energy sources installed on their property.
This effectively gives utility companies a monopoly because most people don’t have the disposable income to install such devices on their own.
However, with a little help from state legislators, Wisconsin residents could benefit from more competition in this market while at the same time producing green energy for their own personal consumption.
Third-party owned renewable-energy systems have become an effective method to promote the growth and production of green energy at no additional cost to ratepayers or taxpayers. This system, known as “clean energy choice,” allows a third party to enter into a contract with a farmer, homeowner or business to lease their roof space.
In return, the third-party company will install, operate and maintain, at no cost to the landowner, a solar panel, manure digester, wind turbine or other renewable energy system on their property. The energy from these systems either passes directly to the customer or is sold to the local utility.
Clean energy choice systems are a benefit to all Wisconsin residents for a variety of reasons. For the customers who enter into these agreements, they are able to lock in their utility rates at a fixed amount for the length of the contract, which is typically anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
A fixed energy rate is one of the main reasons that Kohl’s department stores chose to install solar panels on around 100 of its stores located in states that expressly allow third-party ownership of renewable energy systems.
Clean energy choice also creates more competition in the energy market and promotes renewable energy without using government subsidies.
Finally, allowing third-party energy agreements will support the state’s economy by creating more business for the estimated 135 companies in Wisconsin that participate in the solar market.
Currently, laws in more than 20 states — including Illinois, Michigan and Ohio — specifically allow third-party sale of renewable energy to their customers. However, in about 20 other states, including Wisconsin, the law is unclear about whether this type of agreement is allowable.
Third-party energy companies will not attempt to enter into contracts with landowners until there is clarification on this law for fear of being regulated as a public utility.
We think that the energy certainty provided by these agreements would benefit many farmers in Wisconsin who happen to have plenty of wind or open roof space on their buildings but may not have the extra money to install their own wind turbines or solar panels. No law should prevent customers who want to have access to clean energy simply because they cannot afford to install the system on their own.
If you would like to learn more about the Clean Energy Choice legislation being advanced in the Legislature this year, contact me at skarel@wisconsinfarmers union.com or 608-234-3741.
by jboullion | Jan 16, 2013 | Uncategorized
RENEW Wisconsin received a lot of positive press feedback after the 2013 renewable energy policy summit, “Powering Positive Action”. Here is a great press release from SC Johnson, reflecting on their award – find the original here.
Company Presented with “Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year” Award for Advanced Wind Turbine Technology and Other Environmental Efforts
RACINE, Wis., Jan. 11, 2013 – Reflecting SC Johnson’s dedication to the environment, RENEW Wisconsin today awarded it the “Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year” honor, specifically citing the company’s achievements in using renewable energy in its global manufacturing operations. The independent nonprofit organization leads and represents businesses, organizations and individuals seeking cleaner, renewable energy in Wisconsin.
“To be recognized with other Wisconsin companies that also champion clean energy is truly an honor and speaks to the priorities of the business community in our state,” said Kelly M. Semrau, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at SC Johnson. “We are grateful for the support of RENEW Wisconsin and their dedicated efforts to advance clean energy policies that put Wisconsin at the forefront of environmental leadership.”
SC Johnson’s commitment to clean energy was recently reaffirmed in December 2012 with the installation of two 415-foot wind turbines at Waxdale, the company’s largest global manufacturing facility in Mt. Pleasant, Wis. These turbines – the first of their kind in the state – will produce about eight million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually – enough to power 700 homes in a year. Combined with two cogeneration turbines that have been in place since the mid-2000s, the facility is now able to produce an average of 100 percent of its electrical energy onsite.
“SC Johnson is doing outstanding work as a renewable self-generator to make wind energy a smart and viable alternative to power their operations,” said Michael Vickerman, Program and Policy Director at RENEW Wisconsin. “We were thrilled to recognize the company for powering positive action in Wisconsin using wind energy, and we are proud that the policies RENEW has advanced have helped SC Johnson achieve this success.”
SC Johnson is emerging as a regional and national leader for its clean-energy initiatives, particularly those related to wind energy. With the commissioning of the wind project at Waxdale, the company is now the only manufacturer in the country that has installed Vensys turbines – the latest in wind turbine technology, meaning less maintenance and higher energy yields than traditional systems.
SC Johnson’s Worldwide Leadership in Renewables
In addition to the wind turbine project at Waxdale, SC Johnson added three SWIFT mini wind turbines to the roof of its Lowell, Ark., sales office, capable of generating as much as 3,600 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. These reduce carbon dioxide emissions equal to about 280 gallons of gasoline. In the Netherlands, a 262-foot-tall wind turbine helps power the SC Johnson European manufacturing facility.
The company has also been making strides in Indonesia since SC Johnson launched a biofuel initiative that converts waste palm shells as a fuel source to heat water for mosquito coil production. This cuts greenhouse gas emissions at the factory by more than 15 percent and reduces local diesel fuel use by 80 percent. Each of these projects brings SC Johnson closer to the company’s goal of increasing worldwide renewable energy use to 44 percent of total electricity by 2016.
Find the original article here.
by Ed Blume | Jan 16, 2013 | Uncategorized
RENEW Wisconsin received a lot of positive press feedback after the 2013 renewable energy policy summit, “Powering Positive Action”. Here is a great press release from SC Johnson, reflecting on their award – find the original here.
Company Presented with “Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year” Award for Advanced Wind Turbine Technology and Other Environmental Efforts
RACINE, Wis., Jan. 11, 2013 – Reflecting SC Johnson’s dedication to the environment, RENEW Wisconsin today awarded it the “Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year” honor, specifically citing the company’s achievements in using renewable energy in its global manufacturing operations. The independent nonprofit organization leads and represents businesses, organizations and individuals seeking cleaner, renewable energy in Wisconsin.
“To be recognized with other Wisconsin companies that also champion clean energy is truly an honor and speaks to the priorities of the business community in our state,” said Kelly M. Semrau, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at SC Johnson. “We are grateful for the support of RENEW Wisconsin and their dedicated efforts to advance clean energy policies that put Wisconsin at the forefront of environmental leadership.”
SC Johnson’s commitment to clean energy was recently reaffirmed in December 2012 with the installation of two 415-foot wind turbines at Waxdale, the company’s largest global manufacturing facility in Mt. Pleasant, Wis. These turbines – the first of their kind in the state – will produce about eight million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually – enough to power 700 homes in a year. Combined with two cogeneration turbines that have been in place since the mid-2000s, the facility is now able to produce an average of 100 percent of its electrical energy onsite.
“SC Johnson is doing outstanding work as a renewable self-generator to make wind energy a smart and viable alternative to power their operations,” said Michael Vickerman, Program and Policy Director at RENEW Wisconsin. “We were thrilled to recognize the company for powering positive action in Wisconsin using wind energy, and we are proud that the policies RENEW has advanced have helped SC Johnson achieve this success.”
SC Johnson is emerging as a regional and national leader for its clean-energy initiatives, particularly those related to wind energy. With the commissioning of the wind project at Waxdale, the company is now the only manufacturer in the country that has installed Vensys turbines – the latest in wind turbine technology, meaning less maintenance and higher energy yields than traditional systems.
SC Johnson’s Worldwide Leadership in Renewables
In addition to the wind turbine project at Waxdale, SC Johnson added three SWIFT mini wind turbines to the roof of its Lowell, Ark., sales office, capable of generating as much as 3,600 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. These reduce carbon dioxide emissions equal to about 280 gallons of gasoline. In the Netherlands, a 262-foot-tall wind turbine helps power the SC Johnson European manufacturing facility.
The company has also been making strides in Indonesia since SC Johnson launched a biofuel initiative that converts waste palm shells as a fuel source to heat water for mosquito coil production. This cuts greenhouse gas emissions at the factory by more than 15 percent and reduces local diesel fuel use by 80 percent. Each of these projects brings SC Johnson closer to the company’s goal of increasing worldwide renewable energy use to 44 percent of total electricity by 2016.
Find the original article here.
by Ed Blume | Jan 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
Awards Will Recognize “Engines” for Clean Energy Development
(Madison) – In keeping with the theme of “Powering Positive Action,” RENEW Wisconsin will honor eight companies and organizations whose initiatives and investments in local, clean energy sources set inspiring examples for others to follow.
RENEW will also present its Joel Gaalswyk Public Official of the Year award to Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), recognizing his effectiveness as a champion and defender of renewable energy development in Wisconsin.
Sen. Schultz’s award is named after a long-time advocate who lent his strong voice to the cause of advancing renewable energy while a Sauk County supervisor.
The awards ceremony will take place Friday, January 11, 2013, at RENEW Wisconsin’s energy policy summit at UW-Madison’s Pyle Center.
“The Energy Policy Summit is a fitting venue to honor the people and organizations that embraced the vision of energy self-sufficiency and job creation, and made it happen in Wisconsin,” said Michael Vickerman, program and policy director for RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy organization.
“Their solar, wind, and bioenergy installations created jobs, reduced the flow of imported fossil fuels into Wisconsin, and demonstrated responsible environmental stewardship. They truly deserve the recognition, as well as everyone’s appreciation,” Vickerman said.
The following Customer-Generators of the Year will receive recognition for integrating on-site renewable energy to serve their own operations or constituents:
Richland Center Renewable Energy(RCRE), a partnership of Foremost Farms USA and Schreiber Foods
RCRE’s 1.7 megawatt biogas plant in Richland Center converts wastewater supplied by these two local food producers into renewable electricity.
SC Johnson, Racine
SC Johnson’s two-turbine, 3 megawatt windpower installation enables the company to operate its Waxdale production plant with 100% renewable energy generated on site.
Dane County, sponsor of Wisconsin’s first community biogas generating plant.
Dane County’s leadership made possible a 2 megawatt installation near Waunakee that converts manure from nearby dairy farms into clean electricity while reducing nutrient flows into the Yahara Lakes.
Organic Valley Cooperative, La Farge
Its solar and wind generation systems, including a new 2.5 MW turbine in Cashton, supply nearly 90% of the electricity used in Organic Valley’s operations.
Gundersen Health System, La Crosse
With sizable investments in biogas and wind, renewable sources now account for 50% of the electricity used in the company’s facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
Epic Systems, Verona
Its 2.2 MW solar installation is the largest in the state, and its 9 MW wind installation was the largest built in Wisconsin in 2012.
The following firms will receive recognition as Renewable Energy Businesses of the Year for the critical roles they played in the development and construction of renewable energy installations for customers:
DVO, Inc., Chilton
In 2012, DVO, Inc. developed, designed, and built five Wisconsin on-farm biogas generation systems with an aggregate generating capacity of 4 megawatts.
WES Engineering, Madison
In its capacity as a wind engineering firm, WES Engineering was instrumental in advancing 18 megawatts of community-based wind energy in three different locations in Wisconsin (Cashton, Mount Pleasant, and Dane County).
The Public Official of the Year award will be given to State Senator Dale Schultz for his thoughtful, forceful and bipartisan advocacy on behalf of local clean energy development.
END
