by jboullion | Apr 8, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chad Dally in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Wisconsin scientists hope to drill a well in Marathon County to determine the potential of using the earth’s own heat to power homes and produce renewable energy.
The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey in October asked for permission to drill a geothermal well in one of three spots in the county: Mission Lake County Park, the Ringle Forest Unit and Leather Camp Forest Unit.
Those spots were chosen because the geology shows extensive granite deposits, which tends to hold more heat than other forms of rock such as sandstone or dolomite, said David Hart, the Geological and Natural History Survey’s project manager.
The county’s Forestry and Recreation Committee this week approved the request and opted for the Leather Camp site south of Kronenwetter because drilling there would have the least effect on recreation opportunities. The Environmental Resources Committee also will consider the request April 19.
If approved, the research well would be 6 inches in diameter and between 800 and 1,000 feet deep in Leather Camp forest, Hart said. There is limited information about Wisconsin’s geothermal resources, and the Marathon County well is one of six planned to assess potential.
Researchers would measure how the temperature increases with depth.
“I view our study as basic measurements necessary to decide whether or not we should pursue enhanced geothermal energy in Wisconsin,” Hart said. “The study will also benefit the heat pump or groundsource geothermal systems that many homeowners are installing.”
by jboullion | Apr 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Sheboygan Press:
President Barack Obama has twice in the last year called for the nation to reduce its dependence of foreign oil by embarking on a multi-faceted plan on energy.
Obama’s first call for energy independence was followed less than a month later by the Deep Water Horizon oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
We hope that the president’s latest energy initiative is followed not by a disaster, but by a commitment from Congress to develop a national energy policy. A commitment from the American people to be receptive of alternative energy sources would be nice, too. . . .
Until recently, we thought Wisconsin was poised to become a leader in helping the nation reach that goal.
Wind power was one area where Wisconsin was setting the pace.
The state had sensible rules on where wind turbines could be located in relation to residential properties and the state was on its way toward making progress on using this renewable energy resource. But those rules are on hold and are likely to be changed to the point where it will be impractical for companies interested in locating wind farms to do business in Wisconsin.
This is not only shortsighted in development of renewable energy sources, it is also a job-killer because the companies that now make wind turbines in Wisconsin are already talking about relocating to states where wind power is welcomed.
The easy thing to do is to keep relying on oil and coal to power our cars and heat our homes. The wise thing is to develop a long-range plan that relies on renewable energy.
by jboullion | Apr 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
A Fox Valley person provided a copy of the following letter to RENEW Wisconsin:
People of Glenmore Township:
PLEASE VOTE RESPONSIBLY!
Dear Fellow Townspeople,
Two months ago, I was a supporter of the BCCRWE [Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy]. I was actively opposing the wind turbines coming into any of the townships in our area, including Glenmore.
But then something happened.
As the March 7th meeting drew closer, I heard disturbing things from members of the BCCRWE. Things that scared me. Even before the meeting took place, there were threats being made towards our town board members if the vote did not go in the favor of the BCCRWE. There were “agendas” being planned, and conspiracies being formed, not only against the project, but against individual people.
On March 7th, I sat quietly through the meeting listening to barbaric accusations, foul language, curses and threats hurled at our town board. Members of the BCCRWE shouted inappropriate and belittling comments and became unruly and disruptive to the point that law enforcement needed to be called. Later, I read accounts of that same meeting, written by the BCCRWE, that were horribly distorted and inaccurate. Actually, they were straight out lies!
On March 16th, I sat through another meeting and watched the same unruly group, once again, disrespect our town leaders. As the members of the BCCRWE were chanting “Shame on you” to the town board, I was the one that was ashamed to have ever been a part of that group.
On April 5th, you have an opportunity to elect new town board members. Many of the candidates are the same people who threatened and disrespected our current board members for following the law. One candidate admitted, her only goal was to terminate wind turbines in the town and then she wants out. Is that the chairperson you want running the entire township? Even for one term?
The recent events of oil spills in the gulf and nuclear plant failures in Japan should make all of us take a second look at wind energy. I realized after the two meetings in March, that the only reason I didn’t want turbines, was because I couldn’t have on of my own. So, I’m a NIMBY.
It’s important, that we have “responsible” leaders in our township. The mob I witnessed at the last two meetings, did not fit that definition. It would be a disaster to have those people who demonstrated irrational, biased and disorderly behavior, become our new leaders. I was embarrassed to have ever been a part of that group.
Since I have seen how threatening and dangerous this group can be, I prefer to sign only as,
A Concerned Townsperson
by jboullion | Apr 4, 2011 | Uncategorized
Last year, over 300 individuals volunteered at the nation’s largest Energy Fair. From working the front gates to working in the MREA Café, the success of the Energy Fair depends greatly on our volunteers.
Sign up to volunteer 2 hours during The Fair and you’ll get free admission to that day of the Fair.
Sign up to volunteer for 12 hours or more during the week of The Fair and get free weekend admission and a Hardcore Volunteer t-shirt!
This year the MREA is partnering with the United Way Volunteer Center of Portage County to register volunteers for the 22nd Annual Energy Fair. Click here and register to volunteer for any of the 30 projects available from June 13-June 20.
by jboullion | Apr 1, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Kathleen Footy in the Wausau Daily Herald:
ROTHSCHILD — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ approval Monday of a proposed biomass energy plant leaves just one obstacle in the way of the $250 million project.
The state’s Public Service Commission, including new Chairman Phil Montgomery, is a three-member panel charged with regulating the state’s utilities and vetting new construction projects. The PSC will rule on whether the power plant — a joint project of Milwaukee utility We Energies and Domtar Paper — would serve customers and residents well.
PSC regulators can schedule a meeting on the proposal at any time. The commissioners typically discuss cases at an open meeting in Madison, then finalize an order to be voted on at their next meeting.
Opponents of the Rothschild project, who feel out of options since comments to the PSC are closed, plan to push for the DNR to create a safeguard against emissions from the plant.
Rob Hughes, a member of the citizens group Saving Our Air Resources, or SOAR, said he was disappointed by the DNR’s decision. Hughes said the DNR should move its air-quality monitoring station in Marathon County from Lake DuBay to Rothschild to guarantee residents’ safety.
“It shouldn’t be a big deal since they say the air will be safe,” Hughes said. “That would reassure the community that ‘Yes, the air is safe.’ I think that’s the best we can hope for.”
