by jboullion | Dec 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a guest column my Keith Reopelle in the Wausau Daily Herald:
As our elected leaders in Madison draft the details of a clean energy jobs bill and legislators in Washington debate climate change legislation, it is important to note that strong legislation pushing the transition toward clean energy will not only protect north central Wisconsin’s environment but also help bolster its economy.
With its abundance of natural resources, strong workforce and entrepreneurial spirit, the Wausau area could help lead the transition to a clean energy economy, creating new businesses and much-needed jobs for area residents.
One need look no further than We Energies’ proposed biomass-fueled power plant at the Domtar Corporation’s paper mill in Rothschild to see how climate legislation can have a positive economic impact in north-central Wisconsin. We Energies predicts that this proposed plant will create approximately 400 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs. This single project would be a long-lasting boon for the local community, and represents merely one of hundreds of projects in north-central Wisconsin that could help strengthen our economy.
Without a current state law that requires utilities to produce 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015, it is unlikely that this job-creating project ever would have been proposed.
Passing a state clean energy jobs bill and passing a strong federal climate change bill would help spark more economic growth in the Wausau area by producing even greater demand for clean, renewable energy. Residents of north central Wisconsin could go to work installing solar panels on homes, erecting residential wind turbines, making homes and businesses more energy efficient and manufacturing the parts needed to construct renewable energy systems.
by jboullion | Nov 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From RENEW Wisconsin’s brief filed with the Public Service Commission in support of the Glacier Hills Wind Park:
The design of the proposed Project is in the public interest first and foremost because it will be powered by wind rather than fossil fuels. Wind energy is a locally available, self-replenishing, emission-free electricity source. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, must be imported, are available in limited quantities, and emit pollutants. Moreover, using wind energy furthers the State’s policy goal that all new installed capacity for electric generation be based on renewable energy resources to the extent cost-effective and technically feasible. Wis. Stat. § 1.12(3)(b).
In his direct testimony, RENEW Wisconsin witness Michael Vickerman outlined a number of other public policy objectives that would be advanced by the construction of Glacier Hills. These include:
1. Helping Wisconsin Electric Power Company (“WEPCO”) meet its renewable energy requirements under Wis. Stat. § 196.378(2)(a)(2)d;
2. Securing adequate supplies of energy from sustainable sources;
3. Protecting ratepayers from rising fossil fuel prices;
4. Reducing air and water emissions from generation sources;
5. Preserving working farms and pasture land;
6. Generating additional revenues for host towns and counties;
7. Reducing the flow of capital out of Wisconsin for energy purchases; and
8. Investing Wisconsin capital in a wealth-producing energy generating facility within its borders.
by jboullion | Nov 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Brian Reisinger in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Planned layoffs and furloughs at Wisconsin Public Service Corp. could impact the Wausau area, though it’s unclear how at this point.
The utility’s holding company, Integrys of Green Bay, plans an undetermined number of layoffs throughout the Midwest. In addition, about 600 administrators will take an unpaid week off in 2010, WPS spokesman Kerry Spees said.
The Wausau area has about 350 WPS workers, out of 5,100 total Integrys employees throughout the Midwest, said Jim Rosenberg, a community and governmental affairs representative for the utility. That makes local layoffs likely, said Rosenberg, who also serves on the Wausau City Council and Marathon County Board.
“The short answer is probably, but we don’t know that yet,” until the company weighs its options, he said.
Rosenberg said WPS will offer voluntary severance and that the number of people who accept it could affect the number of layoffs.
Spees said commercial demand for power is down nearly 9 percent compared with last year, and Rosenberg pointed to the recession as a contributing factor.
by jboullion | Nov 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an Associated Press article by John Flesher in The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan):
PARK FALLS, Wis. – Forests are a treasure trove of limbs and bark that can be made into alternative fuels and some worry the increasing trend of using that logging debris will make those materials too scarce, harming the woodlands.
For centuries, forests have provided lumber to build cities, pulp for paper mills and a refuge for hunters, fishers and hikers. A flurry of new, green ventures is fueling demand for trees and the debris leftover when they are harvested, which is called waste wood or woody biomass.
”There simply is nowhere near enough waste wood for all of these biomass projects that are popping up all over the place,” said Marvin Roberson, a forest policy specialist with the Sierra Club in Michigan.
Waste wood has become a sought-after commodity, prompting concerns that the demand might overwhelm supply and damage the ecosystem. But government officials say there’s plenty available and they point to guidelines that are aimed at maintaining tree debris to give the soil nutrients.
Many biomass projects are tied to the forests that extend across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and part of Ontario. Among them is Flambeau River Papers, a mill in Park Falls, Wis., that emerged from bankruptcy three years ago and is pinning its hopes for profitability on generating its own heat with woody biomass.
In another Wisconsin town 50 miles away, a power company is switching from burning coal to producing combustible gas from logging leftovers. And in Michigan’s neighboring Upper Peninsula, a plant under development called Frontier Renewable Resources will convert timber into 40 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol a year.
Researchers led by University of Minnesota forest expert Dennis Becker reported this summer that many would-be investors are uneasy about supplies of waste wood.
They fear environmental reviews and litigation could make some public woodlands unreliable sources, particularly in the West, where most forest lands are under federal ownership and logging often raises legal tussles, the report said.
Another problem with woody biomass is that much of the supply is in protected areas, or so far from markets that removing and transporting it would be too expensive, Becker said.
He led a separate study that found a realistic estimate of biomass available in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin was 4.1 million tons a year. Annual demand soon could reach 5.7 million tons, it said.
by jboullion | Nov 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 23, 2009) — Homeowners who purchase their gas from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) have the opportunity to enhance the comfort of their homes and reduce their energy bills with the introduction of new financial incentives. The additional financial incentives are being offered by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy resource, in partnership with WPS and are meant to encourage participation in Focus on Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program. . . .
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR – How the Program Works
High energy bills are primarily traced to poorly performing components of a home such as air leaks and insufficient insulation. This is an important reason why homeowners should try to pinpoint the exact source of their high energy bills. Through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program and a network of partnering consultants, homeowners can schedule a home energy evaluation which will help them find out exactly what energy efficiency improvements their home needs. The program’s qualified contractors and trade partners can then implement the recommended improvements, ensuring the work is done to Home Performance with ENERGY STAR standards.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR – Increased Financial Incentives In addition to technical expertise, the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program offers Cash-Back Rewards to consumers who improve the energy efficiency of their omes. And for a limited time, homeowners who have an evaluation and complete at least three recommendations within six months, will be eligible for additional rewards of up to $3,000. Improvements made will pay off not only in lower energy bills, but in peace of mind knowing the home is now comfortable and less of a strain on the environment.
To find out more about the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, including details on the increased financial incentives, program Cash-Back Rewards, eligibility requirements and names of consultants and qualified contractors who partner with the program, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/wps.
