by jboullion | Jul 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by D.J. Slater in the Wausau Daily Herald:
A Stratford-based roofing company hopes its new venture will help residents and businesses go green even as the economy continues to slide.
Since mid-May, Kulp’s of Stratford has offered residents and businesses the chance to upgrade their properties with solar roofing. The systems allow property owners to generate electrical power from the sun, which they can use and sell to utility companies.
The roof panels can either replace conventional roofs or be placed over an existing roof, said Bob Kulp, co-owner of Kulp’s. The panels are designed to collect energy for about 30 years and last about 50 to 60 years before needing to be replaced, he said.
“We definitely see a bright future ahead for this service,” Kulp said.
Kulp’s midrange solar system, which are applicable for most homeowners, ranges from $20,000 to $30,000, but those costs can be cut by as much as 55 percent through federal tax credits provided by the Internal Revenue Service and grants from Focus on Energy.
Those incentives were enough to convince Edgar resident Debby Kregenow to invest in her own solar roof, which was installed last week.
“We figured, if we’re going to put new money into a roof, why not go solar?” she said. “We are very happy with it.”
by jboullion | Jul 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Ever since Lee Sherman Dreyfus came up with the term “ruralplex” to describe the way Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids could work together, it’s been apparent that central Wisconsin can be more than the sum of its parts.
Over the years, we’ve consistently been in favor of initiatives to connect central Wisconsin’s cities, whether that meant establishing Central Wisconsin Airport as the region’s hub, encouraging University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to expand its offerings throughout the area, or even exploring the possibility of a regional jail.
But one of the most fundamental ways for the cities of central Wisconsin to be connected is simply to make it easier for people to get from one city to another.
Several area mayors have begun exploring options for creating a commuter bus line that would connect the area — a loop through the southern cities of Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, heading north to CWA, Wausau, Marathon and Merrill. This is a project with the long-term potential to spur economic growth, and strengthen the cultural capital of central Wisconsin as a whole.
by jboullion | Jul 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Web site of a new organization:
A farmshed is the network of people, businesses, organizations, and productive lands that create a local food economy.
Central Rivers Farmshed is a growing movement in Central Wisconsin to build and strengthen relationships between local farms, restaurants, retailers, and consumers.
To get involved, visit our wiki page at www.farmshed.pbwiki.com.
The site lists farmers’ markets and other food related events.
by jboullion | Jul 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Doyle:
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced the creation of a new nonprofit organization, the Wisconsin Climate Change Action Initiative, Inc. (WCCAI), to build on Wisconsin’s strong efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Formation of the nonprofit organization was recommended in the report from Governor Doyle’s Task Force on Global Warming as a way to build upon Wisconsin’s national leadership on climate change. . . .
WCCAI will focus on providing education, practical advice and expertise to residents, communities and businesses on simple, effective steps to reduce our carbon footprint, without affecting comfort or productivity. This effort will complement existing programs like the Focus on Energy Schools and Government Program and the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership which are designed to achieve Governor Doyle’s goal of getting 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of our transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025.
Initial funding will be provided through a $5 million contribution from We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric and WPPI Energy under an agreement with Clean Wisconsin and Sierra Club to resolve outstanding permit issues related to the Elm Road power plants under construction in Oak Creek.
The initial members of the Board of Directors of the Initiative are:
Roy Thilly, WPPI Energy
Tia Nelson, BCPL
Gale Klappa, We Energies
Mark Redsten, Clean Wisconsin
Matt Frank, Secretary Department of Natural Resources
Judy Ziewacz, Director Office of Energy Independence
Paul Meier, UW Energy Institute
Clay Nessler, Johnson Controls
Roger Dower, The Johnson Foundation
Mary Jo Carson, Mayor, WI Rapids
Dave Gilles, Attorney, Godfrey & Kahn
by jboullion | Jul 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Liz Welter in the Marshfield News-Herald:
The Sustainable Marshfield Committee is well on its way to bringing the city to the fore of communities in Wisconsin developing environment-friendly initiatives and programs, said Brian Driscoll, community development director at the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence.
The amount accomplished and current plans of the committee is impressive for a city of Marshfield’s size, Driscoll said at a recent meeting of the Sustainable Marshfield Committee.
Through the committee’s efforts, Marshfield was awarded a state 25×25 grant in January. The city is one of 23 communities to begin developing plans demonstrating the potential to reduce fuel consumption and use alternative fuels to reach the governor’s goal of generating 25 percent of the state’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.
As a result of the grant and other work completed by the Sustainable Committee, a contingent from Waupaca toured the city in the spring as they formulate plans for their own sustainablity committee.
“It’s impressive that Waupaca would come here to learn from Marshfield,” Driscoll said.
