by jboullion | May 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by WPS Community Foundation:
Green Bay, WI – Twenty-seven high school teams are set to take part in the 13th Annual Solar Olympics on Wednesday, May 13, on the campus of UW-Stevens Point. The event is free and open to the public.
The event, sponsored by WPS Community Foundation and UWSP, begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m. in and around the Dreyfus University Center and Learning Resource Center. For the seventh consecutive year, a record number of schools will participate. Twelve different activities, which range from building solar devices to creating art with a solar theme, test students’ knowledge of solar energy in events ranging from solar cookers and model cars to sculptures and building design. Schools attending this year include:
Participating Schools:
Antigo High School
Ashwaubenon High School
Bay Port High School
Beecher Dunbar Pembine High School
Chilton High School
Crivitz High School
D.C. Everest High School
De Pere High School
Denmark High School
Gibraltar High School
Green Bay Southwest
Green Bay West High School
Lourdes High School, Oshkosh
Marathon High School Marinette High School
Merrill High School
Oconto High School
Oshkosh West High School
Pacelli High School
Pulaski High School
Tomahawk High School
Valders High School
Wausau High School
Wausaukee High School
West De Pere High School
Wrightstown High School
Lena High School (Observing)
“The schools’ energy and creativity really shine at Solar Olympics,” said Chip Bircher, Renewable Energy Product Manager for WPS. “These high school students are really enthused about making a difference with renewable energy. Many of our customers are investigating “green” options to benefit the environment, and Solar Olympics is a great event for everyone to learn more.”
by jboullion | May 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Liz Welter in The Stevens Point Journal:
MARSHFIELD — A ranch-style home under construction in Marshfield’s Prairie Run subdivision will be central Wisconsin’s first verified “green-built” home.
“That means it meets the national standards for green building and it will be certified” during different steps in the construction process, said Jeff Redetzke, owner of JR Builders of Marshfield, which is constructing the house.
“A green-built home is a good value for a home buyer,” Redetzke said. Using geothermal energy cuts a natural gas bill by 50 percent to 70 percent, he said.
There are a multitude of components considered and used in building a home that maximizes energy efficiency while diminishing its carbon impact on the Earth, Redetzke said.
“We try to use materials that will last for 50 years and are recyclable afterwards. Like a metal roof is very green. It lasts for the life of the house and later can be recycled,” he said.
Geothermal energy and other energy efficiency building standards are practices embraced by the developers and owners of Prairie Run, said Dan Helwig, one of the development’s owners.
“We’re just totally excited. This is the kind of home that hasn’t been seen in this marketplace,” Helwig said.
Prairie Run was conceived to utilize green or sustainable concepts in developing the site and in building a variety of homes and businesses, Helwig said.
“I’ve wanted to do something like this, and Prairie Run is the right place,” Redetzke said.
by jboullion | May 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
Terry McGowan of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 speaks at the press conference for the introduction of a bill to set uniform siting standards for wind projects in Wisconsin.
From a news release issued by Sen. Jeff Plale, Rep. Jim Soletski, Sen. Randy Hopper, and Rep. Phil Montgomery:
MADISON – A bipartisan coalition of Wisconsin legislators announced that they are introducing legislation that calls for the creation of uniform siting standards for wind energy projects. Senate Bill 185 (SB 185), and its Assembly companion, directs the Public Service Commission (PSC), after public input, including a stakeholder committee, to establish by rule, permitting standards to be applied by local or state government to wind energy installations, regardless of size and location.
“Too many wind projects are victims of delay tactics and other obstructions,” Senator Jeff Plale, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail said. “SB 185 will enhance Wisconsin’s economy by protecting and creating “green-collar” jobs; it will attract new investment to our state and support state energy policy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we can make Wisconsin more attractive to wind energy and achieve the resulting economic and environmental benefits.”
“A sensible wind energy policy will help Wisconsin harness the jobs and growth opportunities that green power provides,” stated Representative Jim Soletski, Chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee. “I am excited to be working with a bipartisan group of legislators from diverse regions of the state to remove the obstacles to more development of wind power in Wisconsin. By advancing this legislation, Wisconsin utilities can move toward meeting their obligation to generate clean energy and much needed jobs can be created for our workers.”
“We can’t build a 21st century energy infrastructure by digging in our heels,” Senator Randy Hopper said. “This legislation will ensure that interested parties from all over our state can take part in developing the Public Service Commission’s guidelines.”
“Wind power is job-creating power,” according to Representative Phil Montgomery. “A fair and uniform state standard for siting wind developments will create an environment of investment in our state while moving us closer to our green energy goals.”
In addition to RENEW, the following organizations issued statements of support for Senate Bill 185: CREWE, Clean Wisconsin, Citizens Utility Board, Customers First!, Renewegy, Wind Capital Group, WPPI/Municipal Electric Utilities.
by jboullion | May 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
The spring edition of RENEW’s newsletter includes the following articles:
Legislature to Tackle Wind Permitting
The Importance of Doing the Math
Stimulus Package 101
Policy Drives Solar Hot Water Market
PSC Investigates Renewable Tariffs
Open Letter from RENEW President
Calendar
by jboullion | Apr 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Halter in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature on Tuesday passed bills that would fine drivers who open their doors without first checking for bikers.
The bill, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle, would fine motorists up to $40 for the first offense and up to $100 for the second time in one year. The bill also eliminated the part of the law that requires bicyclists to stay three feet from vehicles.
Nick Holzen, 26, a mechanic at City Bike Works on Third Street in Wausau, said he has been hit by a car in the past and is glad attention is being paid to the issue. He said bike sales are way up at Bike Works and there will be more bicyclists hitting the roads this summer.
“With the economy down, there will be more people out on the road,” he said.
