by jboullion | Feb 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by WPPI Energy (formerly Wisconsin Public Power, Inc.):
WPPI Energy has established a $10 million revolving loan fund to make zero-interest loans to help its members lead by example in the areas of energy efficiency, conservation and the use of renewable energy.
“Saving energy and increasing our local use of renewable resources is one of the most important investments we can make for the future,” said WPPI Energy President and CEO Roy Thilly. “Increased efficiency will help lower the energy costs for member communities, defer the need for expensive new power plants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep customer bills down in a rising rate environment.”
WPPI Energy’s members include 49 municipalities in Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Iowa, and one Upper Michigan cooperative electric association. The WPPI Energy Member Loan Program is designed to help members implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on utility and other municipally owned property, thereby lowering operating costs and meeting members’ local energy needs with local renewable resources.
Typical projects will include:
+ Building or equipment efficiency upgrades
+ Meeting U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for building projects
+ LED street lights and traffic signals
+ Efficient fleet vehicles
+ Photovoltaic solar panel systems
WPPI’s member utilities are in the following communities:
Alger Delta, MI
Algoma
Baraga, MI
Black River Falls
Boscobel
Brodhead
Cedarburg
Columbus
Cuba City
Eagle River
Evansville
Florence
Gladstone, MI
Hartford
Hustisford
Independence, IA
Jefferson
Juneau
Kaukauna
L’Anse, MI
Lake Mills
Lodi
Maquoketa, IA
Menasha
Mount Horeb
Muscoda
Negaunee, MI
New Glarus
New Holstein
New London
New Richmond
Norway, MI
Oconomowoc
Oconto Falls
Plymouth
Prairie du Sac
Reedsburg
Richland Center
River Falls
Slinger
Stoughton
Sturgeon Bay
Sun Prairie
Two Rivers
Waterloo
Waunakee
Waupun
Westby
Whitehall
by jboullion | Feb 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story on Channel3000.com:
WAUSAU, Wis. — A northern Wisconsin company is one example of how President Barack Obama hopes his stimulus plan will help the economy.
PDM Solar in Wausau received a $200,000 grant from Wisconsin’s Energy Independence Fund, which gives money to companies working on renewable energy projects.
PDM said it hopes to hire hundreds of Wisconsin workers over the next five years to mass-produce its solar-powered air conditioner.
“We’re taking a technology that was, you know, 100 years, 120 years old, and packaging it differently and using it in an application that has never been used before,” said David Baker with PDM Solar.
In order to mass-produce the product, the company will need assembly-line workers, engineers and workspace.
The company will build its first solar air conditioner in Phoenix.
by jboullion | Feb 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
Go inside the core and climb to the very top of a Vestas V82 wind turbine in the Top of Iowa 3 Wind Farm.
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From Madison Gas and Electric’ renewable energy channel Green View.
by jboullion | Feb 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA:
The 5th annual Small Wind Conference is scheduled for June 16-17, 2009 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI.
This is the only Small Wind Power Conference of its kind in the Nation. The Conference welcomes small wind installers, manufacturers, site assessors, dealers, distributors, state representatives and zoning officials and policy makers. Interested parties should contact Kirsten at 715-592-6595 or register online.
by jboullion | Feb 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Web site of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA):
The ReNew the Earth Institute is a place where people of all ages can learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable living, and other environmental issues. The Institute has working renewable energy systems, hands-on educational displays, demonstration gardens, a resource library, and a workshop/conference room. . . .
Located at 7558 Deer Road in Custer, WI., we’ve got many projects on the way for this spring, and we can always use an extra pair of hands. Call Mike at 715-592-6595 ext.105 if you are interested in helping for a couple hours or even for a couple of days
