by jboullion | Feb 3, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in The Country Today:
We hear it all the time in rural Wisconsin communities: “We don’t want that wind farm, large dairy operation or anaerobic digester in our neighborhood.”
The not-in-my-backyard mentality hasn’t gone away and it isn’t likely to anytime soon.
The NIMBY attitude really isn’t so hard to understand. If someone lived in a peaceful rural neighborhood and that person had a choice, he or she probably would opt not to have that tranquility disrupted by a large business being built next door, whether it be an ethanol plant, a hog confinement operation or a widget factory.
It would be quite unusual to hear, “Please don’t build that in my backyard, build it in my front yard!”
Within the past week, stories have crossed our desks about a large dairy project near Rosendale, a Manitowoc County wind farm and a community animal-manure digester project in Dane County.
by jboullion | Feb 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement from Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI):
Grants are now available for both new construction and remodeling of existing homes that are targeting net zero energy use when completed.
Complete details can be found at www.GreenMaxHome.com. Click here to view the GreenMax Home RFP.
WPPI’s Web site explains the concept of a net zero energy home:
A net zero energy home is connected to the energy grid that supplies your local utility with power, but it is designed and constructed to produce at least as much energy as it consumes. The house supplies energy back to the grid in — at a minimum —an amount equal to the amount of power the homeowner purchases from the grid, resulting in a “net zero” impact on the nation’s energy supply. Any excess energy generated by the house is fed back into the grid.
This new concept combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar water heating and solar electricity. In many cases, the entire energy consumption — heating, cooling and appliances — of a net zero energy home can be provided by renewable energy sources.
Proposed homes must be built in a WPPI Energy member utility service area. WPPI’s member utilities are:
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 | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
by jboullion | Jan 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a letter sent to hospitality businesses by Focus on Energy:
Dear Wisconsin Hospitality Business:
As energy prices rise, now is a great time to discover the money-saving power of solar hot water.
A hospitality business like yours could save 50% or more on water-heating costs!
Solar hot water systems use energy from the sun to heat water for guest rooms, housekeeping, laundry facilities, food service, swimming pools and more. In many businesses, installing a solar hot water system can generate a positive cash flow almost immediately.
What can solar hot water do for your business?
+ Decrease your water-heating costs by 50% or more
+ Insulate your business from the rising cost of energy
+ Reduce pollution to help protect the environment
+ Enhance your reputation as an environmentally friendly business
For a real-world example of the benefits of solar hot water, click here for a case study that explains how Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells installed the state’s largest solar hot water system to save an expected $590,000 over 20 years.
Reduce your up-front costs with incentives from Focus on Energy.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, offers financial incentives to help you fund up to 25% of the installed cost of your system. Federal tax credits and depreciation are also available to save you even more. Together, these funds can pay for more than half of the total cost
of your system!
Start saving with solar hot water.
Find out why a solar hot water system is a smart and affordable business investment that can boost your bottom line for years to come. Call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/solarhotel1 to learn more about the benefits of solar water heating—plus energy efficiency tips to help you save even more with this tried and proven renewable energy solution.
by jboullion | Jan 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
Businesses with possible products or services for the wind industry could find new opportunities by attending the Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Seminar, March 31, 2009, Appleton, WI, produced by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA):
The wind energy industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, which is bringing major supply chain challenges to the industry while it aggressively “ramps up” domestic manufacturing of wind turbines and their components. As a result, there is significant opportunity for state and local governments, manufacturers and component suppliers across all industries to help feed the supply chain and grow their business.
This state-level seminar will focus on supply chain challenges and opportunities in the state of Wisconsin for companies looking to get involved in the supply of components and services to the wind energy industry. This state-level event is designed to focus on specific aspects for Wisconsin-based companies and to enable their entrance into the wind industry.
AWEA is presenting this workshop with the support of The New North, RENEW Wisconsin, We Energies, State of Wisconsin-Office of Energy Independence, Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
More details here.
