by jboullion | Feb 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Matt Standal posted on the Northland Newscenter:
ASHLAND, WIS. – Wisconsin Politicians say new renewable energy Standards could be the key to creating more jobs.
It’s called the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and the final public hearing was today in Ashland.
Local folks and political figures gathered at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center to voice their opinions regarding its changes.
“We would be remiss to ignore the opportunities presented by this bill,” State Senator Bob Jauch said, speaking at the hearing. “These are the kinds of initiatives that could create jobs in Wisconsin and protect our environment.”
If adopted by Wisconsin’s state legislature in April, proponents say The Clean Energy Jobs Act would Create At Least 15,000 Green Jobs by 2025 in Wisconsin.
According to Senator Jauch, the bill’s major changes would include new statewide goals for greenhouse gas emissions, improved state funding for renewable energy resources, and strict new requirements for Wisconsin–based renewable energy to flow through the municipal grid.
Jauch and State Representative Gary Sherman say those new requirements should result in better funding for a larger renewable energy industry and more renewable energy jobs too.
Tourism and forestry are our two main industries in the area and they are linked together by this environment,” Sherman said. “If we can find a way to produce jobs, to produce industry, to produce economic development without destroying that resource, than we are looking at a bright future,” Sherman added.
Local residents largely agreed, speaking for or against various points on the proposed bill.
“I was happy to present to Senator Jauch today a petition in support of this bills signed by more than 150 area residents,” said community organizer Bill Busse from Bayfield. “So it has strong grassroots support in our area.”
However, several speakers vocally opposed the bill’s most controversial measure, a resolution reversing the moratorium on new nuclear energy development throughout Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Feb 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
In the rhetoric of the energy bill debate in Madison, energy prices will go up – either because the Legislature passes the Clean Energy Jobs Act or because the Legislature fails to pass it.
Rising energy prices are a familiar refrain to many in Wisconsin, where energy expenditures total $16 billion a year. A review of electricity price increases by the Journal Sentinel found residential customers across the state pay 39% to 70% more than they paid in 2001.
Advocates on both sides of the debate over the Clean Energy Jobs Act are raising fears about higher costs.
Opponents say utilities will have to invest billions of dollars in wind farms and other projects to comply with an aggressive renewable energy mandate proposed by the bill. Supporters say billions of dollars are at risk because of Wisconsin’s heavy reliance on coal.
A new analysis by the state Public Service Commission found that utility bills are likely to be less in 2025 if the bill passes and there’s a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system that penalizes coal.
Public Service Commission Chairman Eric Callisto testified at a recent hearing that power prices for a typical Wisconsin customer would fall nearly 7% if the bill is passed and there’s a $20-per-ton price on carbon. Prices would fall 1% if there’s a $10-per-ton price on carbon and would rise nearly 6.6% if there’s no carbon price, he said.
“But that’s not reality,” he said. “I don’t believe for a second that we’re going to see a future where carbon doesn’t have a price on it.”
In its studies over the last several years, the commission has been banking on the fact that there will be a price on carbon, he said.
Under that scenario, “there are dollars left on the table by the status quo,” Callisto said.
by jboullion | Feb 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
From the home page of Governor Doyle:
by jboullion | Feb 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
From the home page of Governor Doyle:
by jboullion | Feb 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Doyle:
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today awarded $500,000 in Recovery Act funds to communities moving toward a clean energy future. The Governor announced 11 grants totaling $500,000 to help 24 communities develop plans to reach his “25 by 25” energy independence goals.
“These grants will help Wisconsin communities across the state seize the opportunity to save money through energy efficiency and grow a strong new part of our economy in clean energy,” Governor Doyle said. “Through the Recovery Act, our communities will lead as the world moves rapidly in the direction of clean energy and energy efficiency. We spend $16 billion on fossil fuel energy every year in Wisconsin, and all those dollars are lost to our economy. By working toward these ambitious renewable energy goals, we will create good jobs and continue our state’s clean energy leadership.”
The grant program is funded through the Recovery Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The 24 communities will create “25×25” plans to meet the Governor’s goal of generating 25 percent of the state’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.
The 2010 Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership Pilots are: City of Altoona, Crawford County, City of Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, City of Fennimore, Village of Ferryville, Green Lake County, City of Gays Mills, City of Jefferson, City of Kaukauna, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Village of La Farge, City of Monona, Polk County, City of Prairie du Chien, Shawano County, Village of Soldiers Grove, Vernon County, Village of Viola, City of Viroqua, Waukesha County, and City of Whitewater.
The 25×25 plan process begins this month and will be completed by December 2010. During the process, opportunities will be available for other communities to learn from the experiences of the pilot communities. Open meetings on the topic will be held by the Office of Energy Independence during the months of April, August and December.
The program builds on Governor Doyle’s work to make Wisconsin a clean energy leader. Last month, Governor Doyle launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state’s green economy and create jobs.
