by jboullion | Jun 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by WPS:
Green Bay, WI – Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) recently received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to begin a pilot program to purchase electricity generated from agricultural biogas. In the pilot program, WPS will accept up to 10,000 kilowatts generated from new anaerobic digester operations (no more than 2,000 kilowatts from a single generator) within its service territory. The rate will encourage the development of this renewable resource which will allow WPS to better understand the costs and benefits associated with this type of power purchase, and at the same time provide environmental benefits.
Farmers interested in the program must sign a contract with WPS prior to January 1, 2013.
“Increasing the number of renewable resources is unquestionably good for the environment,” said Dennis Derricks, WPS Director of Electric Regulatory Policy. “This tariff is another way to partner with our agricultural customers to find solutions the benefit both parties.” Digesters help the farmers with solutions to dealing with vast amounts of waste, while the utility receives another source of renewable energy.
Derricks said WPS has several current digester operations within its territory and this new rate offers “another pricing option specifically for these types of operations.” Derricks said the existing contracts were fitted under tariffs not specifically designed for this application.
Farm digester operations sell power to the utility and then buy back what they need at regular rates for farm use.
The new rate is called PG-BioGas, is offered until December 31, 2012 (or until fully subscribed: 10 MW) and is in effect now. The maximum project cap is 2 MW, with an on-peak rate of approx. $0.106/kWh, an off-peak rate of approx. $0.061/kWh, which yields an effective (24 hour) rate of $0.0807/kWh. All environmental attributes from generation purchased under this rate will be claimed by WPS.
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a guest column by Wisconsin Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen in The Tomah Journal:
Legislators recently announced a substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act that will bring down consumer costs, create more than 16,000 jobs in the state and position Wisconsin to continue its leading role in clean energy production. Through the Clean Energy Jobs Act, we will create clean energy that works for Wisconsin and is made in Wisconsin. Our state does not pump a barrel of oil. We don’t have coal deposits or natural gas. Our energy costs n which amount to one out of every 10 dollars generated in Wisconsin n mean we send about $16 billion a year out of our state to pay for fuel and electricity.
Passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act is an enormous opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign fuels and make sure Wisconsin doesn’t lose out on this chance to create clean energy jobs to countries like China. The world is moving rapidly in this direction, and Wisconsin is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the growing clean energy market.
Especially when it comes to agriculture.
A key component of the recently announced substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act is incentives for the development of small-scale renewable energy projects, with a preference for manure digesters. Under the revised bill, $25 million in grants and loans will now be available per year for four years through an expanded Focus on Energy Program. That is a big step forward for rural Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a guest column by Wisconsin Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen in The Tomah Journal:
Legislators recently announced a substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act that will bring down consumer costs, create more than 16,000 jobs in the state and position Wisconsin to continue its leading role in clean energy production. Through the Clean Energy Jobs Act, we will create clean energy that works for Wisconsin and is made in Wisconsin. Our state does not pump a barrel of oil. We don’t have coal deposits or natural gas. Our energy costs n which amount to one out of every 10 dollars generated in Wisconsin n mean we send about $16 billion a year out of our state to pay for fuel and electricity.
Passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act is an enormous opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign fuels and make sure Wisconsin doesn’t lose out on this chance to create clean energy jobs to countries like China. The world is moving rapidly in this direction, and Wisconsin is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the growing clean energy market.
Especially when it comes to agriculture.
A key component of the recently announced substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act is incentives for the development of small-scale renewable energy projects, with a preference for manure digesters. Under the revised bill, $25 million in grants and loans will now be available per year for four years through an expanded Focus on Energy Program. That is a big step forward for rural Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Mar 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Chris Hubbuch in the La Crosse Tribune:
Wisconsin farmers have long known there’s money in manure, but extracting power was an option only for the biggest herds.
The state’s secretary of agriculture announced a $200,000 grant Friday to help a Tomah manufacturer develop a manure digester that could help small farms turn waste into electricity.
Though Wisconsin leads the nation in the agricultural use of anaerobic digesters, current technology — which requires on-site construction of concrete or steel structures — is best suited to farms with at least 1,000 animals.
USEMCO has developed a tank that makes it economical for farms with as few as 100 cows. The first model, which at peak production should generate enough electricity to power about 45 homes, will be tested on a 150-cow Chaseburg dairy.
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen said small-farm digesters could bolster the state’s manufacturing and agriculture industries while promoting clean energy.
If the test is successful, USEMCO president Pat Rezin expects the demand for digesters could mean 15 to 20 new jobs and an addition to his Tomah plant.
by jboullion | Mar 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Environmental Law & Policy Center:
A new report from the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) demonstrates how farmers and rural small businesses are making clean energy the newest cash crop. From a Pennsylvania syrup maker that cut its energy costs in half, to an Illinois dairy that generates electricity frommanure (using a Wisconsin company’s technology), to a Montana brewery that taps solar power, clean energy is improving the bottom line for rural America.
Farm Energy Success Stories highlights clean energy projects made possible with grants and loan guarantees from the Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The report cover highlights a Wisconsin solar project in Burlington, Wisconsin and another Wisconsin solar project in Oak Creek is highlighted as a Success Story. A previous report highlighted the manure digester at Five Star Dairy in Elk Mound.
Wisconsin has benefitted from this federal program due to our clean energy leadership, as other states struggle to compete. Wisconsin farmers and rural small businesses have received over $15 million (third highest) in funding under the program, with most awards being for manure digesters, helping to make Wisconsin the national leader for (planned) farm digester development.
However, even with REAP funding, many of these digesters have not yet been built because Wisconsin’s farmers often have trouble getting a fair deal from utilities for their clean “cow power.” The Clean Energy Jobs Act — as currently drafted prior to weakening amendments — would change that by providing fair Advanced Renewable Tariffs (a.k.a. “renewable energy buyback rates”) for farm energy projects statewide.
“With the help of farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses, America and Wisconsin can make great strides toward solving our energy problems.” said Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate for ELPC. “A strong Clean Energy Jobs Act can also create rural economic development, energy independence and a cleaner environment one farm at a time.”
