by jboullion | May 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Larry Sandler in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Wisconsin was shut out Monday in its bid for $150 million in federal money to upgrade the Milwaukee-to-Chicago Hiawatha line.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 22 projects in 15 states would share $2 billion in federal high-speed rail money that had been rejected by Florida.
Wisconsin was seeking some of that money for train sets, locomotives and a maintenance base for the Hiawatha line. But while LaHood’s announcement listed $268.2 million for five other Midwestern states that had joined Wisconsin in the application, it made no mention of the Badger State.
Officials at the state and federal transportation departments confirmed that no money would be awarded to Wisconsin. The federal agency had previously yanked an $810 million grant to this state after newly elected Gov. Scott Walker refused to use it to extend the Hiawatha from Milwaukee to Madison, a 110-mph stretch that would have been part of a larger plan to connect Chicago to the Twin Cities and other Midwestern destinations with fast, frequent trains.
In a telephone news conference, LaHood did not directly answer a question about whether Monday’s decision was related to Walker’s previous stand, which reversed 20 years of planning by predecessor administrations of both parties. But he repeatedly used the word “reliable” in characterizing the leadership of the states that were selected for the latest round of grants.
“The announcements we’re making today are with the strongest partners in America,” LaHood told reporters. “These are reliable people. These are people (who) have as one of their highest priorities the development of high-speed rail.”
Walker is a Republican, as are the newly elected Florida and Ohio governors who also rejected federally funded rail projects. LaHood is a former GOP congressman serving in Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration. But several of the states that won high-speed rail grants Monday are led by Republican governors, including Indiana, where Walker has cited Gov. Mitch Daniels as a role model.
by jboullion | May 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Stevens Point Journal:
ROTHSCHILD — State regulators indicated support of construction plans for a biomass plant in Rothschild on Friday, a major step in a lengthy and often contentious debate over a $255 million project backed by Milwaukee utility We Energies and Domtar Paper.
Two members of the state’s Public Service Commission pushed for and received more concessions from the project’s sponsors, concerned that the utility’s ratepayers still are taking the biggest risk. We Energies and Domtar either can contribute $10 million more toward operating costs or increase the rate Domtar will pay for steam produced by the plant.
The PSC also will have the authority to review future changes to the rate Domtar pays We Energies for steam, which is used in its paper-making process.
The plant is part of We Energies’ effort to meet the state’s renewable energy requirements for utilities by 2015, buoyed by federal tax credits available to facilities that are operational by the end of 2013. We Energies has promised the project will create about 400 construction jobs and 150 jobs in Central Wisconsin for industries supporting the plant, and Domtar argues the change will allow them to compete in an increasingly testy paper industry.
by jboullion | May 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Pay attention to this number.
$4.39.
That was the price of regular unleaded gasoline at a station on Milwaukee’s south side on Tuesday. It’s a number that’s likely to rise. It’s also a number that Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature are so far ignoring as they put together a budget that does much for roads and highway funding but threatens to gut public transit systems across the state.
On Tuesday, the Legislature’s budget committee took another step backward on transit when it voted to repeal authority for four regional transit authorities created in 2009. One of those would have been responsible for a commuter rail line connecting Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee.
Keep in mind that Walker’s budget also cuts aid to transit by 10%, moves transit aid from the state transportation fund to the general revenue budget and bars municipalities from raising taxes to make up for the loss in aid. By repealing the RTAs, the budget also removes another tool – a cooperative one – that local communities could have used to help them deal with the loss of funding.
The committee also voted to eliminate a $100 million bonding program for capital transit projects in southeastern Wisconsin and to eliminate all state funding – $5 million over two years – for bike and pedestrian paths.
Why does this matter? Several reasons, but let’s talk about just two.
First, there are people without cars who rely on transit to get them to jobs, appointments, shopping and friends. Some can’t afford a vehicle; others prefer not to have one. Having a car should not be a requirement for living in urban areas such as Milwaukee, Madison, Racine and Waukesha. Giving people options that include transit as well as good roads make those areas more attractive for economic development.
Second, as gas prices continue to rise, many commuters are looking for alternatives to driving to their jobs. In a recent informal and unscientific poll by the Editorial Board, a slight majority of respondents said that a $4-per-gallon price for gasoline would be enough to make them change their driving habits.
by jboullion | May 4, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a story on WHOTV.com, Des Moines:
A wind energy plant wants to bring jobs to Iowa
A Maryland-based company is making plans to employ 175 people at a new plant in Iowa City. North American Ductile Iron Company will initially focus on making parts for the wind turbine market.
The $85-million project is subject to state and city review. The company hopes to begin operation by 2013.
by jboullion | May 4, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a story on WHOTV.com, Des Moines:
A wind energy plant wants to bring jobs to Iowa
A Maryland-based company is making plans to employ 175 people at a new plant in Iowa City. North American Ductile Iron Company will initially focus on making parts for the wind turbine market.
The $85-million project is subject to state and city review. The company hopes to begin operation by 2013.
