by jboullion | Aug 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (August 11, 2009) – Governor Jim Doyle today urged Wisconsin Rapids homeowners to take advantage of Recovery-funded projects and sign up for free energy inspections by young workers in an Energy Advocate project led by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
“These young workers can help you save on your utility bills and conserve energy,” Governor Doyle said. “During their visit, they can install free energy saving devices such as a low-flow showerhead. Wisconsin is receiving more than $141 million for weatherization under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Our energy advocates can help you take an important, first step to big savings.”
The project is one of many ARRA-funded efforts that will employ approximately 4,000 Wisconsin young adults statewide through June 2011. With federal ARRA funds, Governor Doyle provided 25 individuals, 18 to 24 years of age, employment in “green jobs,” while also helping homeowners cut utility bills, save money and conserve energy.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has partnered with the DWD and the Northcentral WI Workforce Development Board, to offer Together We Save-a summer program dedicated to helping residents in select communities save energy and money at home.
Wisconsin Rapids is one of five cities chosen for the Energy Advocate project. These five cities were selected based on high unemployment, predominantly older homes and many young people seeking jobs. The ARRA-funded project provides for five energy advocates in each community for the Together We Save effort. . . .
Participation is limited
Together We Save presents homeowners a limited-time opportunity to save energy and money with energy efficient improvements that are good for them, their families, and the environment. Interested residents are encouraged to learn more about the program and schedule their home energy audits by calling (715) 459-2547.
by jboullion | Aug 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article posted on Envrionmental Leader:
When it comes to investing in energy efficiency, hospitals and health care facilities should not sit on the sidelines, because some of the low-hanging fruits offer savings that pay for themselves in as little as two to three years. . . .
Gundersen Lutheran, in La Crosse, Wis., last year conducted an audit to look for quick fixes, said Jerry Arndt, Senior Vice President of Business Services.
“The most responsible thing you can do is reduce the amount of energy you need,” Arndt said. “So we looked in-house for improvements before we looked at renewables.”
Jeff Rich, Executive Director of Gundersen Lutheran, said the best time to do an audit is on the weekend.
“We found all sorts of things that were on or running that didn’t need to be running,” Rich said. “We had 300 exhaust fans around the building, many of which can be turned off for 12 hours a day. But they were running all the time.”
As another area of improvement, the audit found that 60 percent of the hospital’s energy went toward producing steam. So the hospital replaced and repaired steam traps to improve efficiency.
The hospital also applied for grants to replace light bulbs, a move that helps achieve $280,000 in annualized saving. Grants were provided by Focus on Energy, a Wisconsin government effort, through utilities.
by jboullion | Jul 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Department of Workforce Developing announcing a green jobs project in five Wisconsin cities, including Wisconsin Rapids:
. . .Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced a Wisconsin American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) project employing young adults in “green jobs” to help homeowners cut utility bills, saving money and energy.
“With this Recovery-funded pilot, we are employing young adults in ‘green jobs,’ opening the door to career opportunities,” Secretary Gassman said. “We are helping homeowners save money and conserve energy while protecting our environment.”
On behalf of Governor Doyle, Secretary Gassman officially unveiled the ARRA-funded “Energy Advocate Youth Pilot” at the home of DeCarlos and Michelle Nora in Beloit’s Merrill Neighborhood. As part of the announcement, she accompanied five “energy advocates,” as they inspected the young couple’s home and suggested ways to make the house more energy efficient. . . .
With federal ARRA funds, Governor Doyle provided for the employment of 25 individuals, who are 18 to 24 years of age, from low-income households, and meet one of six other criteria for disadvantaged youth. The project is one of many ARRA-funded efforts that will employ approximately 4,000 Wisconsin young adults statewide through June 2011.
Besides Beloit, five energy advocates will work in each of the following cities: Green Bay, Racine, Superior and Wisconsin Rapids, communities with high unemployment, predominantly older homes, and many young people seeking jobs. In June, Beloit had the highest unemployment rate, 18.6 percent. Milwaukee has a similar, independent project.
For more information about Wisconsin ARRA efforts, visit: http://recovery.wisconsin.gov
For more information about WECC’s Focus on Energy initiative, visit: http://www.focusonenergy.com
by jboullion | Jul 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a special project description of HomeEnergy+:
As part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Wisconsin Department of Administration received $141 million for weatherization programs for low and moderate income families. These Recovery funds will help expand the current weatherization program as well as fund a new initiative to weatherize 3,000 units in large multifamily buildings.
Owners of residential multifamily buildings are encouraged to apply for the Large Multifamily Weatherization Recovery Project if their building meets the following criteria:
· Twenty or more residential dwelling units in one structure
· Two-thirds of the tenants have an income at or below 60% of the state median income
Buildings selected for the project could receive heating system replacement, ventilation, insulation, reduction of air leakage and refrigerator replacement.
by jboullion | Jul 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
Dave Jenkins, mentioned in the news release issued by Governor Doyle, will speak in the Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Pavilion at the Wisconsin Machine Tool Show:
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin has been approved for $28 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal funds for its State Energy Program (SEP). The funds are the first part of the $55 million in Recovery Act funding the state is receiving for this program. . . .
Projects must create or retain jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel use, and/or deploy renewable energy.
Applications and program information will be available at the Commerce website: http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-SEP-ARRA.html
For more information on the SEP, contact Amy Cumblad at Commerce, amy.cumblad@wisconsin.gov; or David Jenkins at the Office of Energy Independence, davidj.jenkins@wisconsin.gov.
