by jboullion | Jan 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (January 14, 2009) – With the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, Ball Corporation has completed a number of energy saving improvements and upgrades at its Wisconsin plants in Milwaukee, DeForest and Watertown.
The changes made in Ball’s three plants are expected to provide $560,636 in savings annually due to reduced energy consumption. Ball received $431,181 in cash incentives through Focus on Energy in 2008 to boost its efforts toward becoming more energy efficient.
“Ball Corporation has made a huge investment in its Wisconsin facilities,” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “By making energy management a priority in its business plan, Ball Corporation will reduce its energy use, experience cost savings and benefit the environment for years to come.”
“These projects were part of our ongoing sustainability program,” explained Doug Barndt, principle energy-demand engineer for Ball. “Focus on Energy was very straightforward and easy to work with, and the incentives they provided were an important catalyst in making lasting, meaningful changes in our Wisconsin operations.”
The Milwaukee facility, which manufactures two-piece beverage and food cans, received the majority of incentive funds for projects that will reduce energy consumption by 2,523,540 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 470,875 therms of natural gas annually – enough energy to power 738 homes for a year.
The biggest energy saver was an innovative heat recovery system that captures waste heat from its regenerative thermal oxidizer and uses it to supply preheated water to the boiler of its heating system. The plant also installed new energy management controls for its HVAC system and replaced nearly 600 light fixtures with high efficiency models.
by jboullion | Jan 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility serves approximately 850 customers in Juneau County.
“I welcome New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Jan 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative has announced that Clark Electric Cooperative officially became a program member as of Jan. 1.
The utility serves about 8,800 customers in Clark, Chippewa, Jackson, Marathon, Taylor and Wood counties.
“Clark Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions,” said Eric Callisto, chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the Focus on Energy program.
Clark Electric will participate in the business, residential and renewable energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. Benefits of participating include:
• Business programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort.
• Wisconsin Energy Star Homes, a program that helps homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements in their remodeling projects.
• Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of Energy Star-qualified products, ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment.
• Renewable energy programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
by jboullion | Jan 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Northland College and posted on BusinessNorth.com:
ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College is taking another step to reduce its environmental impact by no longer offering trays in its cafeteria.
In the fall semester, the College began Tray-less Tuesdays, an initiative that saved 138 gallons of water each Tuesday by not offering trays to students. Now, Northland is extending the policy for the other six days of the week.
“We estimate we ran 828 fewer trays through the dish machine on Tuesdays” said Jeff Spangenberg, the director of food service at Northland. Because a tray takes twice as much space in the dishwashing machines as a plate, eliminating them is a simple but effective way to reduce the environmental impact of food service.
In addition to saving water, energy, dish soap and time, the policy also will cut down on food waste. By only using a plate, and going back to the buffet for seconds if necessary, students are less likely to over-estimate their appetites and take food they won’t eat. When Viterbo University went tray-less in 2007, they eliminated nearly three tons of food waste in two semesters. While Northland has fewer mouths to feed, the results are still expected to be significant.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – (January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility, located in Ellsworth, Wis., serves approximately 6,500 electric members throughout most of Pierce County and portions of Pepin, St. Croix and Buffalo counties.
“I welcome Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services’ decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
