by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Vernon Electric Cooperative officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility serves approximately 10,000 members throughout Vernon County and portions of La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Sauk, Richland and Crawford counties.
“I welcome Vernon Electric Cooperative 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. “Vernon 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.”
Vernon Electric Cooperative 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 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a the first of two articles by Adam Wise in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune:
Note: This is the first of a two-part report on how the Wisconsin Rapids School District is spending money that residents approved in a 2006 referendum. The second story will appear Friday.
Wisconsin Rapids School District leaders plan to cope with rising utility costs by increasing energy efficiency with money approved through the referendum process.
A little more than two years ago, residents in the district approved a four-question, approximately $10 million referendum for building, technology and curriculum upgrades.
With most of the money — about $8.3 million — slated for district facilities, Buildings and Grounds Director Tom Helgestad and staff members developed a three-year plan to conduct a majority of the work during the district’s summer breaks.
As an example of the upgrades, Helgestad said the district achieved an almost 45 percent decrease in natural gas usage at Grove Elementary School after replacing the old heating system.
“Because of the age of the equipment, our infrastructure and heating systems were between 50 and 60 years old,” said Helgestad, specifically referring to Howe, Mead, and Grove elementary schools. “They were at the end of their life; parts were unavailable. We had to retrofit to keep things going.”
Wisconsin Rapids School Board members have been receiving periodic updates from Helgestad regarding the progress of the three-year plan.
“We’re actually going to be able to save even though the prices have gone up,” board member Mary Rayome said.
by jboullion | Dec 31, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a Business Journal interview with Ann Beier, Milwaukee’s director of environmental sustainability, conducted by Pete Millard:
1. Since your appointment just over two years ago, what’s been your most satisfying achievement?
“The most satisfying achievement has been the overall success of Mayor Barrett’s sustainability initiatives. I am also pleased with Milwaukee’s reputation as a ‘green’ city. Each year, Sustain Lane, a nonprofit group that provides information on sustainability practices for individuals, businesses and governments, ranks the 50 largest U.S. cities for their sustainability programs. In 2008, Milwaukee was ranked 12th. This a move up from 16th in the prior ranking. This is an important recognition and shows how well we are doing among much larger cities.
We’ve also been named by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of only 24 Solar American Cities, and we are working with the department to reduce barriers to installation of solar technology in Milwaukee.”
2. What are some specific examples illustrating how Milwaukee is more energy efficient today than two years ago?
“The mayor has directed city departments to reduce energy use by 15 percent over the period 2005-2012. By reducing our energy use, we are also reducing our carbon foot print and saving taxpayer dollars.
“We have focused on making our buildings more efficient. We’ve worked with Focus on Energy, the state’s energy efficiency program, to conduct audits of our highest energy-using buildings. We’ve implemented efficiency projects as a result of the audit findings. For the municipal building complex (City Hall, the municipal building and 809 Broadway building), we saved $35,000 in the first year and reduced energy use by 9 percent.
We are also converting stoplights to more efficient LED lights, reducing energy use for stoplights by about 50 percent annually. Another part of our strategy is to convert to cleaner fuels. We now fuel our diesel fleet with B-20 biodiesel fuel. We’ve also installed renewable energy in several facilities.”
by jboullion | Dec 22, 2008 | Uncategorized
A short article from the Stevens Point Journal:
More than 2,900 compact fluorescent light bulbs were distributed through the “CFL and Vote!” project by The Eco-Municipality of Stevens Point, Sustainable Stockton and the Commission for a Greener Tomorrow.
More than 700 people who received a free CFL had never used one before, and 565 people signed up to get the Central Wisconsin Sustainability Newsletter during this project.
by jboullion | Dec 16, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article article by Deneen Smith in the Kenosha News:
Shawn Henoch can’t wait for frigid weather and the first serious heating bills of winter.
“I’m really looking forward to January and February to see,” Henoch said. “Who is excited to get their electric bill? But I am.”
Henoch hired a company to do an energy efficiency overhaul of her 60-year-old Kenosha home this year. The work was completed in June, and she said she’s already seen a dramatic reduction in her energy bills and an improvement in the coziness-factor of her home.
The project sealed air leaks in the house, added insulation in the walls and ceiling, and replaced an old, inefficient furnace and air conditioner.
Before the overhaul, her typical winter heating bills were about $400 “and that was keeping my heat set at 67 or 68,” she said. “Now I can really keep my house at 72, and my last bill was, I think, $136.”
Learn more about an energy efficiency evaluaition at Focus on Energy.
