by jboullion | May 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
From statements issued by three groups in opposition to Assembly Bill 146:
“Clearly, this bill is a drastic step in the wrong direction for our state. The Wisconsin Energy Business Association therefore opposes this attack on renewable energy in our state.” – Wisconsin Energy Business Association. Full statement.
We strongly recommend that this bill not be approved as it solves no known problem in Wisconsin and seeks only to roll-back policies on renewable energy that have served the state well and are otherwise benefitting Wisconsin residents with cleaner air and lower prices for electricity. – Wind on the Wires. Full statement.
Fresh attack on Wisconsin voters’ desire for a renewable energy standard would kill wind projects and sap state’s economy, say wind energy advocates – American Wind Energy Association. Full statement.
by jboullion | May 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
From statements issued by three groups in opposition to Assembly Bill 146:
“Clearly, this bill is a drastic step in the wrong direction for our state. The Wisconsin Energy Business Association therefore opposes this attack on renewable energy in our state.” – Wisconsin Energy Business Association. Full statement.
We strongly recommend that this bill not be approved as it solves no known problem in Wisconsin and seeks only to roll-back policies on renewable energy that have served the state well and are otherwise benefitting Wisconsin residents with cleaner air and lower prices for electricity. – Wind on the Wires. Full statement.
Fresh attack on Wisconsin voters’ desire for a renewable energy standard would kill wind projects and sap state’s economy, say wind energy advocates – American Wind Energy Association. Full statement.
by jboullion | May 18, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Bobby Tanzilo on OnMilwaukee.com:
There are always exciting things going on in Milwaukee Public Library’s Downtown Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. But, these days, there is also some excitement on the building’s roof, too.
When the library needed to replace its 25-year-old roof last year, instead of going for a conventional roof, a 30,000-square foot green roof was constructed and 132 solar electric panels were added to generate about 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. That’s enough to power four homes annually.
“Everyone’s very enthused about it,” says the library’s public services manager Christine Arkenberg, on a recent visit that begins on the library’s first floor, where there is an area dedicated to the green roof initiative.
There, visitors can see books about green issues, view explanatory materials, see a monitor with status updates on how much electricity is being generated, watch a video screen slide show and pick up brochures.
by jboullion | May 17, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Stevens Point Journal:
ROTHSCHILD — We Energies said Monday it will move forward with the engineering and equipment orders for a planned biomass plant in Rothschild, a company spokesman said.
The decision came several days after state regulators from the Public Service Commission gave final approval to the $255 million project with orders that Milwaukee-based utility We Energies and Domtar Corp. come up with another $10 million either from the utility’s shareholders or the paper company.
More from Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
by jboullion | May 16, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Plans are proceeding for Milwaukee to erect a 154-foot tall wind turbine this summer next to the Port Authority building near the Hoan Bridge.
The stimulus-funded project would generate more than enough electricity to power the port office building and sell a small amount of power back to the grid.
Some Bay View residents had raised concerns about a different alternative for the project, which would have been closer to the lake, next to the Lake Express ferry terminal.
A community meeting about the project attracted hundreds of people on a snowy evening in January. At that time, about one-third of those in attendance were in favor, another third were opposed and another third were seeking more information, said Ald. Tony Zielinski.
Zielinski said he was pleased that a compromise could be reached to address concerns about the original site.
The location by the Port Administration building, 2323 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive, is an improvement, Zielinski said, for “people who were fearful of the detrimental effect on the aesthetics of the lakefront by virtue of having it so close to the lake.”
Other concerns had been raised about the other site, which would have put up a turbine or several small turbines on a confined disposal facility next to the Lake Express car ferry terminal.
“We received a lot of push back primarily because of public trust doctrine issues and the impact on waterfowl and migratory birds in that area,” said Matt Howard, director of the city’s office of environmental sustainability.
Public trust concerns were raised about whether a wind turbine would be an appropriate use of land on the lakefront site.
“They listened well and took that to heart in the planning for this alternate site,” said Aaron Schultz, spokesman for the Lake Express ferry.
The turbine is aimed to be a demonstration of the city’s commitment to renewable energy, Howard said.
“This seems to be a good compromise position. The wind profile is still great at that site, and we’re still looking at being able to generate between 110% and 150% of that building’s energy needs,” he said.
