by jboullion | Jul 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tim Ryan from the Shawano Leader:
City officials Wednesday approved a resolution showing support for Gov. Jim Doyle’s goal of moving toward renewable energy, but not before several Common Council members expressed some reservations.
The resolution states the city is “committed to advancing the state of Wisconsin’s vision for energy independence by replacing 25 percent of the city of Shawano’s buildings and operations electricity use and 25 percent of its transportation fuels from renewable energy by 2025.”
Aldermen Brian Retzlaff and John Hoeffs voted against the resolution.
“Our governor took $45,000 away from us (in shared revenue) and increased our (landfill) tipping fees,” Retzlaff said. “I have a hard time supporting this when our governor actually is being two-faced with us.”
City Administrator Jim Stadler said the resolution was intended only as a show of support for the governor’s energy goals, not necessarily the governor, and could help the city in applying for renewable energy grants.
“This resolution will gain for the city some points in grantsmanship,” Stadler said.
The city previously voted to hire a consultant, at a cost of $5,000, to help apply for a potential $225,000 in renewable energy grant money.
by jboullion | Jul 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Focus on Energy:
Join Focus on Energy at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair! The Northern Wisconsin State Fair offers a nostalgic atmosphere, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the park-like setting filled with clean, safe, hometown hospitality. Stop by the Focus on Energy booth in the Fine Arts Building and talk to the experts about energy efficiency in your home and business.
by jboullion | Jun 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
Come relax with friends and make some new ones as we get together and discuss environmental issues that are important to YOU at Eau Claire’s first ever Green Drinks. Green Drinks is an opportunity for folks interested in “green” environmental issues to come together over drinks and conversations to find out what interesting things are going on in the Chippewa Valley. Green Drinks is unique because there is no agenda, there are no dues, there’s no board of directors – it’s just a social opportunity for people to come together and talk with other like-minded environmentalists about ideas, events, and issues going on around our community.
A common sentiment often heard in the local environmental community is that there is no clearinghouse of information regarding environmental issues. Green Drinks has already successfully served Wisconsin communities as a place to share ideas in La Crosse, Madison, and Green Bay – it’s time to add Eau Claire to that list!
Green Drinks Eau Claire
Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month
6:30-8:OOPM
Haymarket Grill
101 Graham Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
If you have any questions or ideas please email Tom Stolp or call 715-835-4248. For directions or more information on the Haymarket Grill visit http://www.haymarketgrill.com
by jboullion | Jun 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a letter to the editor of The Capital Times on June 11 by Scott Ribin:
Dear Editor: I’m writing in regard to recent letters about wind energy in Wisconsin. In my opinion, one of the best reasons to use more wind energy is that it will strengthen our economy.
First, using wind power will allow us to stop importing fossil fuels from out-of-state sources, which will lead to the creation of thousands of in-state middle-class manufacturing jobs, an area hit hard by the recent recession.
Second, constructing wind farms is also more cost-effective than building new coal or nuclear power plants because they have a greater direct impact on the local economy.
Third, northeastern Wisconsin is one of the best areas in the country to construct and place turbines because of its wind strength and speeds. This area already has a well-developed manufacturing base that is eager to thrive under a renewable revolution.
Wind power also will lower health care spending. Fossil fuel use is directly related to rising asthma and lung cancer prevalence rates. This especially occurs in lower-income families without insurance, further increasing health care costs.
by jboullion | Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
Wind energy is surging in popularity because it spurs economic development and benefits the environment. An organized, vocal minority opposes wind energy development. However, the real world experience of successful wind energy development reaffirms the near universal support for wind energy. In fact, wind energy remains popular in areas of Wisconsin faced with siting challenges.
• A poll of voters in the Evansville Water and Light service area showed that 76% support wind power for the area, with less than 6% in opposition. Similar results were found in the Town of Union, with 72% supporting a wind project in the Town, and just 8% against.1
• A poll of voters in Calumet County overwhelmingly favored building new wind farms in the County. A full 70% of voters supported building new wind farms, including a plurality (45%) of voters living near the proposed projects.2
• In 2008, the U.S. wind industry installed 8,358 MW of new generating capacity, enough to serve over 2 million homes. The nation’s wind power generating capacity grew by 50%, and represents an investment of $17 billion into the economy.3
• The U.S. market for small wind turbines – those with capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) and less – grew 78% in 2008. U.S. manufacturers sold about half of all small wind turbines installed worldwide last year. U.S. market share amounted to $77 million of the $156 million global total.4
• There are over 120 Gigawatts5 of wind turbines installed worldwide, and since 2005, global wind generation capacity has more than doubled. Currently, 76 countries are using commercial wind energy.6
• The U.S. military uses wind turbines to reduce fuel costs and the need for fuel shipments in dangerous areas.7
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1 “Evansville Area Public Opinion Survey on Wind Power.” April 29, 2008
2 “Wind Farms in Calumet County.” October 18, 2007
3 http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/wind_energy_growth2008_27Jan09.html
4 http://awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Reports_Small_Wind_Market_Growth_052809.html
5 1 Gigawatt = 1 billion watts.
6 http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2008_s.pdf
7 http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0907/p01s04-usmi.html
