by jboullion | Jun 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by George Leopold and video posted on EE Times:
CUSTER, Wis. — With the U.S. economy still in the tank and the ranks of the unemployed still growing, many visitors to this year’s Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s Energy Fair came here looking for work or a career change.
Engineers and other professionals flocked to sessions on subjects like “green-collar careers” at the 20th annual event in this bucolic central Wisconsin community. Renewable energy experts stressed the job-creating potential of emerging solar, wind and other alternative energy sources.
Meanwhile, vendors, mindful of the still-high up front costs for renewable energy systems, emphasized what they claimed is the shrinking time needed to recoup the cost of investment in new energy systems.
Workshops were heavy on the nuts and bolts of renewable energy, ranging from how to become a certified installer to the latest building codes and tax exemptions for energy-efficent homes and retrofits. Much of the discussion here was driven by Obama administration plans to pour billions of dollars into renewable energy programs aimed specifically at creating green jobs.
Job seekers were told they should have an intergrated set of professional skills covering electrical, electronics and even plumbing. One expect, Jason La Fleur of the green energy education group Eco Achievers, estimated that 110,000 solar energy installers will be needed over the next year.
Solar installation tops a growing list of green jobs that La Fleur said includes “eco-preneurs,” urban planners and sustainable systems managers. Engineers already possess many of the skills needed to fill these new jobs, he added.
by jboullion | May 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Liz Welter in The Stevens Point Journal:
MARSHFIELD — A ranch-style home under construction in Marshfield’s Prairie Run subdivision will be central Wisconsin’s first verified “green-built” home.
“That means it meets the national standards for green building and it will be certified” during different steps in the construction process, said Jeff Redetzke, owner of JR Builders of Marshfield, which is constructing the house.
“A green-built home is a good value for a home buyer,” Redetzke said. Using geothermal energy cuts a natural gas bill by 50 percent to 70 percent, he said.
There are a multitude of components considered and used in building a home that maximizes energy efficiency while diminishing its carbon impact on the Earth, Redetzke said.
“We try to use materials that will last for 50 years and are recyclable afterwards. Like a metal roof is very green. It lasts for the life of the house and later can be recycled,” he said.
Geothermal energy and other energy efficiency building standards are practices embraced by the developers and owners of Prairie Run, said Dan Helwig, one of the development’s owners.
“We’re just totally excited. This is the kind of home that hasn’t been seen in this marketplace,” Helwig said.
Prairie Run was conceived to utilize green or sustainable concepts in developing the site and in building a variety of homes and businesses, Helwig said.
“I’ve wanted to do something like this, and Prairie Run is the right place,” Redetzke said.
by jboullion | Feb 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) offers workshops that cover a variety of topics in renewable energy (solar, wind, and more). See the course workshops page for a listing of all of the workshops and to register Click here.
by jboullion | Jan 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
Presented by the Energy Center of Wisconsin
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Lodge at Cedar Creek
805 Creske Avenue
Rothschild, WI 54474
715.241.6300
Agenda
11:30 am—Registration & Lunch
12:00 noon—Presentation
1:00 pm—Question & Answer
1:30 pm—Adjourn
Media coverage around energy and environmental issues exploded over the past year. Sustainability considerations factor into more business decisions as companies green their supply chains and roll out new, eco-friendly products. Major policy initiatives at the federal and state level in Wisconsin will help push what has been called “the green industrial revolution.” What does all this mean for economic development here in Wisconsin? What opportunities should you be considering in your business planning? What are the benefits of greener choices at work and at home? Join us for a lively look at top trends in sustainable business-and discuss cost savings, brand enhancement and the policy climate to help you position your company for new opportunity.
Register here.
by jboullion | Dec 5, 2008 | Uncategorized
“Pragmatic Construction is building two sustainable homes in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee. These homes are targeting LEED-H Platinum certification,” including passaive solar design and options of solar hotwater and solar electricity, according to its Web site which calls the company a “green design-build firm specializing in the integration of multiple green principles and technologies.”
