by jboullion | Apr 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
An article from The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
Kohl’s Corp. now get more than 50 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources, enough to rank it the third-largest buyer of “green” power in the country, according to federal officials.
The Menomonee Falls-based department store chain moved up in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership list of the top 50 buyers of green power from eighth in 2008. Kohl’s more than doubled its annual usage of power from renewable sources to 601 million kilowatt-hours from 236 million a year ago, the EPA said Monday.
Kohl’s trails fellow Fortune 500 companies Intel Corp. (1.3 billion kWh) and PepsiCo (1.14 billion kWh) on the list. Kohl’s is the top ranked retail company. Retailer Whole Foods Market (527 million kWh) ranked fifth on the list behind Dell Inc. (553.7 million kWh).
Kohl’s purchases of green power includes energy from such sources as solar, wind and landfill gas. According to the EPA, Kohl’s green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding carbon dioxide emissions of more than 79,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 60,000 average American homes annually.
Ranking 37th on the list of the top 50 green power purchasers was the state of Wisconsin (92.4 million kWh). The state is buying biomass, solar and wind generated power from state utilities Madison Gas & Electric, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. No other Wisconsin-based concern made the EPA’s 2009 list.
by jboullion | Apr 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Daykin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
An industrial facility that would collect wood waste and other biomass and use it to make wood pellets and natural gas has been proposed for the Port of Milwaukee.
The renewable-energy facility would be operated by Waters’ New Biotech Inc., a Pewaukee start-up led by Edward L. Waters.
The Common Council’s Public Works Committee on Wednesday is to review a proposal to lease 3.7 acres on the Port’s south harbor to Waters’ New Biotech. The company would pay $85,100 annually for 15 years, according to the lease proposal.
The firm would demolish some city-owned buildings to make way for the facility and would receive rent credits to cover $116,000 in estimated demolition costs, the proposal said.
Waters’ New Biotech plans to convert wood waste into wood pellets that can be burned as fuel, said Eric Reinelt, port director.
The development would include a gasification facility, with natural gas produced as a byproduct, he said.
by jboullion | Apr 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Quality of Life Alliance:
This Thursday, Joint Finance will be taking up the issue of the Regional Transit Authority for Southeastern Wisconsin. It is widely speculated that there are not enough votes for it to pass as proposed by Governor Doyle. Instead of leaving out all hope of an RTA in this budget, Quality of Life Alliance urges members of Joint Finance to allow for the start of a single County RTA in Milwaukee.
“Instituting the 1% sales tax for Milwaukee County that passed by referendum in November would provide the source of funding needed for a Milwaukee County RTA and could easily accommodate a broader RTA when it is created,” commented County Supervisor Chris Larson, Quality of Life Alliance spokesperson. “Please give us something we can build off of.”
“For the sake of our future, we are asking the Joint Finance Committee to include in the next State budget what the citizens of Milwaukee County have already approved: a one percent sales tax increase that will provide property tax relief and sustainable, dedicated funding for Parks, Transit and EMS,” added Jim Goulee, QLA member.
by jboullion | Apr 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Jim Leute on GazetteXtra.xom (Janesville):
JANESVILLE — The wind blows and the sun shines across state lines.
And the Great Lakes lap the shores of eight states, not just Wisconsin.
Renewable energy can play a critical role in the economic resuscitation of the Midwest, but only if communities, counties and states are willing to shed the traditions of their parochial past.
“The place to begin is to think across borders in terms of infrastructure, taxation, planning and education,” said Richard Longworth, author of “Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism.”
Published in 2008, Longworth’s book paints a grim picture of the Midwest’s losing battle with foreign competition. The former chief foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune has become a popular speaker in Midwestern communities—large and small—that are withering away.
Thursday, Longworth was in Janesville as the keynote speaker for an “Opportunities in Renewable Energy Summit.” Wednesday, he’ll be back in town to speak at a Professional Development Day at Blackhawk Technical College.
Longworth said the Midwest rested much too comfortably on its roots in agriculture and heavy industry manufacturing. The Industrial Age, he said, was very good to the Midwest, but it’s over, and the area is now a global backwater.
“The Midwest did two things really well, and globalization has tossed them both into the air,” he said. “We’re not coping with that very well …
“This sense of splendid isolation is one we can no longer afford.”
Regional collaboration, particularly in attracting emerging renewable energy industries, will help the resource-rich Midwest compete in a global economy, said Longworth, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and distinguished visiting scholar at DePaul University.
by jboullion | Apr 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
A news release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
Any commuter in Wisconsin who would like to find someone to “share the ride” to work, may now access the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT’s) interactive ride matching service online. A program that was originated several years ago for residents of the heavily populated southeastern region of the state is now available statewide.
“We are pleased to offer this interactive service to commuters across the state,” said WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi. “Ridesharing saves money for commuters, reduces the number of cars on the road during the busiest hours of the day and reduces pollution from car exhaust. Now, commuters in areas that are faced with some of the longest commutes will have an equal opportunity to find carpool matches.”
Karen Schmiechen, program manager for the Wisconsin Rideshare Program, said the program is easy to use, free and without obligation. Commuters enter their commute information and immediately receive matches for carpooling, vanpooling, park and ride lots and even biking. The computer shows matches with similar commutes and work hours. Bikers are also matched by level of expertise. Users make their own contacts with matches to set up ridesharing arrangements.
The program was computerized two years ago, and has become so popular WisDOT decided to make it available to all state residents.
Wisconsin is one of many states and municipalities across the country offering this service. As gasoline prices fluctuate, and the economy remains unstable, ridesharing is a viable alternative, saving dollars and the environment.
For more information go to the state’s Rideshare Web site.
