by jboullion | Oct 27, 2008 | Uncategorized
Govenor Doyle chatted during the dedication program with students from Lakeshore Technical College’s Wind Energy Technican program.
A report from Jeff Anthony of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA):
At the first wind project dedication ceremony for a major wind project in the state of Wisconsin in over seven years, Governor Jim Doyle (D) and other state government officials dedicated the Forward Wind Center in Brownsville, WI. Governor Doyle gave remarks at the ceremony on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Brownville Community Center, noting that “the project represents a clean energy milestone for Wisconsin, meaning greater energy security, better wages in green jobs, and clean air and water for generations to come”. He also emphasized that in the economic turbulence “clean energy future greater investment, more jobs, and more security at home”.
A global warming task force commissioned by Governor Doyle issued a report in August recommending that Wisconsin accelerate its Renewable Energy Standard targets, achieving 10% by 2013, 20% by 2020 and 25% by 2025. Governor Doyle also reiterated his intent to pass the enhanced RES in the 2009 legislative session to require state utilities to get 25% of their electricity from renewable energy such as the energy produced by the Forward Wind Center by the year 2015. He also called for the great manufacturing capabilities in Wisconsin to be directed towards clean energy technologies such as wind power as well.
Michael Polsky, President and CEO of Invenergy, welcomed an over-flowing crowd to the project dedication ceremony and described the benefits of wind power, saying “It just makes sense” from so many different perspectives, including energy security, long-term clean energy production, and environmental benefits. Tours were conducted throughout the afternoon by developer Invenergy, the project owner and operator. The output of the project is under contract to four Wisconsin utilizes: Madison Gas & Electric, Wisconsin Public Service, Wisconsin Power & Light (Alliant Energy), and Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. The Forward Wind Center consists of 86 General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines (for a total of 129 MW) covering 12,000 acres in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties in Southeastern Wisconsin. Commercial operations at the facility began in March 2008, the project is expected to produce enough energy to power 30,000 homes and avoid the burning of 187 million pounds of coal per year. The Forward wind project is one of four major wind projects schedule to come on-line in 2008, representing a major step forward for the state of Wisconsin.
More from an article by Aubrey Fleischer in The Reporter (Fond du Lac).
by jboullion | Oct 22, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Milwaukee Shines:
On Thursday, October 23rd, Milwaukee will host the fourth annual Solar Decade Conference at the Midwest Airlines Center, expected to draw 400 people. Sponsored by We Energies, Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, the conference will focus on reducing the informational, economic and procedural barriers to solar energy proliferation in the region.
“The benefits of solar energy are great,” said Mayor Tom Barrett, “Not only does solar energy provide power from a secure domestic source, promote sustainable urban development, and support greenhouse gas reduction targets, but advancing solar technology creates new economic opportunities for our residents and businesses.”
Also during the conference, Mayor Tom Barrett will accept a grant of $200,000 from Tom Kimbis, Director of Market Transformation for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program. Earlier this year, the City of Milwaukee was named one of America’s 25 Solar Cities by the Department of Energy because of its commitment to solar technology adoption. This grant was awarded at that time.
Roman Draba, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Policy at We Energies will present a matching grant also in the amount of $200,000.
The awards are intended to accelerate solar adoption in cities by supporting their innovative efforts with financial and technical assistance. Selected cities are those prepared to make a comprehensive, city-wide approach to solar technology that facilitates its mainstream adoption.
The Solar Decade Conference, open to the public, will feature “renowned industry experts as they discuss the benefits of solar energy for your home, business and career!”
by jboullion | Oct 21, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media advisory issued by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity:
Focus on Energy, along with a coalition of renewable energy organizations, have partnered with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in an effort to build sustainable and affordable homes by installing 11 solar hot water systems and nine photovoltaic systems on 20 Habitat homes. In celebration of the completed project, there will be an Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 from noon to 3 p.m. at 3022 N. 7th Street in Milwaukee.
The incorporation of solar technology on MHH homes was a pilot project which offered the unique opportunity to train future contractors in the solar industry by allowing them to gain hands-on experience. The goal was to help build a stronger solar base in the greater Milwaukee area and bring those in the industry together.
Future homeowners will be educated about how their systems work and will be enrolled in the We Energies buy-back program that will significantly reduce or eliminate their energy bills.
To learn more about Focus on Energy and its Renewable Energy Program, call (800) 762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.
by jboullion | Oct 20, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by SC Johnson:
RACINE, Wis., Oct 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Innovation isn’t just the hallmark of SC Johnson’s products, it’s also fundamental to how its products are made. That’s why when consumers reach for a can of Pledge(R) furniture polish produced with green energy, or a Ziploc(R) bag made with wind power, they can feel good knowing their purchase is from a company that’s doing what’s right for people and the planet.
In fact, one in every two U.S. households(1) is making a difference by using an SC Johnson product around their home, such as Windex(R), Pledge(R), Ziploc(R), Glade(R), Raid(R) or Scrubbing Bubbles(R), all of which are made using renewable energy. That’s nearly 57 percent of U.S. households — or 66.2 million families — making a difference when they buy SC Johnson products.
This important point of difference is highlighted in a new advertisement from SC Johnson, featuring company Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. The ad highlights the company’s innovative use of clean and efficient alternative energy sources at its manufacturing operations in Michigan and Wisconsin, and in Medan, Indonesia. “We’re reducing greenhouse gases all over the world,” Johnson says in the 30-second television spot airing in the United States. “So when you reach for Windex(R), Pledge(R), or any SC Johnson product, you can feel good about it.”
Among the alternative energy innovations highlighted in the ad are:
— SC Johnson’s use of wind power electricity for its Bay City, Michigan factory that produces Ziploc(R) brand products, a move that replaces almost half the factory’s annual purchase of coal-fired electricity and helps keep 29,500 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere annually.
— Its use of cogeneration turbines to produce green energy utilizing methane piped in from a local public landfill as well as natural gas. SC Johnson’s cogeneration turbines generate the entire average daily base-load electrical demand of its largest global plant, in Racine, Wisconsin.
— The company’s construction in Medan, Indonesia of an innovative burner/boiler system that runs on palm shells, the remaining waste of the palm oil industry. By transferring this former waste product into a fuel source, the system has cut greenhouse gas emissions at the Medan factory by more than 15 percent and reduced use of diesel fuel by 60 percent.
by jboullion | Oct 17, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Karen Herzog and Lee Berquist in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Will Allen was cutting heads of lettuce in a farm field when his cell phone rang.
The caller told him to put down his knife. He had good news:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, known for its annual award of “genius” grants, was giving Allen $500,000 — no strings attached.
Allen is not your typical farmer. He is the founder of Growing Power, a nonprofit farm in the middle of Milwaukee that raises fresh produce for underserved populations with high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The son of an illiterate laborer, Allen has been a leading figure in urban agriculture for a decade. Thanks to the growth of the local foods movement, and now the MacArthur fellowship, his approach of melding sustainable farming and mentoring kids is gaining broader attention.
At 6 feet 7 inches tall and 280 pounds, Allen is a former professional basketball player with the biceps of an NFL lineman.
He is not a table-pounder, but he is passionate about his long-held beliefs: Good food helps build healthy communities, and the costs of relying on food that travels long distances have become too great.
“You have to figure out how to grow food closer to where people live,” Allen, 59, said in an interview in his office crammed with boxes of yellow tomatoes and bags of greens.
“We are in a worldwide food crisis and worldwide energy crisis.”
