by jboullion | Aug 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article in Brookfield Now by Aaron Martin:
But supporters laud vision for balanced travel system
Is it high-speed rail or a runaway freight train?
That depends who you ask, but Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials had their hands full Tuesday night fielding fevered questions from about 170 people who attended a forum on the proposed $8 billion initiative to connect Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and the Twin Cities.
Brookfield is one of three communities on the Madison-Milwaukee line targeted to host a passenger station. A $17.9 million station is proposed to be along Brookfield Road, near River Road, in Brookfield’s Village Area.
Donna Brown, DOT passenger rail planning manager, said environmental studies for the stations will soon be completed. The next step is final station site selection, followed by engineering and design. Construction could begin as soon as January, and the rail could be up and running in 2013.
The DOT anticipates 128,611 people would pass through Brookfield’s station in its first year, and more than 145,000 by 2020. A ticket from Brookfield to Madison would cost $70 roundtrip, and a ticket to Chicago would cost $97.
Charlie Webb of the DOT said early estimates indicate it would cost about $30,000 a year to maintain a station in Brookfield.
“That’s snow removal, cleanup around the station, mowing the grass,” he said. “Certainly there are opportunities for the city to offset that.”
Strong opposition
Patti Mealins of West Allis said federal and state finances are out of control, and the high-speed rail initiative would be a good place to rein in spending.
“I just don’t understand. It’s a waste of taxpayer money, and it’s upsetting. I think most people are against it, but the government doesn’t care. We’re going to get it anyway,” Mealins said.
Many other people who milled about the Brookfield Elementary School gym, reading information off large poster boards and talking with DOT officials, seemed to share Mealins’ frustration.
Someone left a note on a photograph of the proposed rail route that read: “Not with my tax money – use private money. We don’t need the train.”
by jboullion | Aug 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Rick Barrett in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
An all-electric version of the Daimler-Benz Smart car has come to Milwaukee, with a limited number of vehicles available for lease starting in October.
The Smart Fortwo electric is the same size as the two-seater Smart car that’s powered by a gasoline engine.
With a standard 220-volt appliance line, you could charge the Smart electric’s lithium-ion batteries to full capacity in eight hours and drive about 80 miles before the battery pack had to be recharged.
Don’t expect neck-snapping performance. The top speed is 62 miles per hour, but the car has a “kick down” mode similar to a passing gear when you floor the gas pedal of a regular automobile.
The Smart electric uses a 30-kilowatt electric motor that generates the equivalent of about 42-horsepower, compared with a 70-horse power gasoline engine in a regular Smart car that uses premium gas and has a top speed of about 90 mph.
Made in France, the Smart electric will make its U.S. debut this fall. Only 250 vehicles will be available, nationwide, for a lease of $599 per month for 48 months. The price takes into account a $7,500 tax credit, which will go to Smart.
Starting in 2012, Daimler-Benz expects to mass produce Smart electrics for sale and lease. The vehicle’s price has not yet been determined, said Derek Kaufman, vice president of business development for Smart USA.
The initial lease program would be too expensive for many consumers. But some early-technology adopters want these cars, Kaufman said, and businesses are likely to lease them to make an eco-friendly statement.
The price will come down in 2012, according to Kaufman.
by jboullion | Aug 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Thomas Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The new Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory harnesses solar energy and offers engineering students a way to plug in to powerful possibilities
People seeking training for careers in renewable energy – especially solar power – will benefit from an ambitious project by Milwaukee Area Technical College and local firms.
The project includes a solar charging station for plug-in vehicles, a solar-powered highway sign demonstration and a training area for solar installers and electricians. They’re all built on portable concrete pads.
When it’s completed later this month, the MATC Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory on the east side along the Milwaukee River will become the largest solar installation in the state.
“It’s here to generate power, reduce our carbon footprint, but it’s mainly for training and education,” said Mike Sargent, the college’s chief financial officer and co- chairman of its sustainability committee.
The $7.1 million solar panel project will be a research center for students at MATC, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and other engineering schools.
The reason: Hundreds of sensors linked to the panels will give detailed real-time data about the solar power produced based on factors including temperature, haze, and cloud conditions, said Joe Jacobsen, director of the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing at MATC.
The project consists of several “fields” of solar panels, all sitting underneath television towers for Milwaukee Public Television and WDJT-TV (Channel 58).
The project showcases a variety of panel designs and technologies – including residential- and commercial-size systems – as well as some new features.
by jboullion | Jul 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article in BizTimes Daily:
The state Department of Transportation will host community workshops next week to discuss the location for the proposed Oconomowoc and Brookfield high speed rail train stations.
The Oconomowoc workshop is scheduled from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2, at Nature Hill Intermediate School, 850 Lake Dr., Oconomowoc.
The Brookfield workshop is scheduled from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Brookfield Elementary School, 2530 N. Brookfield Road, Brookfield.
At the workshops, DOT and consultant staff will be available to discuss the proposed train station sites. The DOT says its staff are also interested in hearing from the community on issues of concern to them as planning and environmental studies for the station get underway. The team developing the final design for the rail corridor will also be on hand to receive initial input on corridor issues.
The public is encouraged to attend the meetings, provide input and ask questions concerning the project, the DOT said.
by jboullion | Jul 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Larry Sandler in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Watertown – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday portrayed a planned Milwaukee-to-Madison high-speed rail line as an unstoppable train that Republican gubernatorial candidates can’t derail.
“High-speed rail is coming to Wisconsin,” LaHood said. “There’s no stopping it.
LaHood was in Watertown to sign an agreement to release $46.7 million of the $810 million in federal stimulus money that Wisconsin is receiving to build the 110-mph line.
That’s the second installment, after a previous $5.7 million payment.
Republican gubernatorial candidates Scott Walker and Mark Neumann have threatened to shut down construction on the line if they’re elected, saying they don’t want taxpayers burdened by operating costs. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the leading Democrat in the governor’s race, backs high-speed rail.
But LaHood, a former Republican congressman now serving in a Democratic administration, brushed those concerns aside, saying high-speed rail is a national program that will survive changes in political leadership.
In a statement, Walker vowed to stop construction of the train if is elected governor.
