Oakdale Electric Cooperative joins Focus on Energy

by | Oct 1, 2008 | Uncategorized

From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:

MADISON, Wis. (October 1, 2008) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Oakdale Electric Cooperative officially became a program member beginning October 1, 2008. The utility serves approximately 15,000 customers throughout Monroe and Juneau counties and portions of Jackson, Sauk and Wood counties.

“I welcome Oakdale Electric Cooperative into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make the same environmentally-friendly decisions.”

Oakdale Electric Cooperative will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:

Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.

Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.

+ Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.

+ Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.

+ Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.

Webinars: Building Communities Educational Series

by | Sep 26, 2008 | Uncategorized

From the UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development:

Today’s society is complex and challenging. There are myriad social, environmental and economic opportunities and challenges facing communities and businesses of all types and sizes. How do we engage each other in ways that benefit more than just a few special interests? How do we proceed so that we can achieve important objectives, but not do so at the expense of other ones that we also value? Is there a way of balancing a healthy economy, a healthy ecosystem and a healthy community? If we find that balance, can we sustain it?

This year’s Building Communities Webinar Series tackles these important questions. We address global, regional and local issues and challenge ourselves as both a community and as individuals. Join us in discovering some of our constraints and uncovering the limitless potential we possess to overcome them. If you care deeply about the economy and the viability of our businesses … if you care deeply about the ecological health of our planet … if you care deeply about the quality of life of our community – this webinar series is for you. Join us to be enlightened, to be informed, to be challenged, and to be called to action!

Who Should Attend:
Extension educators along with local elected and appointed officials working with communities on economic development and quality of life issues, including local business leaders, economic development professionals, and environmentalists.

Co-sponsors:
University of Wisconsin-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development and Sustainability and Energy Teams. . . .

The registration fee is $40 per program/$275 for the series per site (You can invite as many people as you would like to participate at your site).

Programs will be held on the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. (Central Time) from October 2008 – June 2009.

This year, the series will focus on Sustainability:

October 21, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Setting the Stage: Sustainability and Sustainable Community Development

November 18, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Energy Efficiency

December 16, 2008, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Renewable Energy

January 20, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainability and Comprehensive Planning

February 17, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainable Business Practices and Strategies

March 17, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Green Collar Jobs: Sustainable Work in a Low Carbon World

April 21, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Local Food Networks: Food Localization as a Sustainability Strategy

May 19, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Sustainability Indicators and Measurement

June 16, 2009, 11:30 – 12:30 P.M., C.T.
Community Organizing for Sustainability