by jboullion | Oct 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald:
Whether you’re talking about hog confinement lots or wind farms, the message is the same: Uniform regulation throughout a state trumps local control.
The arguments over the siting of wind projects in Wisconsin during the past year sound much like the discussions several years ago about hog lots in Iowa. In both cases, having consistent guidelines makes sense. Iowa was operating under 99 sets of rules, with every county deciding its parameters for hog lots. Counties argued for local control. But the need for consistency made the stronger case. Eventually, a bipartisan state committee hammered out one set of rules. That made sense.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is looking to do the same thing. He signed a law ordering the Public Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the construction and operation of wind energy systems. Not only is the approach more fair, it could save individual townships and counties lots of headaches.
Without uniform siting, communities were left to make these tough decisions on their own — with strong constituent opinions Advertisement
on either side. In the face of public concern, trustees in southwest Wisconsin’s Smelser Township passed moratoriums banning all wind projects. They apparently violated state open meetings law in the process, making decisions without properly notifying the public. Trustees say the moratorium was in response to citizens’ concern that wind turbines pose a health risk.
by jboullion | Oct 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Shelly Birkelo in the Jansville Gazette:
JANESVILLE — Have you broken down and turned on your furnace yet?
It’s natural to wait as long as possible in an effort to keep your winter heating costs down.
There are, however, other ways to spend less money and save energy starting with an annual furnace inspection.
“It will probably cost between $50 and $100, but it is important to make sure your furnace is running correctly and efficiently,” said Steven Schultz, Alliant Energy communications program manager.
A checkup also will clean out dust or dirt, he said.
“Dust and dirt can clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down,” Schultz said.
It’s also the best prevention against deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Alliant’s monthly Natural Gas update newsletter.
To find an energy-smart heating contractor in your area, visit alliantenergy.com/ dealerlocator.
A home energy evaluation also can help consumers understand where their energy is going, Schultz said.
“It can show you where heat is escaping during the winter, for example, and will provide you with a blueprint for weatherizing your home,” he said.
For details about how you can do a home energy audit, visit www.alliantenergy.com/utilityservices/foryourhome/easyenergysavers/014671, Schultz said.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy-efficiency and renewable energy initiative, also is a good source for energy and money-savings tips, Schultz said.
It is funded by all of the state’s utilities and can be accessed by visiting www.focusonenergy.com or calling 1-800-762-7077, he said.
by jboullion | Oct 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the Winona Daily News:
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Walmart discount chain is committed to environmental sustainability, which is what its customers want, a company official said Thursday at the second Bioplastic and Biocomposite Supply Chain Conference.
Meanwhile, two local officials said in interviews they anticipate growth in bioplastics and biocomposites manufacturing, which involves using such things as plant-derived fibers and crops such as corn as ingredients.
About 90 people at the event at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse heard presentations on the future of bioplastics and biocomposites. The conference was hosted by the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, the 7 Rivers Alliance and Winona State University.
“Every sector of our company is involved in sustainability and looking at ways that we can incorporate sustainable practices into our business and be a better corporate neighbor, take care of our planet and most of all, give our customers what they want,” said Lisa Nelson, Walmart senior manager of public affairs for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
Walmart in October 2005 announced three core sustainability goals – to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, to create zero waste and to sell products that sustain resources and the environment.
Nelson gave examples of the company working toward these goals, such as reducing packaging, more efficient transportation practices that reduce fuel consumption by trucks, and constructing energy-efficient buildings.
by jboullion | Oct 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Cahalan in the La Crosse Tribune:
With the flip of a switch Wednesday, a new renewable energy system at City Brewery’s wastewater pretreatment plant began generating electricity from methane gas previously flared off as waste.
The Gundersen Lutheran-owned system resulted from a unique partnership between the health care provider and the brewery.
It is part of Gundersen Lutheran’s plan to lower its energy costs and be energy independent by 2014, through conservation efforts and renewable energy projects.
The brewery project is expected to generate about
3 million kilowatt hours a year, about 8 percent of the electricity used at Gundersen Lutheran’s La Crosse and Onalaska campuses. That also is enough electricity to power 299 homes, Gundersen Lutheran officials said.
With the new system, biogas from the brewery’s pretreatment plant is cleaned by removing water and impurities. What’s left is methane gas that is burned in the system’s engine.
Heat generated from the engine is captured and recycled back to produce heat for the brewery’s waste treatment process.
Brewery waste goes to its pretreatment plant before being sent to the city of La Crosse’s nearby wastewater treatment plant. Gundersen Lutheran officials said Wednesday it’s possible that biogas from the city’s plant also might be used to create electricity in the future.
by jboullion | Oct 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Draig D. Reber of the Herald Tribune (Dubuque, Iowa):
TOWN OF SMELSER, Wis. — To paraphrase a southwest Wisconsin lawmaker, now the devil is in the details.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill that calls for state regulators to come up with statewide rules for wind farms.
The state Public Service Commission’s rules will trump any local ordinances, including several moratoriums enacted by the Smelser Town Board of Trustees.
A moratorium enacted on June 8 resulted in charges being brought against Arnie Rawson, of rural Platteville, and Robert Droessler, of rural Cuba City, for violating open meetings law. They are accused of taking action on a matter without public notice.
“It was a minor mistake, we tried to rectify it (at our next meeting), and we couldn’t, according to state law,” Rawson said. “It’s happened before in other places. It’s no new thing.”
The board later went on to enact a moratorium in August on the White Oak wind project that includes parts of Smelser, Hazel Green and Paris townships. However, Senate Bill 185 and the ensuing action by Doyle to enact a uniform siting law trump the moratorium.
Wind developers say local officials have created a patchwork of regulations across the state that are so restrictive they are suffocating their projects. Local leaders say they are just looking out for people’s health.
