by jboullion | Dec 3, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued at a press conference in La Crosse:
For More Information Contact:
Adrienne Joseph or Sue Beitlich
715-723-5561/715-379-2712 or 608-769-7625
wfuadriennej@charterinternet.com or wfusueb@charter.net
WFU and partners announce launch of
Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign
Madison, Wis. (December 3, 2008) – Wisconsin Farmers Union officials gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol today to announce the launch of the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign. WFU and its campaign partners laid out four state policy initiatives that will address the challenge of global climate change.
“The Wisconsin agriculture and forestry industries are essential to expanding a renewable energy economy in our state,” said Sue Beitlich, WFU president. “Renewable energy will help us to achieve greater energy and economic security, create new jobs, strengthen agricultural markets and reduce carbon emissions.”
Building on Gov. Jim Doyle’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy, and the recommendations of his Global Warming Task Force, WFU along with Clean Wisconsin, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and RENEW Wisconsin, have developed a campaign to support the following initiatives to expand energy and heat production from biomass:
• Create the Biomass Energy Crop Reserve Program, establishing 10-year contracts to pay landowners in exchange for planting bioenergy crops that are energy efficient and preserve natural resources.
• Expand Renewable Fuels for Schools and Communities by setting up funding sources for those who would like to purchase equipment for biomass systems that replace fossil fuel and save tens of thousands of dollars in fuel savings.
• Launch a Renewable Energy Buyback Program that will fairly compensate small-scale renewable energy producers who generate renewable electricity (biomass, solar, wind and hydro).
• Encourage the establishment of a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels.
by jboullion | Dec 2, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Paris Henne in the UW-La Crosse Raquet:
Legislation has been passed in La Crosse that endorses the “Natural Step model for Eco-Municipalities” and authorizes the City Planning Department to prepare a proposal for “developing a sustainable community plan.”
According to “The Ecomunicipality Model for Sustainable Community Change” by Torbjörn Lahti and Sarah James, “An ecomunicipality aspires to develop an ecologically, economically, and socially healthy community for the long term, using the Natural Step framework for sustainability as a guide.”
According to the City of La Crosse Council, the purpose of the plan is “safeguarding and improving environmental features as a means of promoting neighborhood revitalization, community image and quality of life.”
Also included are guidelines developed by the American Planning Association to help implement the plan. The city should:
1. Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, and extracted underground metals and minerals.
2. Reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in Nature.
3. Reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems.
4. Meet the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently.
The city budget for the plan is $25,000 for planning consultant(s) and $5,000 for City staff. The source of the funds is “$15,000 from 2006 Community Development Block Grant and $l5,000 from the 2007 Community Development Block Grant sustainable plan funds,” according to the city plan.
The Eco-Municipality model is different from others because it uses a “systems approach.” Many communities in the US implement changes on a “project-by-project” basis. According to Lahti and James, “the key ingredients of a systems approach are widespread community awareness, raising an integrated municipal involvement, and using a common ‘sustainability language’ based upon the Natural Step framework.” Therefore, the likelihood of conflict is minimized.
by jboullion | Nov 30, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Bob Seaquist in the Onalaska Holmen Life Courier:
Saving energy in small ways is saving the Onalaska School District big money. Doug Hause, the district’s energy director told the Onalaska Board of Education Monday night the effort has saved $446,058 over the past 24 months. That is a 30 percent drop from what energy expenditures would have been without the program.
“We don’t suddenly have $400,000 sitting there but just have $400,000 less in expenses,” Superintendent John Burnett said.
In the past two years Onalaska schools spent $1,096,427 for energy.
The district contracts with Energy Education Inc., paying the firm about $88,500 per year in a four-year contract.
The company estimates the school district will save $4.5 million over a 10-year period if it sticks with the effort, Hauser said.
Remarkably, energy savings continue piling up even though the program is going into its third year. Hauser said a “plateau” has not occurred because there are “so many ways n facets n to save energy.” He gives extra credit to building head custodians who keep looking for ways to cut electricity, heat and air conditioning waste.
by jboullion | Nov 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)announcement of the 2009 Organic Farming Conference, February 26-28, 2009, in La Cross
An extraordinary, farmer-centered event, the Organic Farming Conference is the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. In 2008, more than 2,300 people attended, with participants traveling from 37 states and 1 foreign country. Sponsored by the Wisconsin-based Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), the conference is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community.
The conference is highly regarded due to its practical workshops designed to help beginning, transitional, and experienced organic farmers.
by jboullion | Nov 24, 2008 | Uncategorized
A report on WXOW News 19 (La Crosse) about a public forum on a power project called CapX 2020:
La Crosse, WI (WXOW)- It’s a highly controversial project. Opponents claim these 150 foot tall towers placed every one thousand feet would have a detrimental impact on the environment and wildlife. They also claim there are better options to meeting growing energy needs.
Utilities like Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power support the lines saying it’s necessary to meet the growing demands for energy.
It’s called CapX 2020. The powerlines would start in the Dakotas and continue through Rochester and through the La Crosse Area. Those with Xcel say regional electric use has grown by 80-percent since the early 1980s. Attorney Carol oOerland is against the power lines says there’s alternatives like renewable energy and conservation.
“And we don’t need it. There is other ways to generate electricity. We can use wind and gas combos. It’s just not needed,” says Carol Overland, Attorney.
“The lines, it’s about growth. For example, in the La Crosse metro area you have 20% growth in the last 20 years in the entire Rochester region has seen 50 percent growth,” Says Xcel Energy Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Tim Carlsgaard.
This is something both the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin will decide. State and federal permits are both needed as well in order for high voltage transmission lines to be built.
