by jboullion | Feb 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement from Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI):
Grants are now available for both new construction and remodeling of existing homes that are targeting net zero energy use when completed.
Complete details can be found at www.GreenMaxHome.com. Click here to view the GreenMax Home RFP.
WPPI’s Web site explains the concept of a net zero energy home:
A net zero energy home is connected to the energy grid that supplies your local utility with power, but it is designed and constructed to produce at least as much energy as it consumes. The house supplies energy back to the grid in — at a minimum —an amount equal to the amount of power the homeowner purchases from the grid, resulting in a “net zero” impact on the nation’s energy supply. Any excess energy generated by the house is fed back into the grid.
This new concept combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar water heating and solar electricity. In many cases, the entire energy consumption — heating, cooling and appliances — of a net zero energy home can be provided by renewable energy sources.
Proposed homes must be built in a WPPI Energy member utility service area. WPPI’s member utilities are:
Alger Delta, MI
Algoma
Baraga, MI
Black River Falls
Boscobel
Brodhead
Cedarburg
Columbus
Cuba City
Eagle River
Evansville
Florence
Gladstone, MI
Hartford
Hustisford
Independence, IA
Jefferson
Juneau
Kaukauna
L’Anse, MI
Lake Mills
Lodi
Maquoketa, IA
Menasha
Mount Horeb
Muscoda
Negaunee, MI
New Glarus
New Holstein
New London
New Richmond
Norway, MI
Oconomowoc
Oconto Falls
Plymouth
Prairie du Sac
Reedsburg
Richland Center
River Falls
Slinger
Stoughton
Sturgeon Bay
Sun Prairie
Two Rivers
Waterloo
Waunakee
Waupun
Westby
Whitehall
by jboullion | Feb 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Eco Racine’s Fair blog:
4/18/09
Holy Communion Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall
2000 West Sixth Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53405
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (maybe longer)
Cost Free!
More info: wclingman@wi.rr.com
Vendors, please contact Eco Racine for information
by jboullion | Jan 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Samantha Marcus in the La Crosse Tribune:
City and county officials unveiled on Thursday an ambitious plan aimed at improving the La Crosse area’s environmental sustainability.
The strategic plan calls for major reductions in energy consumption and shifts to renewable energy sources and is scheduled to hit the La Crosse Common Council floor Feb. 12 and the La Crosse County Board on Feb. 19.
“It’s for the good of the community, so I do hope everyone will be behind it,” said council member and mayoral candidate Dorothy Lenard, who sits on the joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability.
City Senior Planner Tim Kabat said Thursday this collaborative plan is unique in Wisconsin.
The city portion of the 67-page draft outlines targets for increasing the purchase of “environmentally preferred products” and services by 50 percent, cutting city hall’s paper consumption by 10 percent each year starting this year, reducing nonrecyclable waste by 25 percent and increasing the amount recycled by 25 percent.
The plan also recommends improving community transportation by reducing public transit trip times and starting a community car-sharing program.
Two of the more immediate priorities are recycling plastics within six months to a year and hiring a sustainability coordinator, said Jai Johnson, committee chairwoman, council member and county board supervisor.
by jboullion | Jan 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
The brochure for the conference says:
A regional conference aimed at bringing local farmers, community leaders, businesses and institutions together to explore the increasing demand for local and organic food and the opportunity for Sustainable Community Development in Northern Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Jan 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the home page of the Western Wisconsin Initiative for Sustainable Communities:
There have been a myriad of TNS [The Natural Step] study circles (approximately 15 to date) in the St. Croix River Valley, from River Falls to Hudson, Spring Valley, Amery, Osceola, St. Croix Falls, and beyond. We now have a TNS study circle umbrella and advocacy group emerging in the form of the Western Wisconsin Initiative for Sustainable Communities (WWISC) that has been developing in partnership with the SCISCD.
In mid-November 2008, the WWISC leadership group (Rainbow Barry, Stew Erickson, Peter Henry, Timm Johnson, John Kalmon, Tracey Mofle, Cader Olive, Jeff Peterson, and Rob Peterson, Chair) developed a mission of “Facilitating regional adoption of the TNS framework for sustainable communities through the exchange of information and the sharing of resources.”
The WWISC site includes a link to a summary table of western Wisconsin organizations and their activities.
