by jboullion | Apr 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a memo distributed to state representatives by Wave Wind LLC, Sun Prairie:
At Wave Wind LLC, we develop, construct and maintain small to mid-sized wind farms. We are a Wisconsin based company that hires Wisconsin employees to develop our projects. Unfortunately, we recently had to lay off 12 of our valued employees as a result of the delay in passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
By supporting the Clean Energy Jobs Act, you would not only allow us to hire back those employees, but you would also enable us to create over 100 additional high-quality jobs for Wisconsinites constructing new wind projects.
With the construction of three wind farms on hold, we recently had to lay off project managers, human resource specialists, vice presidents and marketing specialists until we can ensure a market for the power produced by
those farms. The Clean Energy Jobs Act helps to create that market that will allow our company to quickly rebuild and expand.
I hope that our employees serve as the face of the other 15,000 jobs you could create in Wisconsin by passing this bill.
by jboullion | Apr 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by CREWE, a coalition of the following organizations — Alliant Energy, Xcel, We Energies, Madison Gas and Electric, WPPI Energy, EcoEnergy, Johnson Controls, C5•6 Technologies, Axley Brynelson, Orion Energy Systems, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Poblocki Sign Company, Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, MillerCoors, American Transmission Co., DTE Energy Services, Kranz, Inc. and Greenwood Fuels:
(MADISON, Wis.)—The coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE) today urged the State Assembly to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) in order to create thousands of jobs and reduce electricity costs for Wisconsin consumers and businesses.
“The amended Clean Energy Jobs Act provides even more benefits than the original version, so our representatives must make the obvious choice and pass this bill,” Thad Nation, executive director of CREWE, said. “In fact, a recent survey shows that business leaders are eager to undertake energy efficiency efforts as a means of saving money and growing their respective businesses.”
CREWE member Johnson Controls surveyed more than 1,400 executives in North America and found that improving energy efficiency in buildings is their top priority. According to the Public Service Commission, the energy efficiency provisions in the new CEJA are likely to save Wisconsin ratepayers billions of energy dollars over the next several years.
The Assembly will vote on the bill Tuesday.
Among the amendments, a more aggressive energy efficiency policy will keep electricity affordable and target Wisconsin’s manufacturing, large commercial and and institutional sectors, which in turn will produce
many high-quality, well-paying jobs, Nation added.
by jboullion | Apr 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Tomorrow the Assembly will be voting on the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
RENEW Wisconsin and dozens of other organizations have been working hard to pass the job-creating legislation.
Clean Wisconsin set up a Web site where you can easily send an email to your legislators to urge them to vote “yes” for the bill.
Contact them now, before the Assembly votes.
Let’s make this happen!
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a guest column by Wisconsin Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen in The Tomah Journal:
Legislators recently announced a substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act that will bring down consumer costs, create more than 16,000 jobs in the state and position Wisconsin to continue its leading role in clean energy production. Through the Clean Energy Jobs Act, we will create clean energy that works for Wisconsin and is made in Wisconsin. Our state does not pump a barrel of oil. We don’t have coal deposits or natural gas. Our energy costs n which amount to one out of every 10 dollars generated in Wisconsin n mean we send about $16 billion a year out of our state to pay for fuel and electricity.
Passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act is an enormous opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign fuels and make sure Wisconsin doesn’t lose out on this chance to create clean energy jobs to countries like China. The world is moving rapidly in this direction, and Wisconsin is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the growing clean energy market.
Especially when it comes to agriculture.
A key component of the recently announced substitute amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act is incentives for the development of small-scale renewable energy projects, with a preference for manure digesters. Under the revised bill, $25 million in grants and loans will now be available per year for four years through an expanded Focus on Energy Program. That is a big step forward for rural Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Advocates for Renewable Energy, a coalition of organizations, including RENEW Wisconsin:
Act Will Save Wisconsin Utility Customers at Least $1.2 Billion
The Public Service Commission (PSC) released a study today finding that the Clean Energy Jobs Act substitute amendment will save Wisconsin electricity customers at least $1.2 billion over the next 15 years, and could save Wisconsin electricity customers up to $6.4 billion over that period, compared to the business as usual approach. The study is based on the energy cost savings of provisions included in the Clean Energy Jobs Act substitute amendment released on Wednesday.
“The PSC study confirms that the Clean Energy Jobs Act will save Wisconsin residents and businesses money,” said Vicky Lipinski of Procorp Enterprises, a water and wastewater treatment solution company in Milwaukee. “Sustainable energy solutions reduce costs for businesses and allow them to be more competitive and create jobs.”
The study finds that average customer electricity bills will be lower in 2015 and 2020 under all scenarios with the Clean Energy Jobs Act compared to the business as usual approach. These savings will be realized by customers even without any federal carbon regulation. When modest federal carbon regulation is assumed, the cost savings of the Clean Energy Jobs Act are even greater.
“Our continued reliance on fossil fuel generation provides great uncertainty in the energy market, as costs of coal and natural gas are highly variable and unpredictable,” said Shaina Kilcoyne of the coalition Advocates for Renewable Energy. “As the PSC study demonstrates, renewable energy provides stability and predictability, as well as cost savings for residents and businesses.”
The study is further proof that the cost concerns alleged by opponents of the bill are without merit. The Clean Energy Jobs Act will reduce energy costs, create jobs, and improve our economy.
“The Clean Energy Jobs Act will move our state forward and establish a stronger, healthier, more sustainable Wisconsin economy,” said Kilcoyne.
