by jboullion | Oct 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Public Service Commission issued the final environmental impact statement on the Glacier Hills Wind Park, and it includes these items:
Medical Impacts (page 68)
UW Med Flight is the responding air ambulance service closest to the Glacier Hills project area. UW Med Flight and the other reswponding agencies plan to develop safe landing sites or locations within the project area to which medical helicopters could be dispatched. Establishing alternative landing zones in an area is a common tool employed by medical helicopter services where terrain, vegetation, or
structures restrict landing sites….
In some instances, alternate landing sites may not be required; a medical helicopter can land in proximity to a wind turbine if it is safe and prudent to do so. There do not seem to be any UW Med Flight rulers or policies that would preclude landing within a project area if it is safe to do so. The decision about where to land is the pilot’s and is based on a variety of site factcors that present themselves upon arrival at an emergency scene. For example, closer landins to a turbine might be possible if the winds are calm and the wind turbine rotors are not rotating.
Sound Impacts (Page 82)
The studies done to date suggest that there is a wide variability in how peopole react to wind turbine noise and that many people do no appear to be affected. The studies do, however, support the concern that some people do react negatively to wind turbine noise, primarily through annoyance and sleep disturbance. It is widely accepted that disruption of sleep can lead to other physiological and psychological problems.
Dr. Nina Pierpont has hypothesized that in addition to annoyance and disturbance, wind turbine noise can result in direct activation of the vestibular and autonomic system leading to other health problems. The validity of this suggestion has been questioned. The Minnesota Department of Health concluded that “evidence is scant” for this hypothesis.
In summary, it is important to recognize that turbine noise can be problematic for some people. Although specific sound levels or distances from turbines cannot be directly correlated with these disturbance or annoyance problems, project design and siting should take potential impactcs of turbine noise into account.
Property Values (page 84)
A more recent study of two recently completed Wisconsin wind farms was completed by Appraisal Group One. This study contained similar problems of small sample size and weak statistical analyses. While the study was limited to residential vacany land sales, other potential factors that might influence sales prices were not analyzed. The study did not verify that all properties sold within the wind farm areas actually had views of wind turbines, whether the properties were sold prior to the proposal of a wind facility versus after the facilities were constructed and operating, and it did not differentiate between vacant lots with infrastructure potential such as streets, sewer, and water as opposed to farmland with no infrastructure.
by jboullion | Oct 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Amy Hetzner in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
A new provision allowing school districts to bypass voters and raise property taxes for energy-efficiency improvements is gaining notice among school leaders with aging buildings and limited funds.
The exemption from state-imposed revenue caps was included in the 2009-’11 budget passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle in June.
But it took until last month for the state Department of Public Instruction to issue discretion on how much they could spend and what they could spend it on, as long as they show the projects saved money on energy.
Now school boards have until Nov. 1 to decide whether they want to exercise their newfound flexibility for the school year already under way.
Three boards already have passed resolutions announcing their intentions to exceed revenue limits in paying for energy-efficiency projects. The most expensive of the proposals, from the Whitehall School District, involves $450,000 in spending over the next three years.
by jboullion | Oct 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission:
Heating moratorium begins November 1st
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) urges energy consumers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected. The PSC also encourages residents to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs to reduce the burden of utility bills this winter.
Wisconsin law states that consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Consumers who are currently disconnected must make arrangements with their local utility to pay outstanding bills in order to have service restored. If a consumer has not made arrangements to pay an outstanding bill, the utility is not required to reconnect the service until payment arrangements have been made.
Consumers who need to set up a payment agreement should call their local utility. Phone numbers for the largest utilities in Wisconsin are listed below. If consumers cannot reach an agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC at 608-266-2001 or 1-800-225-7729.
Alliant Energy, 1-800-862-6222
Madison Gas & Electric, 608-252-7144
Superior Water, Light & Power, 715-394-2200
We Energies, 1-800-842-4565
Wisconsin Public Service Corp., 1-800-450-7260
Xcel Energy, 1-800-895-4999
Energy Assistance
Due to increased federal funding and recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Consumers may qualify for assistance in paying their heating bills through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service, and weatherizing for low-income households.
For the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. The state anticipates nearly 256,000 Wisconsin families will receive energy assistance to pay a portion of their fuel costs this heating season, a 40 percent increase over last year.
Payments under these programs are based on household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance. For more information about applying for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
by jboullion | Oct 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story by Bridget Fargen on WJFW 12:
Many people use solar energy as a way to help the environment.
This weekend you can check out some homes and businesses that are using this type of technology.
The Wisconsin Solar Tour goal is to show new people how beneficial going “green” can be for your home or business. “This is where we have the most sun right here.”
This is one of the solar panels that provides energy for Mark Yeager’s Sugar Camp home.
Yeager tells Newswatch 12, “This whole system, the whole property is totally off grid, totally unconnected to the utility.”
Yeager’s home is one of 17 homes and businesses on this years Wisconsin Solar Tour. The two-story house is still under construction and draws all it’s electricity and water heat from the sun.
He says, “We’re attempting to build the most energy efficient home we can.”
What makes it so unique? It’s run off a micro-grid design.
Yeager says, “It’s a European design, that’s not done a lot here yet, it’s just starting to catch on in technology and so we have both on-grid and off grid technology.”
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in Northland’s News Center:
Governor Jim Doyle is urging Wisconsin residents to take action now to keep their households warm during this winter.
Residents are urged to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected and to take advantage of the state’s energy-efficiency programs as well low-income bill payment assistance programs to ease the burden of household energy costs during the winter season.
“During a Wisconsin winter, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes,” Governor Doyle said. “There are many programs in place to ensure that hard working low-income households make it safely through the season and now is the time to take advantage of the services the state offers.”
Under Wisconsin law, consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15 so long as they are connected at the start of the moratorium. . . .
Residents may also qualify for assistance paying their heating bill through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents who may struggle to pay utility bills this winter.
WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherizing low-income households. . . .
To receive more information about how to apply for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
