by jboullion | Sep 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by We Energies:
ROTHSCHILD, Wis. – We Energies announced today the proposed construction of a $250 million biomass-fueled power plant at Domtar Corporation’s Rothschild, Wisconsin paper mill site. Wood, waste wood and sawdust will be used to produce 50 megawatts of electricity and will also support Domtar’s sustainable papermaking operations. The project would be funded by We Energies.
The partnership between We Energies and Domtar will result in a highly efficient use of resources and will add another technology to We Energies’ renewable energy portfolio.
That portfolio includes the state’s largest wind development — the 145 megawatt Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center in Fond du Lac County and the proposed 162 megawatt Glacier Hills Wind Park in Columbia County. Together, these three projects will be capable of delivering nearly 360 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to supply approximately 120,000 homes. . . .
Under Wisconsin law, utilities statewide must use renewable energy to meet 10 percent of the electricity needs of retail customers by the year 2015.
The project is expected to create approximately 400 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs in the surrounding community, including independent wood suppliers and haulers from northern and central Wisconsin who will secure waste wood for the project.
by jboullion | Aug 31, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Sustainable Eau Claire’s EcoTeam page:
EcoTeams are designed to help people make voluntary changes in the way they interact with the environment. If you’re like many people, you have a vague idea of what you should be doing to reduce your environmental footprint, but you don’t know where to begin. The EcoTeam resources will assist you in translating your desire to do the right thing into a program of environmental action that will make a difference.
by jboullion | Aug 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story on WQOW-TV, Eau Claire:
Menomonie (WQOW) — Just as Cash for Clunkers comes to an end, we learn about a new government program: Cash for Appliances.
That program will provide customers with rebates to get rid of an old appliance in exchange for buying a newer, more energy-efficient one. The funds will be distributed through Focus on Energy. The owner of Denny’s Appliance in Menomonie says she’s excited about the program.
Deb Rogge says, “What it’s going to do is it’s going to help you reduce your energy bill. When you look at how much electricity something is using and you start updating the appliances and light bulbs and things like that in your home, that’s just that much less energy that you’re going to use, so it’s going to put some money in your pocketbook.”
Focus on energy says Wisconsin will receive more than $5 million for the program. That money will be released after the government reviews the state’s application. Focus on Energy expects the program to begin anytime between October 15th and the end of November. The amount customers can expect per rebate hasn’t been ironed out.
by jboullion | Aug 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Giles Morris in The Daily News (Rhinelander):
As Governor Jim Doyle continues his northern tour, he is promoting a policy agenda that will serve as his legacy when he leaves office next year.
One of the most ambitious pieces of legislation Doyle is pushing for is a law that would create a new renewable energy benchmark for the state.
On Monday, Eric Callisto, chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), spoke about how the new goals would change the way the state looks at its energy policy.
“The governor is not running for re-election and as he announced that he talked about some of the priorities for the state going forward,” Callisto said. “Among those are environmental protection and sustainable energy.”
Callisto, who heads the agency charged with overseeing the state’s energy utilities, said the governor’s energy plan involves a three-pronged approach consisting of strengthening the state’s standards for renewable energy consumption, expanding the state’s market share of clean energy production and ramping up clean energy research programs throughout the UW system.
The first piece of legislation that could emerge from the governor’s energy platform could reach the Legislature this fall. The bill — which would likely come through Sen. Mark Miller’s committee on the environment and Rep. Spencer Black’s natural resources committee — would entail a modification of the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
The current RPS requires that the state’s utility companies produce 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. Under the revamped bill, the deadline for the 10 percent renewable mark would be moved up to 2013 and two new benchmarks would be added to create a “25 by 25” agenda — 25 percent renewable by 2025 with at least 10 percent produced in Wisconsin.
“I think it’s a realistic goal,” Callisto said. “It’s a goal in which Wisconsin utilities, businesses and rate payers are all going to have to play a major role.”
by jboullion | Aug 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Heidi Clausen in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
TURTLE LAKE – Mike Brenna wants to bring people back to farms.
That’s the main reason he has agreed to host Soupstock III on Saturday, Sept. 19, at his 50-acre Little Footprint Farm.
Brenna hopes at least 500 people will turn out to learn more about sustainable agriculture and ways they can support local growers and artisans.
“We want to get the public coming to farms and getting connected to farmers and making us part of the community again,” he said.
Brenna’s Polk County farm has been a hub of activity in recent weeks. In-between weeding and harvesting, he and his crew rush to finish a new building that will be the heart of the farm’s outreach activities.
Soupstock III will be the first event there, said Brenna, a founding member of the Northwest Wisconsin Food Network.
The first two Soupstocks, hosted by Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary and Nature Center near Sarona, each drew 250 to 300 people.
“We really wanted to get it back on a farm,” Brenna said.
Soupstock is a collaboration of the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Food Network, the Farm to Community Alliance and Hunt Hill.
The fall festival’s purpose is to educate people about local food, art and music and foster an interest in sustainability.
