The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, RENEW Wisconsin’s newsletter, features these articles:
+ Rest in Peace: Cassville Generation Plant
+ Mississippi River Bird and Bat Study
+ Osceola School Heats Pools with Solar
+ Bob Ramlow: Solar Pioneer
+ Focus on Energy Issues Biogas Profiles
+ Focus on Energy Earns National Honor
+ State Plugs into Renewable Energy
From an article by Wayne Nelson in BusinessNorth:
The region’s economy already has a tint of “green,” ranging from hydroelectric and wind-generated power to biofuels development and environmentally-friendly building design.
And it’s in a potential sweet spot for a boost from President Barack Obama’s “green economy” initiative that promises $150 billion in federal funding over the next decade to help address climate change issues, and develop 5 million green collar jobs in the process.
“Any renewables stimulus program will be huge for this region,” said Chris Wiberg, chief operations officer at Twin Ports Testing in Superior. “We have a lot of woody biomass,” he said, noting the challenge is to divine commercially viable technology. “The question is how to use it,” he said.
Twin Ports Testing launched a fuels analysis lab in 1980 and is in the vanguard in this search for renewable biomass fuels. That laboratory has assisted one corner of this sector — producing wood pellets from biomass for residential, commercial and industrial heating — get off the ground.
The article highlights many area businesses in the renewable energy industry.
From a guest editorial by State Senator Kathleen Vinehout in The Tomah Journal:
In my home neighborhood a wind energy development firm is writing to encourage local farmers and other land owners to contact me in support of wind-power.
Renewable energy is on nearly every legislators “to do” list. Although challenges vary across the state, there is almost universal agreement that we need to move beyond our current fossil fuel based economy. Wisconsin is moving forward with leadership from the Office of Energy Independence, the Global Warming Task Force and state agencies.
Last week I met with the Director of the Office on Energy Independence and learned a bit more about the opportunities and challenges Wisconsin faces as we move toward a green economy.
The diversity of our state provides incredible opportunities for the development of renewable energy. Technology is making new options viable. Investors and local entrepreneurs are supplying capital and ideas that could put Wisconsin on the cutting edge of the green revolution.
Liabilities, like manure or waste from landfills, could power our home and industry. Natural resources, like the sun, the wind and the earth (through geo-thermal energy) could provide the jobs we need to grow our economy and the power to run our televisions.
Unfortunately, just when it seems we are on the edge of learning how to work together and embrace the diversity of renewable energy sources, I learned of some competition between those who would profit from wind development and those who would like to invest in other forms of renewable energy. While competition is healthy and often spurs innovation, efforts to shut down competitive alternatives may not be in the public’s best interest.
From an article by Paul Snyder in The Daily Reporter:
Wisconsin still has 16 years to meet its 2025 alternative energy development goals, yet business and utility groups say the state had better pick up the pace.
Charlie Higley, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, said the state is producing less than 5 percent of its energy from renewable resources.
“Wisconsin is still losing out big to places like Iowa when it comes to wind power manufacturers,” he said. “And I think there’s still focusing to do when it comes to (establishing a direction for) energy independence.”
The state charted its course toward independence last year when it adopted the Clean Energy Wisconsin report, which set 2025 as the year by which the state derives 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Yet local and state governments remain at an impasse over control of wind farm placement, and, after a fast start, ethanol and biomass plant development slowed to a crawl in the last year.
“Yes, we’re behind, and yes, it’s disappointing,” said state Rep. Phil Garthwaite, the Dickeyville Democrat who serves on the Assembly Committee on Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs. “You’d like to be further along, and 16 years seems short. But I think there’s still a lot of work we can do. It’s just going to be a longer process due to economics and public psychology.”
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, USDA-Rural Development, UW-Extension Offices:
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AMERICA WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Training Opportunities and Topics:
– General overview of the REAP Program
– Changes in the 2008 Farm Bill
– How to apply for a Grant
– Q & A
3 Convenient Ways to Attend:
1. Attend online webinar and teleconference
2. In person at Mid-State Technical College
3. Satellite sites are being hosted at UW- Extension Offices
Onsite Location:
Room L133
Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids
Host Locations:
Several in western Wisconsin. See brochure for details.
Presenters:
Brenda Heinen,USDA Rural Development
Mark Brodziski, USDA Rural Development
Registration:
See brochure
Questions:
Rural Development
4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-345-7610