by jboullion | Jan 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a newsletter article by R. J. Pirot, Director, Legislative Relations, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC):
By 2015, state law requires ten percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable resources. WMC is already doing its part to meet that goal. Through Madison Gas and Electric, WMC voluntarily buys half of its electricity from wind generation power plants.
Unfortunately, some local communities are starting to virtually ban development of small wind farms, stymieing Wisconsin from meeting its renewable energy goals. WMC is already working with the Wisconsin Legislature on setting fair and uniform standards to encourage wind farm development, helping Wisconsin meet its renewable energy law.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has authority over all power plant proposals in excess of 100 megawatts, including wind energy power plants. Local units of government have permitting authority over all power plants under 100 megawatts, including wind energy power plants. Some local units of government have imposed expensive, time-consuming and scientifically-unjustified restrictions on the development of wind energy power plants.
For example, a new Trempealeau County ordinance forbids building a wind turbine within one mile of a habitable building, effectively banning building small wind farms in the county. Other communities have taken similar action and, as a result, investment in and installation of approximately 400 megawatts of wind energy power plants are stalled in Wisconsin.
Rather than allowing a patchwork of varying local regulations, the Wisconsin Legislature should take swift action to have fair and uniform standards for wind turbines set throughout Wisconsin. Wind speeds in Wisconsin are high enough to support development of additional wind turbine farms and wind is a cost effective way to meet the state’s ten percent renewable energy law. While solar, biomass, biogas and hydroelectricity, too, will help meet this ten percent renewable energy requirement, wind power is projected to account for 95 percent of Wisconsin’s renewable energy production.
by jboullion | Jan 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Members of the Wausau School Board on Monday approved a $400,000 donation for the Wausau East High School wind turbine project.
Members voted 5-0 in favor of accepting the donation, which came from the Walter Alexander Foundation. It will cover most of the estimated $575,000 in project costs.
District officials plan to install two wind turbines on the southeast corner of the Wausau East campus.
The turbines will stand more than 150 feet high and could be operational by next summer, East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke said.
by jboullion | Jan 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Sean Ryan in The Daily Reporter:
There are not enough power lines to support wind farms in Lake Michigan.
That lack of transmission lines to carry power from offshore wind farms was one issue within the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s Wind on the Water report released Thursday. According to the report, if Wisconsin wants to generate more than 600 megawatts from a lake wind farm, the state will need a new power line parallel to Lake Michigan’s shore.
The ability to connect to transmission lines is the No. 1 factor determining where wind farms are built, and Wisconsin could make Lake Michigan more attractive to developers if there is a new power line with capacity for offshore farms, said Mike Donahue, executive vice president of Midwest Wind Energy in Chicago. For land-based wind farms, developers must choose a location and ask transmission companies if the existing power lines can handle the extra electricity generated by the turbines.
“Your transportation infrastructure has become the critical location factor for projects,” he said, “whether they’re land or offshore.”
by jboullion | Jan 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Paulson in the Steven Point Journal:
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is taking the first step in a plan to place a wind turbine on its radio tower.
Last week, the Student Government Association received the go-ahead from administrators to conduct a wind assessment.
The tower, located west of Stevens Point on County Highway PP, is owned by the university and used by WWSP 90FM, the student-run radio station. With the height, it’s a prime location.
“I think what is driving this is the location; it is the second-highest point in Portage County,” said John Gosz, 90FM’s faculty adviser.
Now with administrative approval, SGA President Katie Kloth will complete the application for the assessment, then request the $600 it will cost through the SGA Finance Committee.
All money coming from the Sustainability Reserve must be approved by the Finance Committee.
Kloth and Gosz say they aren’t sure the turbine will be feasible, but they need to know whether there is enough wind to make continued investigation worthwhile.
“We might as well look,” Kloth said.
by jboullion | Jan 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility serves approximately 850 customers in Juneau County.
“I welcome New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
New Lisbon Municipal Light and Water will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
