by jboullion | Aug 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal:
Wisconsin should ask tough questions about the need and price tag for a major, high-voltage power line stretching from the Madison area to La Crosse.
But Wisconsin also should keep an open mind as public input is sought.
Our state relies on a huge amount of imported energy. The new line would boost reliability and provide access to more of the wholesale electricity market. That could save Wisconsin ratepayers money.
The 150-mile, 345-kilovolt line also could give Wisconsin greater access to renewable wind energy generated in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Dane County isn’t getting any smaller. Our population will soon top a half million people. Though using energy more efficiently must remain a high priority, so must economic growth and jobs.
The American Transmission Co. just gained permission for a similar high-voltage line around Madison along the Beltline to boost reliability and capacity. The company plans to begin construction of the local line next year. The Rockdale-West Middleton line succeeded in part because of an open process of meetings and information that made the case for action.
ATC is now pledging to similarly engage the public as it seeks what’s being called the Badger Coulee Transmission Line project. The path of the power line is unclear. It could follow the interstate or veer more southwest toward Reedsburg, Richland Center and Viroqua.
Putting up new power lines always comes with controversy when property owners don’t want the tall poles passing by — or through — their land. Yet the potential good to the state’s economy sometimes takes precedent.
That’s why a careful and fair assessment of the proposal is so important.
by jboullion | Aug 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Winona Daily News:
Winona County commissioners approved conditional-use permits Tuesday for a wind farm near Lewiston, Minn., that will be owned by a subsidiary of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center as part of the company’s efforts to become energy independent by 2014.
The wind project calls for building three 404-foot-tall wind turbines and a substation on a 315-acre farm just north of Lewiston city limits, southwest of County Road 25 and Trestle Drive. Each turbine will have a 262-foot-tall tower, topped by a rotor with a 282-foot diameter blade.
by jboullion | Jul 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Department of Workforce Development:
TOWN of MENASHA – Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman said today Governor Doyle’s investments in Wisconsin’s clean energy future are showing gains in manufacturing, job opportunities, a cleaner environment, and a more energy independent Wisconsin.
“Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin is harnessing the wind to power economic growth, creating clean energy jobs,” Secretary Gassman said. “As the economy improves from a deep national recession, the steps Wisconsin has taken to encourage efficiency and renewable energy will continue to pay dividends in the long term.”
Secretary Gassman highlighted Governor Doyle’s successful clean energy efforts during a visit to SCA Tissue. At SCA’s Service Excellence Center in the Town of Menasha, she joined the global manufacturer of tissue and paper products in dedicating four wind turbines, the first commercial units built by Renewegy, LLC. The Renewegy turbines will generate 100 to 125 megawatt-hours per year to help power SCA Tissue’s operations. The turbine-generated electricity will complement other energy-saving steps at the company, including heat recovery systems, energy-saving light bulbs, auto lighting systems and low-energy computer screens.
In operation for two years, Renewegy received a $525,000 grant from Governor Doyle last December to purchase manufacturing equipment and create 40 new jobs. The grant was funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Renewegy is one of more than 300 companies in Wisconsin that provide products and services to the wind industry, employing thousands of people.
by jboullion | Jul 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a story by Susan Bence on WUWM radio, Milwaukee:
Catherine McQueen and Fritz Kreiss describe themselves as partners in life and business, who decided to put their money where their green talk is.
I’m invited to their home to see for myself.
You drive into their five acres – it’s a former mink farm – through lush trees. A circle drive pulls you into their brightly white-painted home, surrounded by perennial beds.
Then WHAM, you spot the 50 kilowatts wind turbine throwing giant shadows along a line of trees.
Fritz says they’re goal is to use no more energy than they consume. They seem to be off to a good start.
“The 50 KW is about enough electricity for 15 homes,” Fritz says.
When the couple transplanted from Illinois five years ago and took on the fixer-upper, Catherine says they weren’t on an environmental mission.
“This was our Shangri-La. We were going to go out toes up from this house,” Catherine says.
They had just rolled up their sleeves to tackle the project, when Fritz says they learned their quiet country road was slated for development.
“We went to a town meeting and the town basically said, listen Highway 50 is meant to be a commercial corridor in the long term plan,” Fritz says.
Catherine says after pulling their jaws off the floor, they started brainstorming. Why not transform their vision to a B&B? Next summer they hope to welcome their first guests.
“`Where you’re sitting is going to be the area where people can get their breakfast and I’d like to serve tea at 4:00 and we’ll have like a cookie of the day,” Catherine says.
by jboullion | Jul 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Charlie Mathews in the Manitow Hearld Times Reporter:
MANITOWOC — Paul Smith is excited to hang a “Jobs Open” sign at Tower Tech’s manufacturing plant on the Manitowoc River peninsula.
With two major new contracts, the wind tower company’s chief operating officer said about 60 people will be hired in the next month, increasing the work force to more than 200.
“It feels pretty good to bring some individuals back from layoff, as well as hire new to do welding, painting, blasting and assembling,” said Smith.
The recession hit the wind industry hard, but contracts awarded in late June and this week to supply 265-foot, 200-ton towers for Danish-based Vestas and Spanish firm Gamesa Technology Corp. will keep the Manitowoc plant operating at full capacity for the next year.
“Our people have a work ethic combined with basic fabrication and welding knowledge that enable us to build some of the heaviest towers in the industry better than anybody,” Smith said.
It also helps that Milwaukee-based We Energies was looking for Wisconsin suppliers for its $367 million Glacier Hills Wind Park to be erected in 2011 in Columbia County. Tower Tech will build 90 towers for the project.
