by jboullion | Oct 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Draig D. Reber of the Herald Tribune (Dubuque, Iowa):
TOWN OF SMELSER, Wis. — To paraphrase a southwest Wisconsin lawmaker, now the devil is in the details.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill that calls for state regulators to come up with statewide rules for wind farms.
The state Public Service Commission’s rules will trump any local ordinances, including several moratoriums enacted by the Smelser Town Board of Trustees.
A moratorium enacted on June 8 resulted in charges being brought against Arnie Rawson, of rural Platteville, and Robert Droessler, of rural Cuba City, for violating open meetings law. They are accused of taking action on a matter without public notice.
“It was a minor mistake, we tried to rectify it (at our next meeting), and we couldn’t, according to state law,” Rawson said. “It’s happened before in other places. It’s no new thing.”
The board later went on to enact a moratorium in August on the White Oak wind project that includes parts of Smelser, Hazel Green and Paris townships. However, Senate Bill 185 and the ensuing action by Doyle to enact a uniform siting law trump the moratorium.
Wind developers say local officials have created a patchwork of regulations across the state that are so restrictive they are suffocating their projects. Local leaders say they are just looking out for people’s health.
by jboullion | Oct 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nathaniel Shuda in the Wausau Daily Herald:
As leaders of a Wisconsin Rapids company finalize logistics of a planned local manufacturing plant, they have their sights set on an even larger project.
Officials with Energy Composites Corp. are developing a group to build wind farms on the Great Lakes, said Sam Fairchild, chief executive officer.
“There have been a lot of groups trying to align some interest in the Great Lakes in terms of energy,” Fairchild said Friday. “The problem is no one is trying to build wind farms in the Great Lakes. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Two weeks after announcing plans to form what it’s calling a Great Lakes Consortium, Energy Composites already has attracted the attention of state and federal officials, outside energy companies and power utilities in states surrounding the lakes, Fairchild said. Because of that, company leaders are trying to acquire federal funding for wind development.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Charles Menchaca in the Wausau Daily Herald:
System will generate about 8 percent of East High’s electricity
Wausau East High School on Wednesday received a 155-foot-tall addition to its campus, one that will help save money and help students be part of the green revolution, educators said.
Technicians erected the first of two wind turbines on the school grounds. Students, school staff members and curious residents watched the construction throughout the day.
The first structure, known as the Northwind 100, will generate 100 kilowatts of power and has a rotor diameter of 21 meters. It is the largest wind turbine in Marathon County and the first of its kind on Wisconsin public school property, Wausau East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke said.
To fund the project’s estimated $647,000 cost, Ebbecke pursued and received contributions from several public and private sources, including the Walter Alexander Foundation and the Wausau School District.The district could contribute up to $50,000 in public money for startup costs and will pay about $4,000 for maintenance on the two turbines every year.
A smaller turbine and a photovoltaic system also will be installed at East this year. The turbines are at the forefront of the district’s plans to teach students about renewable energy. Ebbecke continues to work with other teachers to develop wind-energy curriculum, and some of their lesson plans will be used this school year.
“I think it’s important to teach (students) to make responsible decisions and that there are other choices out there regarding their energy,” Ebbecke said.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
NEW BERLIN – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 185, creating more uniform standards for siting wind projects and strengthening Wisconsin’s wind industry.
“With our resources and strategic location, we have a tremendous opportunity to become a worldwide leader in wind energy,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill is a clear statement to the wind industry that Wisconsin is open for business and will create more jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.”
The legislation accomplishes an integral recommendation of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish uniform standards regulating the construction and operation of wind energy systems. It allows proposed wind energy systems that are one megawatt or larger to appeal decisions by local authorities with the PSC.
Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. Governor Doyle created the Task Force on Global Warming to bring together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environment leaders to examine the effects and solutions to global warming in Wisconsin. Using current national and local research, the task
force analyzed possible solutions to global warming challenges that pose a threat to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental health. The task force is charged with creating a state plan of action to deliver to the Governor to reduce Wisconsin’s contribution to global warming.
Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts; and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and
available to all.
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is sponsoring its annual Wisconsin Solar Tour this weekend.
The tour showcases businesses and homes that are energy efficient, sustainable or are powered with renewable energies.
Organizers expect a big turnout this year as more and more people are looking to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes and look to alternative energy. On top of normal grants given out by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is giving additional tax incentives — typically up to 30 percent — to people doing such projects.
There are several Marathon County businesses and homes participating in the tour. For a complete list visit the-mrea.org.
The business portion of the tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Home tours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
If you’re in the Stevens Point area this weekend, Wisconsin Public Service, in conjunction with MREA, is sponsoring guided bus tours of local solar homes and businesses as part of the annual Wisconsin Solar Tour.
More information and registration details here.
