Show off your system!

From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association:Interested in showcasing your new renewable energy installation at your home or business? Sign-up for the Wisconsin Solar Tour, October 3 & 4, 2008. Open your doors, and help others learn about renewable energy, green building and sustainable practices. Fill out the online application....

Read more »

Commentary on ethanol

...

Read more »

Energy: A challenge to us all

An editorial from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Former Vice President Al Gore’s recent call for the nation to produce all electricity from wind, solar and other renewable sources within 10 years appears unattainable, energy wonks have been quick to note. And we appear to be part of that naysaying pack.In the editorial above, we commend Gov. Jim Doyle’s Task Force on Global Warming for setting goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2022 and a 75% reduction by 2050. That’s not zero in 10 years.We commend those Wisconsin goals because they are “realistic,” as in doable, but that doesn’t mean that we oppose speeding things up.We put those quotation marks around the word because we also realize that citing “realism” often has been just another way of slowing progress. So, here’s...

Read more »

Solar Decade Conference set for Oct. 23 in Milwaukee

From the preliminary agenda for the Solar Decade Conference posted on the conference Web site:9:15 Opening Keynote Addresses: Solar Electric and Solar Thermal Experts10:30 Breakout Sessions Residential Solar Case Studies, Moderator TBD The Future of the Solar Electric Market, Speaker TBD Introduction to Solar Thermal Systems, Speaker TBD Starting a Solar Business Panel, Moderator Michael Allen, Energy Law Wisconsin 12:15 Lunch with presentations by University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's Solar Decathlon Team Solar Market Expert 1:30 Breakout Sessions Solar Green Building Case Studies, Moderator Sue Loomans, WGBA Introduction to Solar Electric Systems, Speaker Clay Sterling, MREA Solar Thermal - Technical Details, Bob Ramlow, Speaker Artha Sustainable Living Center Growing Wisconsin's Solar Businesses...

Read more »

US electricity production – 1996-2006 comparison

Electricity production in US is currently very hot subject because of rumors about building new nuclear reactors for electricity production. In this article you can read about electricity generation by energy source - Summary Statistics for the United States. Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy. "1996" "2006"...

Read more »

Green light on transit? Walker to seek funds for rapid bus lines

From an article by David Doege in The Business Journal of Milwaukee:Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker plans to seek $50 million in federal funds for two bus rapid transit lines that could help break the long-running stalemate over upgrades to the Milwaukee area’s transit system.The funds would be in addition to the $91.5 million in federal funds allocated to the Milwaukee area in the early 1990s that has gone unspent because Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett cannot agree on a revised mass transit plan. Business and community leaders have been pushing hard in recent months for an upgraded transit system to help the area’s economic development efforts and business climate.Walker said this week that he will meet in the next few days with officials from the Federal Transit Administration...

Read more »

Governors' meeting in Milw invites public participation

A meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord will meet in Milwaukee, July 29, 2008, 12:30- 4:30PM.According to the meeting Web site, during the breakout sessions:. . . a subgroup member will give a short presentation regarding the composition and work of the subgroup. There will also be time allotted where the presenter will solicit questions and comments from the audience.The Web site also explains the accord:Last November, nine Midwestern states and a Canadian premier signed the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord at a summit of governors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Realizing the unique and major impact that the Midwestern states play in the emissions of carbon, these governors wanted to institute Midwestern practicality in the debate on global warming....

Read more »

Healthcare execs place higher priority on energy efficiency than others, research shows

From a media release issued by Johnson Controls:MILWAUKEE, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and Johnson Controls, a global leader in creating smart and sustainable environments, announced new research on energy efficiency in healthcare. The results give the healthcare industry reason to celebrate. Not only do healthcare executives place a higher priority on energy efficiency than executives in other industries, they are more likely to expect to make improvements over the coming year. . . .Healthcare executives place greater importance on energy efficiency than others. Only 57 percent of respondents to the multi-industry study called energy efficiency "extremely important" or "very important," compared...

Read more »

Alliant faces resistance on coal plant proposal

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Alliant Energy Corp. has proposed to build an inefficient, more polluting kind of coal-fired power plant at a time when concerns are rising about emissions from such plants, a key opponent of the project said Wednesday.Alliant has proposed a $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion coal plant in Cassville in southwestern Wisconsin to help it meet rising demand for power. The utility is seeking state approval for the project, which is the third new, coal-fired power plant proposed in the state this decade.But Clean Wisconsin staff scientist Peter Taglia called on Alliant to follow the lead of other utilities, such as Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy Corp., that have committed not to build new coal plants because of their emissions of greenhouse...

Read more »

Videos on wind and solar

The Web site of We Energies offers videos on the experiences of real people with wind and solar installatio...

Read more »

Johnson Controls develops solar kits, ‘green’ design

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Glendale - Tapping the sun's rays for electricity has remained a small niche in the alternative energy arena.But with industry forecasts showing the market tripling or more over the next decade, Wisconsin's largest company wants to help shift perceptions so that energy from the sun is cast in a new, and more mainstream, light.Johnson Controls Inc. is rolling out new solar kits designed to make it easy for a school district or other customer to add some solar to their energy mix."This is our attempt just to take the mystery out of it" for customers, said Don Albinger, director of renewable energy programs for Johnson Controls. "It's meant to give them their first taste" of solar and their first chance to see their utility electric...

Read more »

Alternative Fuels - Fueling Stations

Alternative fuels are very popular lately because rising oil prices and very serious problems with global warming and climate changes. Most alternative fuels are ecologically more acceptable than petrol or diesel, but main motivator to change fuel type is still only money. Some alternative fuels are also very cheap compared to fossil fuels and that is very tempting for most drivers – save money...

Read more »

Focus on Energy seeks demonstration project on solar wall collector

From a demonstration project grant announcement by Focus on Energy:This Demonstration Grant provides financial support for the installation of commercially available transpired solar wall collector systems, which are most commonly used in facilities needing large volumes of make-up air. Focus on Energy seeks applicants with an ideal site to install, assess and promote the use of this little-utilized solar technology. This special Demonstration Grant will give priority to highly visible installations at building sites of organizations with an educational mission. Public facilities with high levels of foot traffic and a means of raising awareness about the technology are encouraged to apply. Examples of highly visible locations include municipal buildings, nature centers, schools, colleges,...

Read more »

Volunteer Opportunity: Solar energy, Maroon 5 and you - August 23

From the Vote Solar Initiative:We are looking for a few volunteers to help out with a fun project.Vote Solar will be the "headlining" non-profit on Maroon 5's summer U.S. tour (you can check out their music at www.maroon5.com). There will be Vote Solar banners up around the auditoriums, and the band is going to make a pitch for folks in the audience to check out the Vote Solar booth in the lobby. The purpose of the booth is to get their fans excited about solar energy, and get them signed-up as Vote Solarian activists.That's where you come in!Wisconsin Show:Marcus AmphitheatreMilwaukee, WIAugust 23, 2008 - Saturday7:00 pm We need a few lively, outgoing folks to staff this concert for Vote Solar. Basically the deal is this: in exchange for free entrance for you and one friend, you need to...

Read more »

Habitat for Humanity homes to get solar heated water systems

From a request for proposals issued for Habitat for Humanity homes:Habitat for Humanity, Focus on Energy, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and We Energies are accepting proposals for a market provider to perform the following work:Installation of up to three (3) systems on new Habitat for Humanity homes in Milwaukee. There will be six (6) total installations completed; two of the installations will be installed flush with the roof line on North/South running roofs. One will be installed flush with the roof line on East/West running roofs and three will be installed on tilted frames on East/West running roofs (these are suggestions – there is room for recommendations). We are also requesting that two of the systems be installed as drain-back systems – where if you apply to install three...

Read more »

Everything renewable and efficient

From Focus on Energy's Information Center:Focus on Energy's Information Center is your ultimate resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy tips and information. Enjoy free access to a library of product and equipment data, fact sheets, case studies, technology updates, industry best practices and more. Let Focus on Energy give you the information you need to make more informed energy efficiency and renewable energy decisions....

Read more »

Expect higher heating bills

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Consumers should expect energy price sticker shock to continue well past the summer driving season, as pain at the pump is poised to give way to furnace frustration next winter.The price of gasoline, above $4 for the past month, is on people’s minds — and it’s visible at nearly every major intersection. But another energy jolt may be coming as the price of natural gas, the primary fuel used to heat Wisconsin homes, is at historic highs for this time of year.Natural gas futures have jumped 82% since the start of the year. Heating oil and propane prices are also soaring.The increased natural gas prices already have resulted in electricity bills jumping twice since March for customers of Milwaukee-based We Energies and Green Bay-based...

Read more »

Buy products made from renewable energy!

From an article by Steve Kokette, signit2@hotmail.com, creator of the "Buy Products From Renewable Energy" bumper sticker and author of Money Saving Conservation Products and Projects for the Homeowner.Recently Governor Doyle suggested Wisconsin could become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy. Doing so would be extremely beneficial for the state in many ways, even if you're not a believer in global warming. Seventy percent of the U.S. economy is consumer driven, and if consumers started consciously spending their money on the thousands of products made with renewable energy, it could help clean the air, and the water. It feels strange living in an era when life often seems to be regressing in the very places it started. When I was young,...

Read more »

Waukesha family wins home energy makeover

From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:On Dec. 31, 2007 Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, launched a contest to find a Milwaukee area family with a home in need of energy efficient improvements. The contest, named Home Energy Makeover, was sponsored by Focus on Energy in partnership with WITI-TV FOX 6 and awarded one lucky winner with energy efficient improvements for their home, including insulation and air sealing, ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances and a new furnace, air conditioner and tankless water heater. . . .John and Corinne Kangas of Waukesha, Wis., were named the winners of the contest, valued at approximately $20,000, on Feb. 3, 2008 during halftime of the Super Bowl telecast. It wasn't long after the announcement that the Kangas...

Read more »

Miller supplier plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions

From an article in The Business Journal:Ball Corp. said Monday it intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 16 percent in the next four years. The Broomfield, Colo.-based manufacturer of beverage cans and bottles (NYSE: BLL) said the goal for cutting emissions is based on a 2002 baseline and will occur through improved energy efficiencies. The firm operates metal beverage and metal food packaging plants in Milwaukee. Ball disclosed the goal for 2012 in a report titled "Toward a Sustainable Future," which identifies areas where the company is trying to reduce its environmental impact. Ball said its primary focus is to make lightweight, recyclable packaging when feasible. Using lighter cans means less material is needed, fewer greenhouse gases are produced and less energy is needed for...

Read more »