PSC should approve the settlement with We Energies

From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:The state Public Service Commission [PSC] appears to have taken a reasonable approach to We Energies' request for an increase in rates for electricity customers, granting some but not all of what the utility was asking. While any increase hurts consumers during a time of recession, the reality is that We Energies needs to cover costs related to building power plants, transmission lines costs and employee pensions.Wisconsin needs reasonable power costs to attract and retain businesses, but it also needs reliable power. The PSC is striving to make sure the state has both.But commissioners delayed making a decision on one aspect of the rate request. That delay could hurt Wisconsin consumers and the environment. Commissioners should reconsider,...

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Biofuels given boost in United States

Many people see biofuels as one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels, as United States is trying to become greener by developing its renewable energy sector. Biofuels, together with wind energy and solar energy, are becoming leaders in U.S. renewable energy sector, and U.S. government is also doing their part to promote these renewable energy sources. One of the best examples of what U.S....

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RENEW brief supports We Energies' wind park

From RENEW Wisconsin's brief filed with the Public Service Commission in support of the Glacier Hills Wind Park: The design of the proposed Project is in the public interest first and foremost because it will be powered by wind rather than fossil fuels. Wind energy is a locally available, self-replenishing, emission-free electricity source. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, must be imported, are available in limited quantities, and emit pollutants. Moreover, using wind energy furthers the State’s policy goal that all new installed capacity for electric generation be based on renewable energy resources to the extent cost-effective and technically feasible. Wis. Stat. § 1.12(3)(b). In his direct testimony, RENEW Wisconsin witness Michael Vickerman outlined a number of other public policy objectives...

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Port Washington OKs 'green' homes

From a post on Tom Daykin's blog at JSOnline:A proposed nine-lot subdivision, showcasing homes with solar energy panels, geo-thermal heating and cooling systems, and other features designed to save energy, has received conceptual approval from the Port Washington Plan Commission.Developer Mike Speas told me this morning that he plans to build homes with around 1,200 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sell them at around $200,000.The houses won't have finished basements, granite kitchen countertops and other amenities featured in comparably priced houses. But they will appeal to people looking to save a lot of money on their energy costs, Speas said.The houses also will have a traditional arts and crafts bungalow desi...

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Sierra Club & U.S. Green Building Council laucnh Cool Cities project

From a news release issued by the Sierra Club and the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance:Milwaukee--Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WIGBA) and Sierra Club’s Cool Cities program today announced the launch of the Green Building for Cool Cities collaboration. The partnership will leverage Cool Cities more than 200 local campaigns and USGBCs national network of 78 chapters to encourage new and retrofitted energy-efficient buildings, a key solution to global warming and to achieving the transition to a clean energy economy.The organizations released a step-by-step green building policy guide for communities of all sizes. The recommended policies range from basic to more advanced plans of action to address energy-efficiency and environmental sustainability through the built environment.Highlighted...

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How does nuclear power produce energy?

Many people are still not aware that nuclear power is one of the most important energy sources, second after the dominant fossil fuels. In fact a significant amount (nearly 17%) of the electricity produced for the world's energy demand is generated by nuclear power in nuclear power stations. There are even some countries (like for instance France) where the majority of the electricity comes from...

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The staggering cost of new nuclear power

From an article by Joseph Room on Center for American Progress:A new study puts the generation costs for power from new nuclear plants at 25 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour—triple current U.S. electricity rates!This staggering price is far higher than the cost of a variety of carbon-free renewable power sources available today—and 10 times the cost of energy efficiency (see “Is 450 ppm possible? Part 5: Old coal’s out, can’t wait for new nukes, so what do we do NOW?”The new study, “Business Risks and Costs of New Nuclear Power,” is one of the most detailed cost analyses publically available on the current generation of nuclear power plants being considered in this country. It is by a leading expert in power plant costs, Craig A. Severance. A practicing CPA, Severance is co-author of The Economics...

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Transition Wisconsin seeks board members

From an announcement from Transition Wisconsin:Transition Wisconsin is looking for individuals who would like to serve on the board or be a director for the Incorporation of "Transition Wisconsin" as a non-profit in the State of Wisconsin.Transition Wisconsin is currently a part of the Transition Movement looking to formalize it's involvement. It is currently involved, through its web presence, in providing people information on Peak Oil and Climate Change as well as opportunities for people to help make a positive transition to a world in which petroleum will become terminally in decline. Similarly, providing as much factual information concerning Climate Change is another priority. It is hoped that the infrastructure created would allow Wisconsin neighborhood, Town, Village or City communities...

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Milwaukee to get $5.8M in energy efficiency grants

From a news release issued by U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore:(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) today announced that Milwaukee will receive $5,839,100 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Recovery Act. These funds are intended to create local green jobs and help improve energy efficiency in communities across the country by reducing energy use and fossil fuel emissions.“This funding will make improvements in homes, businesses and municipal buildings that will help keep energy costs down,” Congresswoman Moore said. “Not only are these improvements important for personal, business and city finances, they also move Milwaukee toward better overall energy efficiency, create green jobs, reduce our environmental...

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Solar energy field remains strong in Wisconsin

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Given our climate, Wisconsin would never be mistaken for the best solar state in the country.But among non-Sun Belt states, the state is staking a claim in providing power from the sun.Except for California and Texas, Wisconsin is the only state with two cities - Milwaukee and Madison - in the national Solar America Cities program.A $19.6 million project for Roundy's Corp. in Oconomowoc would become the largest solar power project in the Midwest, if it gets $8.8 million in federal stimulus funding.And the state has more certified solar installers per capita than nearly every state in the country, according to Tehri Parker, executive director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. Even with the recession, the number of solar...

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Milwaukee a finalist for Spanish wind energy company

From a post by Tom Content on his blog at JSOnline:Milwaukee and one other city are in the running for a Spanish wind energy supplier as it considers its first manufacturing plant in the United States.The name of the firm and the name of the city competing against Milwaukee haven't been disclosed, but Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said the company was in the alternative energy business.State and city economic development leaders were in Spain this week for meetings with the Spanish firm. Brian Manthey, a spokesman for We Energies, said the team that headed to Spain brought along a representative of the utility who has expertise about wind energy.The company would be expected to create 100 to 200 jobs here, Sheehy said.Milwaukee is a finalist for...

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Renewable Energy Quarterly, Fall 2009, now online

RENEW Wisconsin's newsletter features these articles: + Doyle Signs Wind Siting Reform Bill into Law+ Solar Outlook Set to Dim in 2010+ PSC Approves Coal to Wood Conversion+ Producer Profile: Rick Adamski+ Educating Schools on Solar Air Heating+ RENEW Slams Anti-Wind Article+ Calen...

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Women of Wind to meet, November 19

Wisconsin Chapter of Women of Wind Energy Please join us for a November happy hour in Milwaukee!Thursday, November 19, 20095:00 - 7:00pmSugar Maple441 E Lincoln AveMilwaukee, WI 53207-1756414) 481-2393Come meet and network with others interested in the engagement, professional development and advancement of women in the wind industry.Please RSVP for the Milwaukee happy hour to amy@the-mrea.orgFeel free to invite others you think might be interested!And watch for information coming soon on a December event in Madison!Website: www.womenofwindenergy.orgemail: wisconsinwowe@gmail....

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We Energies coal plant hits milestone, generates power

From a Tom Content post on JSOnline:We Energies’ newest coal-fired plant is generating power, after “significant progress” in construction over the past three months, the company’s chairman said Thursday.The coal plant consists of two coal-fired boilers next to an older coal plant on Lake Michigan in Oak Creek. The first new boiler began burning coal earlier this month and has been running at 25% of maximum power in recent days, said Gale Klappa, We Energies chairman and chief executive.Bechtel Power Corp., the contractor on the project, also has made progress on building the second boiler, which is now 74% complete, Klappa said.The $2.3 billion project is the most expensive construction project in state history, as it’s roughly double the combined cost of building Miller Park and rebuilding...

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Milwaukee company selected to build Dane County digester

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:Dane County's first community manure digester, the first cooperative project of its kind in Wisconsin, will be built and operated by a Milwaukee-based company that plans to finance most of the project itself.By letting Clear Horizons, in partnership with SCC Americas, a global developer of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, operate the Waunakee community digester, the county is avoiding the financial risks and rewards."That was important to the farmers (who wanted) a separate company operating the digester," Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said of the county's decision. "We've chosen this model because Clear Horizons brings significant private dollars."Clear Horizons plans to privately finance everything except a...

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Real-time figures for renewable energy production

From the page of Active Installation Date on the Web site of We Energies:We Energies Renewable Energy Development Program partners with Fat Spaniel Technologies to show real-time production data from solar photovoltaic, solar hot water and wind renewable energy generation systems in the We Energies service territory. The Web page has links to the data on renewable energy production at the following installations:Solar Electric PhotovoltaicAscension Lutheran ChurchCooper School Energy Producing Home GE HealthcareGE Research Park HOPE Christian SchoolJohnson FoundationKettle Moraine Lutheran High SchoolMilwaukee Area Tech College - Oak CreekMilwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District MSOE: Fat Spaniel Tech MSOE MonitorNorth Shore Presbyterian ChurchOur Savior Lutheran ChurchOutpost Natural FoodsRacine...

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Most Americans would turn to solar energy

When planning and thinking about renewable energy future for your country it is always important to know public opinion, and the public opinion in United States suggests that vast majority of Americans wants to see further development of solar power across the whole country92% percent of Americans think that it’s important for the country to develop and use solar power, making this alternative...

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Nuclear power is a false solution to climate change

From a guest column by Al Gedicks in the Green Bay Press Gazette:The argument that nuclear power can contribute to reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that cause global climate change ("Ban on new nuclear power plants should be lifted" Oct. 16, Green Bay Press-Gazette) is flawed for three main reasons.First, nuclear power is not carbon-free electricity. At each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining, milling, enrichment to construction, decommissioning and waste storage, nuclear power uses fossil fuels and contributes greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate global climate change. Compared to renewable energy, nuclear power releases four to five times the CO2 per unit of energy produced.A recent study of solutions to global warming by Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford University...

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We Energies coal plant hits milestone, generates power

From a Tom Content blog post on JSOnline:We Energies’ newest coal-fired plant is generating power, after “significant progress” in construction over the past three months, the company’s chairman said Thursday.The coal plant consists of two coal-fired boilers next to an older coal plant on Lake Michigan in Oak Creek. The first new boiler began burning coal earlier this month and has been running at 25% of maximum power in recent days, said Gale Klappa, We Energies chairman and chief executive.Bechtel Power Corp., the contractor on the project, also has made progress on building the second boiler, which is now 74% complete, Klappa said.The $2.3 billion project is the most expensive construction project in state history, as it’s roughly double the combined cost of building Miller Park and rebuilding...

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Gas from landfill helping to power waste firm trucks

From an article by Steve Sharp in the Watertown Daily Times:JOHNSON CREEK - The operator of the massive Deer Track Park Landfill in the town of Farmington is continuing its exploration and implementation of new technologies to recover energy from waste stored at the site, as well as at others.According to representatives of Waste Management, which operates the Deer Track Park Landfill, gas from a California landfill is being transformed into liquefied natural gas to power recycling and waste collection vehicles. This is a project a Waste Management of Wisconsin official said signals a growing national interest in harvesting renewable energy from everyday waste.Waste Management, Inc., North America's largest waste services company, and Linde North America, a leading global gases and engineering...

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Optimizing Fleet Routes Decreases Fuel Costs

Discovering new ways to lessen our carbon footprint comes in many shapes and forms; from algae-based fuel substitutes to solar energy. Many 21st-century findings are aimed at long-term feasibility for increased efficiency, as to compete with oil companies. Meanwhile, who’s looking into short-term attempts to moderate the rate in which we use energy?According to Energy Bulletin, US Military...

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Businesses can get grants for energy efficiency efforts

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:MADISON, Wis. (November 2, 2009) — Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced new staffing grants today to help businesses, manufacturers, schools and government facilities throughout the state complete energy efficiency projects during the next calendar year.“Businesses don’t need to let staffing issues become a barrier to energy savings,” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Focus on Energy is committed to helping companies overcome barriers that prevent them from completing energy efficiency projects.”The grants will fund up to $100,000 for a full- or part-time employee or consultant to work onsite and manage energy efficiency projects that otherwise would...

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Dodge County residents say they don’t have complaints about digester

From an article by Christine Won from The Journal Times (Racine):TOWN OF PORTLAND - Several residents living near a Dodge County processing plant that converts manure into electricity said they don't notice odor problems or have any complaints.The dairy farm near Waterloo that has an anaerobic digester, like the one being proposed for Yorkville in Racine County to convert organic waste into methane gas to produce electricity, has gotten a positive response from its surrounding community since its installment in 2007, both residents and farm owners agree.Robert and Ruth Yerges live about half a mile east of the dairy farm. They smell about a fourth of the odor from manure than they did before the digester, Robert Yerges said. The digester was one of the best things for the dairy farm, Ruth...

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