Free bus from Milwaukee to Madison to testify on Clean Energy Jobs bill, Feb. 2

A legislative alert and free offer from the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin:WISCONSIN NEEDS THE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS BILL THIS SESSION! You are invited to join your neighbors who intend to “pack the house” at the state Capitol as the Legislature holds public hearings on the Wisconsin Clean Energy Jobs Act (AB 649/SB 450). We urge you to take advantage of a free bus ride to make your voice heard in Madison. Date: Tuesday, February 2Where: Bus leaves from the McKinley Marina parking lot, across from Alterra Café at the Lake, 1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. Parking is free.Time: Bus leaves Milwaukee at 8:00 a.m.Return: Bus begins the return trip from Madison at 3:00 p.m., arriving in Milwaukee at about 5:00 p.m.What will Happen: Info about the Clean Energy Jobs Act will be provided on the bus,...

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RENEW: Hearing trivialized Advanced Renewable Tariffs

From a letter from RENEW Wisconsin to Senators Jeff Plale and Mark Miller, co-chairs of the Select Senate Committee on Clean Energy, who held a hearing on the Clean Energy Jobs Act bill on January 27:Dear Senators Miller and Plale:Thank you for holding a hearing yesterday of the Select Committee on Clean Energy on SB 450 (the Clean Energy Jobs Act bill). You heard a great deal of substantive commentary about much of the bill, particularly the sections dealing with energy efficiency and the expanded Renewable Energy Standard.Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the discussion on the proposal to institute Advanced Renewable Tariffs in Wisconsin. Early in the hearing, a speaker framed the issue as “asking a little old lady in Cudahy to subsidize an expensive system in Mequon.” From that...

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Wisconsin lands $800 million for high-speed train

From an article by Tom Held in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Wisconsin will receive more than $800 million to build a high-speed rail line carrying passengers between Milwaukee and Madison at 110 mph and recapture a piece of a regional rail system largely abandoned six decades ago.The high-speed line could be up and running as early as 2013, the state says.President Barack Obama mentioned the federal investment in high-speed rail in his State of the Union speech Wednesday night and was expected to announce the specific awards for 13 projects nationally at an event in Florida on Thursday morning.A fact sheet issued by the White House lists the $810 million for the stations and track improvements necessary for the high-speed line connecting the state's two largest cities, along with improvements...

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Fact check: Business group's radio ad uses bogus global warming data

From an article by Lisa Kaiser in the Shepherd Express (Milwaukee):A new radio ad sponsored by the right-wing Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC)—attacking the proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act, just introduced in the state Legislature—is, as usual, full of misinformation. Voices of two anonymous women claim that the bill would cost the average Wisconsin family more than a thousand dollars per year and lead to job losses, as well as high electricity rates and gas prices. But that claim is based on an already debunked study by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), largely funded by the ultraconservative Bradley Foundation, and the Beacon Hill Institute, a free-market think tank that accepted more than $50,000 from the Bradley Foundation in 2007 to develop a “tax model” for Wisconsin....

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U.S. wind energy industry needs help from Congress

U.S. wind power capacity experienced growth of 39 percent last year but was not followed with green job growth as uncertainty about renewable energy policies and the global recession slowed overall production.The total installed capacity of new U.S. wind turbines accounted for more than 9,900 megawatts, which despite the recession is still the significant increase compared to 8,400 MW in the...

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Glacier Hills order includes protections for residents

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin issued its final order on construction of We Energies' Glacier Hills Wind Park. The order included, among others, several provisions to allow residences to seek remedies should they feel bothered by turbines in the project (numbering follows the numbering in the written PSC order, pages 48-54):10. WEPCO shall operate the project in a manner that meets noise limits of 50 dBA during daytime hours, and, upon complaint by an affected resident, shall be permanently reduced to 45 dBA during nighttime hours for areas related to the complaint. Nighttime hours are defined to include those hours between 10:OO p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, from April 1 through September 30. The requirement to meet the seasonally reduced nighttime noise limit shall be triggered by...

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Milwauke County still plans rapid transit bus service

From an article by Larry Sandler in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Despite a setback in the county budget process, Milwaukee County officials still are planning for enhanced express bus service, also known as bus rapid transit.County Executive Scott Walker's administration is preparing to give the County Board options in March for a one-route or two-route bus rapid transit system, using $36.6 million in federal funding, said Brian Dranzik, administration director for the county Department of Transportation and Public Works.That cash is the county's portion of $91.5 million in long-idle federal transit aid, which Congress divided between the city's planned streetcar line and the county bus system after local officials couldn't agree on how to spend it. The money legally cannot be spent on the...

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Business leaders want transit for SE Wisconsin

From a blog post on by Andrew Weiland in the BizTimes Milwaukee:Some of southeastern Wisconsin’s key business leaders said today that the creation of a regional transit authority to upgrade Milwaukee County’s bus system and create a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail is essential for the economic vitality of the region.Backed by some of area's most prominent business executives, Gov. Jim Doyle announced today new legislation to create a Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA).The plan includes a 0.5 percent sales tax increase in Milwaukee County to provide a dedicated funding source for the county’s financially troubled bus system.Business leaders said mass transit is needed to help people get to work and is a key amenity to attracting talented workers to southeastern Wisconsin.“This...

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From an editorial in The Jouranl Times (Racine):As one might expect, the release of Gov. Jim Doyle's energy policy and climate change bill has produced argument about how much harm or benefit it will produce, and there are dueling studies about the bill's effect. That is a side issue.We should embrace the goals of the bill if not necessarily every line because doing nothing is not an option. We can suffer some pain in the near term or the certainty of great pain later. This is fact for three reasons.First, some sort of cost will be attached to greenhouse gas emissions. Congress is considering its own climate change legislation, but even without that, the Environmental Protection Agency has already declared its intent to regulate those emissions under the Clean Air Act.Second, oil is not an...

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Group's anti-jobs report obvioulsy flawed

An article from the Sheherd Express: Over the next three months, the Wisconsin Legislature and governor will try to enact the Clean Energy Jobs Act aimed at creating new jobs and improving the air we breathe through a clean energy economic strategy. It is important for policy-makers to get multiple points of view on the table and all of the facts honestly presented to develop the optimal public policy for Wisconsin’s future. So it is unfortunate that the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), the child of the right-wing Bradley Foundation, put out a terribly flawed report two months ago—in fact, it was so bad that many thought it would be discarded immediately. Instead, this report, which, of course, came up with the results the business community desired, has been cited over and over...

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RTA plan would allow Milwaukee County sales tax for transit

From an article by Larry Sandler of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:South Milwaukee - Milwaukee County could create its own transit authority, funded by a sales tax of up to a half-cent, to take over the county's cash-strapped bus system, under proposed legislation unveiled Tuesday.The full 0.5% sales tax would bring in about $60 million a year, or roughly $20 million more than the Milwaukee County Transit System would need to end property tax support and meet its funding needs, bus system spokeswoman Jacqueline Janz said. The new transit authority would be required to use the additional money to restore bus routes cut since 2001, to increase service or to reduce fares.Planners have warned the bus system would face a major service cut without new state or local funding to replace property taxes.After...

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Wisconsin pays more if the state fails to act

From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:The Clean Energy Jobs Act will require trade-offs, but we're confident that the cost of the measure will be far less than if we stand pat.A bill just introduced in the state Legislature holds the promise of growing new technologies, new jobs and energy independence in Wisconsin. Its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing conservation efforts and renewable and alternative sources of energy are good public policy. They deserve widespread support in the Legislature and from citizens.The bill comes with costs, and the Legislature should do what it can to mitigate those costs to businesses and families, especially the neediest. But doing nothing in the face of the climate change that science says is already taking place will...

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Two green homes go on the market in Riverwest

From an article by Julie Lawrence at OnMilwaukee.com:Back in spring 2008, Pragmatic Construction, a Milwaukee-based green construction company aimed at advancing the principles of sustainable development within the urban environment, was knee-deep in a series of development projects but was still planning its path for a greener future in Milwaukee. Co-founder Steve Servais and his crew were just laying out the plans for two single-family homes in Riverwest that were slated to be among the state's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified platinum homes. . . .LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs and increase asset value, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, be healthier and safer for occupants and reduce harmful greenhouse...

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Wisconsin’s business community is a house divided

From a post by Steve Jagler on Milwaukee Biz Blog:The controversy over Gov. Jim Doyle’s proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act illustrates a deep philosophical divide that is emerging within Wisconsin’s business community.In some ways, the emerging chasm pits the politics of tomorrow against the politics of yesterday.On one side of the divide – in favor of the green jobs plan - stand the coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE) and the Wisconsin Business Council.The CREWE includes venerable companies such as CleanPower, Alliant Energy, EcoEnergy, Johnson Controls Inc., Xcel Energy, C5•6 Technologies, Axley Brynelson, Madison Gas and Electric, Orion Energy Systems, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin Energy Corp., Poblocki Sign Company, Emerging Energies of...

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SC Johnson continues to push the winds of change

From a news release issued by SC Johnson:RACINE, Wis., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- SC Johnson has launched a wind energy pilot program at their headquarters campus with the installation of three new wind turbines. Already known for its use of renewable energy at their manufacturing facilities around the world, this new pilot program is expected to help the company further reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) usage and raise awareness that renewable energy is not just for factories, but also office buildings in urban settings. The company also expects to gather useful information from the program that will help further its quest to continue to develop more sustainable solutions."The use of renewable energy is essential to making a difference in the world...

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We Energies' wind project will recharge state’s economy

IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 11, 2010MORE INFORMATIONMichael VickermanRENEW Wisconsin608.255.4044mvickerman@renewwisconsin.orgRENEW Wisconsin hailed today the Public Service Commission’s approval of what will become the state’s largest wind farm to be built in Columbia County. Known as Glacier Hills, the proposed 90-turbine project will produce approximately 400 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable electricity annually, while directing $648,000 a year in local aid payments to Columbia County and the townships of Randolph and Scott. “This project is certain to deliver a shot in the arm to wind-energy equipment suppliers, skilled laborers, and construction contractors throughout the state, not to mention area landowners and local governments,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of...

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Wisconsin wind-industry firms get stimulus tax breaks

From an article on BizTimes Daily:President Barack Obama today announced that his administration is awarding $2.3 billion in tax credits to the private sector for clean energy manufacturing projects across the country, including seven companies in Wisconsin that will receive $21 million in tax breaks.A total of 183 projects across the nation will receive the tax breaks, which are part of the federal economic stimulus package passed last year.The White House said the projects will create 17,000 jobs and will boost U.S. manufacturing of advanced clean energy technologies including solar, wind and efficiency and energy management technologies.The Wisconsin recipients of the tax credits are:Waukesha Electric Systems Inc. is receiving a $12.45 million tax credit to expand its plant in Waukesha...

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Doyle launches Clean Energy Jobs initiative

From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today was joined by business leaders, labor, legislators and environmental organizations as he launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state’s green economy and create jobs. New industry-recognized research shows the package will directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025. “Addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s about creating green jobs,” Governor Doyle said. “The Clean Energy Jobs Act offers new standards to help accelerate Wisconsin’s green economy. I am calling on the Legislature to update renewable portfolio standards to generate 25 percent of our fuel from renewable sources by 2025 and set a realistic goal of a 2 percent...

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Group says to ignore flawed energy analysis

From the introduction to a report issued by Wisconsin Environment:Madison – As the state of Wisconsin begins to consider the Clean Energy Jobs Act, legislation aimed at reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and creating new jobs in the clean energy economy, Wisconsin Environment Research & Policy Center released a new report today debunking recent claims made by special interest groups attacking the initiative. In the last month, opponents of the initiative have relied on a November 2009 paper by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute [WPRI], “The Economics of Climate Change Proposals in Wisconsin,” to suggest that transitioning the state to a clean energy economy would result in massive economic disruption. Wisconsin Environment RPC has provided a new, detailed analysis of...

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Milwaukee to get battery plant plus R&D center

From a news release issued by C&D Technologies:PRNewswire-FirstCall -- C&D Technologies, Inc. [headquartered in Blue Bell, PA], a leading producer and marketer of batteries, battery systems and integrated standby power systems, today announced that the company has been awarded a contract by the US Army for the development of large-format lithium-ion battery systems. The $19 million contract will span an estimated four year period from September 18, 2009, with the objective of developing large-format lithium-ion batteries that can meet the growing needs of the US Army for light-weight, high power density battery systems. The technologies developed under the program will also be utilized in meeting the needs of C&D’s commercial customers, with potential application to large-scale...

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Switch!

One of serveral posters from WWF. Click on picture to enlar...

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Wind energy sector - Wind energy development

Wind energy isn't something brand new, and as many of you probably know that wind energy use (windmills) has very long history of using it. If we look at the data for United States in 2008 we can see that twenty-two states have come up with the plans for the installation of 1650 windmills in the United States. Current estimates say how by 2014, wind power industry expected to rapidly increase ...

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Wind energy sector - How does the wind energy generate electricity?

The main purpose of each energy source is to generate electricity needed for our homes as well as for different industrial facilities. Current popularity of wind energy sector and tendency of many people to ensure green energy source to provide electricity for their homes have resulted in wish of many homeowners to have wind energy system installed, of course when possible.This is not only...

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Wind energy sector - Wind power costs

People as always when starting new energy projects, regardless whether they are renewable or not want to know the actual costs of these projects before deciding on them. What I need to say first is that wind energy costs are in reality a significant attraction to homeowners, especially when they discover how cheaply they can build their own wind turbines with commonly available materials.Wind...

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Wind energy sector - Conclusion

Obviously, the entire world needs energy and the energy demand is constantly growing. Non renewable energy looks to be slowly but surely losing its dominance, and some innovative ideas in technology have really helped boosting some renewable energy sources it he last five years or so, most notably solar and wind energy. By using wind energy instead of conventional one based on fossil fuels, you...

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Renewable energy classes announced for 2010

From the workshop page on the site of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association:MREA is a national leader in providing high quality education and training programs for consumers, businesses, and renewable energy system installers. For more than 18 years we have offered workshops, seminars, and conferences that demonstrate that renewable energy is practical, reliable, and ready for mainstream use. When you attend a MREA training you will: •learn from experts with years of practical experience, •receive curriculum that is based on nationally recognized standards, •meet other people with similar interests and values, and •have a great time. MREA Workshop Offerings:MREA offers workshops that cover a variety of topics in renewable energy. Come learn from experts in the field about subjects including:...

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