Solar energy workshops set for Appleton

We Energies is partnering with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Focus on Energy, and local hosts to offer a series of seminars to provide information about generating renewable energy for homes and small business.

Solar Water Heating for Residential Applications covers solar water heating technology, site selection, system sizing, available financial incentives, and installer selection:

Aug. 6, 6:30 pm
Fox Valley Technical College
Bordini Center
5 Systems Drive
Appleton, WI 54912

PV Systems for Residential Applications covers solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, site selection, system sizing, available financial incentives and installer selection:

Sept. 10, 6:30 pm
Fox Valley Technical College
Bordini Center
5 Systems Drive
Appleton, WI 54912

Go to We Energies' Web site for more details.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton: Do your part -- buy renewable energy to power your home

From a column by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton posted on the Web site of The Capital Times:

Last week's Earth Day celebrations and the onset, finally, of spring weather gave us pause to revel in the beauty around us -- and to consider our responsibility to be good stewards of our most precious asset, the environment.

We walk down a path cleared by Wisconsin's own Gaylord Nelson, John Muir and Aldo Leopold. And we stand now in the threshold of opportunity delivered to us in the guise of global climate change and a pressing need for energy independence.

For too many of us, we aren't sure anything we do as individuals can possibly have an impact and change the course of what appears to be inevitable.

Two new initiatives in my Green Economy agenda provide you an easy point of entry and a powerful way to make a difference. The first is geared to all of us in our homes. You are likely one of the 2.3 million residential electricity customers in the state with access to what the utilities call "green pricing programs." Those programs offer you the option to purchase renewable energy to power your home at a small premium -- usually $10 or less per month.

When you enroll, you effectively prevent one ton of coal from being burned this year. If only 1,000 of us flipped the switch, it would be the equivalent of taking 300 cars off the road, preventing 3.28 million pounds of CO2 from filling the atmosphere. And as even greater numbers of us insist on renewable energy, we speed up development of those resources and the new jobs that go with that, even as we increase our energy independence and reduce carbon emissions. . . .

The second initiative is designed to help school districts across the state become more energy-efficient. I challenged the state's school district administrators to become Energy Star Partners in a program offered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the EPA, U.S. schools spend $6 billion a year on energy costs, more than they spend on textbooks and computers combined. Inefficient technologies and building design rob them of an average of 20 percent of that energy purchased. With energy costs rising, and losses due to the inefficiencies of Wisconsin's aging building stock, I aim to give school districts an easy way to begin to change operations and habits, and save money doing it.

Thirteen Wisconsin school districts have already enrolled as Energy Star Partners and enjoy impressive results. One district reports avoiding over $2 million in energy costs in just three years with a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption. They also report improved lighting and air quality. Another district started down this path planning to save enough money to fund a new roof. For all, savings become addictive, and they continue to explore new efficiencies. . . .

Keep blowing wind power forward

From an editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal:

The exciting possibility of harnessing significant wind power using giant turbines offshore on Lake Michigan moved closer to reality last week.

State officials said three developers are contemplating various ways to erect hundreds of wind turbines on the water that could transmit clean energy back to land.

The plans are only conceptual. Yet state officials are wisely encouraged and seriously exploring several options, potential costs and hang-ups.

Wisconsin is not a windy state. And attempts to build giant wind turbines on land in the past have faced fierce opposition from some neighbors who don 't like the look or sound of them.

That 's what makes the prospect to putting turbines on lakes Michigan and Superior so appealing. The wind over the lakes is notoriously strong. And if positioned far enough off land, the turbines won 't be visible to shoreline property owners who might otherwise object.

Photo from the National Renewable Energy Lab.

Ride free on Valley Transit on Earth Day, April 22

A press release from the City of Appleton:

On April 22, people from all over the planet will celebrate Earth Day. Residents of the Fox Cities can share in this worldwide effort by riding a Valley Transit bus, riding their bikes or walking to work.

Valley Transit is offering free rides all day, Thursday, April 22 in honor of Earth Day. Free rides will be honored on all Valley Transit routes including the Call-A-Ride service that serves the Town of Buchanan.

Statistics show that transit ridership reduces harmful emissions associated with single occupancy automobile usage. Valley Transit wants to help the residents of the Fox Cities do their part for the environment by offering Free rides for Earth Day.

“This is a great opportunity for Valley Transit to show how public transportation usage can benefit the environment and the community,” says Valley Transit Manager Chuck Kamp, “And by offering the Free rides we can make ‘being green’ a pretty painless exercise.”

According to the American Public Transit Association:

* "Compared with private vehicles, public transportation produces, on average, per passenger mile, 95% less carbon monoxide, 92% fewer volatile organic compounds, 45% less carbon dioxide and 48% less nitrogen oxide."

* "A single person commuting via transit, instead of driving alone, will save 200 gallons of gasoline a year."

* A 10% nationwide increase in transit ridership would save 135 million gallons of gasoline a year.

How big a role should renewable energy play in Wisconsin?

Excerpts from the Reader Reaction Forum in the Appleton Post-Crescent:

IF WE DO IT RIGHT: Renewable energy use should be maximized and that will happen when it makes economic sense, not when the government meddles in it. . . .

NEED WORLD EFFORT: We need to put forth all of our energy and resources toward renewable fuels not just in Wisconsin but worldwide. . . .

PRIVATE SECTOR: Renewable energy should play as big a role as is allowed by the free market. . . .

LONG OVERDUE: Is there any debate here? It boggles my mind that there is. Renewable energy has been a need for a generation, but we have done nothing.

Renewable energy financing workshops set, April 18 & April 25

From the Office of Energy Independence:

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the Office of Energy Independence will host two free renewable energy financing workshops for industry businesses and researchers. The workshops will provide information about the new Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund (WEIF), a renewable energy loan and grant program administered by Commerce, as well as other available renewable energy resources.

“I am pleased that Commerce is able to offer these free workshops as another step toward Wisconsin’s energy independence,” said Commerce Secretary Jack L. Fischer, AIA. “Governor Doyle’s Clean Energy Wisconsin plan calls for $15 million annually in grants and loans for research and development, commercialization or adoption of new technologies, and supply chain development.”

Information about how to apply for the WEIF program, eligibility, and program requirements will be explained at the meeting.

The workshops will be held in:

Madison: Friday, April 18 from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Commerce, 201 W. Washington Avenue.

Stevens Point: Friday, April 25, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., UW-Stevens Point, Legacy Room, Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve Street.

The application period for the first round of funding will run from April 1 to June 2, 2008. For application materials and more information about the program and a program fact sheet, visit the Department of Commerce.

The Office of Energy Independence (OEI) has additional information on other state programs, federal grants, and private funds available for clean energy and fuel-related projects. Contact David Jenkins, OEI, (608) 264-7651, DavidJ.Jenkins@Wisconsin.gov

Environment-Focused Charter Schools Workshop

You’re invited to an Environment-Focused Charter Schools Workshop.

Date: May 13, 2008 (Tuesday)
Time: 9:00am to 2:30pm
Site: OSHKOSH

Learn about educational programs and practices at “green” charter schools, integrated environmental curriculum, standards and accountability, charter eco-partners, and implementing a green charter school -- planning, grants, and start-up.

Sponsor: Oakwood Environmental Education Charter School

Registration: Only $25 per person, which includes program, lunch, and materials. Send name of registrant(s) and check payable to: Green Charter Schools Network, 5426 Greening Lane, Madison, WI 53705. Questions? Contact Senn Brown, GCSNet Executive Director, at 608-238-7491 or sennb@charter.net.

It's time to give wind energy a whirl

An editorial from the Appleton Post-Crescent:

Wind turbines will likely start dotting the landscape in Outagamie County. And we hope they will be a welcome sight.

EcoEnergy, a wind farm developer, is looking to put five 400-foot turbines in either the Town of Kaukauna or the Town of Freedom. The turbines that will serve Kaukauna Utilities will sit on customers' land, though no specific sites have been determined.

Wind energy is a good avenue for the needed move toward renewable energy. And we are working on a deadline. Gov. Jim Doyle and state scientific and industrial leaders plan for Wisconsin to generate 25 percent of its electricity and 25 percent of its transportation fuel from renewable sources by 2025.

However, you have to look no farther than Calumet County to see how a proposed wind development project can wreak havoc on a community. Dozens of well-organized residents have resisted the 100 turbines EcoEnergies wants to build on two large wind farms. They have voiced fears over how the noise and vibration from the turbines would affect their health and property values.

While it's reasonable for these residents to ensure that the wind farms are safe and as aesthetically pleasing as possible, we also know there is no perfect energy source.

Wind is one of the cleanest and also the fastest-growing energy source in the world, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And if you compare the aesthetics to what we currently have, power lines aren't exactly a pretty backyard amenity.

Looking at the big picture, as a nation and as a community, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels — today.

If that means starting with five wind turbines or 100, we have the opportunity to do our part to embrace a viable alternative energy source.

Solar power experiences its day in the sun

From an article by Dustin Block in The Daily Reporter:

Domenico Santilli shyly added a caveat to the fact that his company seen a 500 percent increase in sales of solar power systems this year.

“We’re basically growing from zero,” said the owner of Power Control LLC in New Berlin.

That said, 500 percent is 500 percent.

Solar power is “exploding in the Milwaukee area,” said Santilli, who started working with solar power systems two years ago in an effort to help the environment.

“I think we have to cut pollution,” he said. “Being in the business of electrical contracting, I’m working to try and do something.”

Santilli and other solar power contractors around the state are learning that switching to so-called “clean” electricity pays off with more than good feelings. The solar industry is booming in the state.

Solar power generation in Wisconsin has increased 80 percent per year over the past five years, according to Focus on Energy, a public-private program that works to promote energy-efficient homes and businesses in Wisconsin.

The annual growth is turning solar power into a significant player in the state’s energy market, said Niels Wolter, solar electric program manager with Focus on Energy.

Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund Announced

Gov. Jim Doyle has announced the kick-off of the $15,000,000 Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund, a loan and grant program for businesses and researchers developing products, processes and technologies in clean and renewable energy. It is a very important part of Gov. Doyle's efforts to make Wisconsin less dependent on foreign sources of energy and to boost our state's capacity to produce its own clean and renewable energy. Never has such a program been more needed than now. Rising petroleum and electricity prices have created a serious hardship for the people of our state and our country.

This new program will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

Applications will be ready online on April 1 or April 2.

Here is the link to get you started.

http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-WEIF.html

Application may be filed ONLINE, only. The deadline for applications is close of business on June 2, 2008. Awards under the loan and grant program will be made in August 2008.

We encourage you to consider applying or advising (if you are a law firm or
association) your members/clients of the availability of this program.

Dave Jenkins will be out of the office until April 2. Please call me at
608-267-
7854, or the folks indicated on the link at the Department of Commerce until Dave returns on April 2.

Thank you very much for your interest.


John Baldus
BioProduct Sector Specialist
Office of Energy Independence
17 West Main St. Suite 429
Madison, WI 53702
608.267.7854
http://power.wisconsin.gov

Wind project open house well attended in Outagamie County

Becky DeVries, reporter for WLUK FOX 11 (Green Bay), Becky DeVries reports on the EcoEnergy open house for its proposed wind project in Outagamie County.

An earlier article by Susan Squires in the Appleton Post-Crescent included details on the project:

The company, which is headquartered in Freeport, Ill., also is developing two projects in Calumet County. The Outagamie County project will cost about $15 million.The five turbines will serve Kaukauna Utilities and sit on utility customers’ land, said Curt Bjurlin, EcoEnergy’s Wisconsin project developer. Kaukauna Utilities is a municipally owned, nonprofit provider of electricity.

Although it has had preliminary conversations with landowners, the company hasn’t chosen any sites, Bjurlin said.

EcoEnergy doesn’t plan to make a formal presentation Thursday. Rather, it will have printed information and company representatives available to talk to officials, potential neighbors and property owners interested in leasing their land.

“The objective is to spend time talking about any questions or concerns people have,” Bjurlin said.

Proposals for two large wind farms, numbering about 50 turbines each, have caused enormous controversy and conflict in Calumet County, which EcoEnergy hopes to avoid with its small project in Outagamie County.

“There is an important distinction in that they (the small projects) are attached directly to the distribution line,” Bjurlin said. “The energy isn’t taken elsewhere.”

Outagamie County pegged for wind energy project

From an article by Susan Squires in the Appleton Post-Crescent:

A wind farm developer plans to put five 400-foot turbines in either the Town of Kaukauna or the Town of Freedom.

EcoEnergy, the developer, will hold a public open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Freedom High School.

The company, which is headquartered in Freeport, Ill., also is developing two projects in Calumet County. The Outagamie County project will cost about $15 million.

The five turbines will serve Kaukauna Utilities and sit on utility customers' land, said Curt Bjurlin, EcoEnergy's Wisconsin project developer. Kaukauna Utilities is a municipally owned, nonprofit provider of electricity.

Although it has had preliminary conversations with landowners, the company hasn't chosen any sites, Bjurlin said.

EcoEnergy doesn't plan to make a formal presentation Thursday. Rather, it will have printed information and company representatives available to talk to officials, potential neighbors and property owners interested in leasing their land.

"The objective is to spend time talking about any questions or concerns people have," Bjurlin said.

Proposals for two large wind farms, numbering about 50 turbines each, have caused enormous controversy and conflict in Calumet County, which EcoEnergy hopes to avoid with its small project in Outagamie County.

"There is an important distinction in that they (the small projects) are attached directly to the distribution line," Bjurlin said. "The energy isn't taken elsewhere."

Opposition to Windpower Pollutes Climate Policy

Commentaryby Michael Vickerman
Executive Director, RENEW Wisconsin
Almost two decades have elapsed since Dr. James Hansen, a scientist with NASA Goddard Space Institute, injected global climate change into the political bloodstream. “It’s time to stop waffling,” Hansen told a Congressional panel. “The greenhouse effect is here.”

Yet the United States is no closer to adopting an overarching policy to curb greenhouse gas emissions than it was in the summer of 1988. Much of this inaction can be attributed to the successful disinformation campaign underwritten by fossil energy interests like Exxon Mobil and the Western Fuels Association.

Aiding and abetting this campaign was a handful of contrarian scientists who publicly challenged the existence of a scientific consensus on global climate change.

Because these so-called “climate skeptics” possessed scientific credentials, reporters and commentators gave them equal time without performing any due diligence to ferret out the political agenda that lurked behind their public statements. Given nearly unlimited access to the media, climate skeptics successfully sowed doubt and confusion in the minds of decision-makers and ordinary citizens about the severity of the problem and the urgency for action.

While the climate change denial effort has lost steam in recent years, the disinformation tactics used in that campaign haven’t gone away. Instead, they are being retooled and redeployed to challenge the most visible manifestation of carbon reduction policies: windpower installations.

Wind generating capacity is increasing dramatically as more states adopt requirements on utilities to increase their supplies of renewable energy. But not everyone is welcoming this change, and those who don’t want to live near wind turbines are fighting back. In recent years, an Internet-based disinformation campaign has sprung up to both oppose individual wind projects and challenge windpower’s effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

An example of this lamentable trend is the Industrial Wind Action Group (www.windaction.org), which serves as a bulletin board for antiwind commentary and articles highlighting grass-roots resistance to specific windpower proposals. Among the myths this web site and others like it propagate is the contention that, contrary to the prevailing wisdom, zero-emission energy sources like wind actually create more carbon dioxide when their impact on the electric grid is taken into account.

The argument goes like this: the wind doesn’t blow all the time, therefore utilities have to build new coal and gas plants to provide back-up power whenever demand for electricity is high and the turbines aren’t spinning.

This is pure mendacity, but it’s also easily disprovable mendacity. As anyone who works at a utility can testify, wind projects do not require dedicated back-up power sources. That’s because utilities are required for reliability purposes to have enough capacity on reserve to accommodate record-breaking levels of demand, even when large power stations are off-line. And in Wisconsin, the reserve margin today is 18% above the highest peak recorded.

That margin is more than sufficient to accommodate all the wind generation that will be built to satisfy Wisconsin’s renewable energy requirements through 2015. Put another way, there is enough reserve capacity to back up We Energies’ 88-turbine project in Fond du Lac County and 11 others of similar size without any effect on system reliability.

According to another oft-repeated Internet myth, wind turbines do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions even when they are producing at full power. This preposterous assertion assumes that grid operators have no control over their generating units, and are unable to redispatch their plants to respond to fluctuating output from wind turbines. In reality, whenever wind is available to displace a fossil generator, a grid operator will shut it down. To do otherwise would add unnecessary costs to the electric system.

Outfits like the Industrial Wind Action Group don’t care if their arguments can’t stand up to scrutiny from energy professionals. That’s because they understand that very few people in state legislatures, county boards, and media outlets know how an electric utility systems works. Lacking the specialized knowledge that would help them filter out fantasy from facts, these decision-makers and opinion-shapers tend to deal with their confusion by giving wind opponents equal time. And when they do, they give the antiwind groups a platform that allows them to pollute with impunity the public discourse on clean, renewable energy.

As Dr. Hansen went on to discover, successful disinformation campaigns are the price we pay for living in a country with a low energy IQ.


Michael Vickerman is the executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, an organization advocating for a sustainable energy future. Michael Vickerman’s commentaries also posted on RENEW’s web site, RENEW’s blog, and the Madison Peak Oil Group’s blog.