- From the Farm Fresh Atlas of Eastern Wisconsin:
What is it? It is a non-profit regional publication in its 5th edition listing farms, businesses, farmers markets, artisans, institutions and events promoting buying and producing locally made foods and products.
What counties are included in the Atlas? Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Dodge, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Shawano, Sheboygan, Washington, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and the Oneida Nation.
Who can be included? Family and cooperatively owned farms and businesses purchase low-cost listings and display ads plus pledge to sustain the region's land and water; treat animals with care and respect; and sell locally produced or Wisconsin products.
Farmers markets, events and community gardens have a free listing that supports and promotes the pledge that farms and businesses make. They can also purchase low cost listings and display ads.
Supporters and sponsors can be individuals, businesses and organizations that want to be included in the Atlas promoting sustainable community development. Their donation is tax deductible, and they receive recognition in the Atlas.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Local food in Eastern Wisconsin
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Principles of urbanism
From the Web site of New Urbanism:
The principles of urbanism can be applied increasingly to projects at the full range of scales from a single building to an entire community.
1. Walkability
-Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work
-Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; on street parking; hidden parking lots; garages in rear lane; narrow, slow speed streets)
-Pedestrian streets free of cars in special cases
2. Connectivity
-Interconnected street grid network disperses traffic & eases walking
-A hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards, and alleys
-High quality pedestrian network and public realm makes walking pleasurable
3. Mixed-Use & Diversity
-A mix of shops, offices, apartments, and homes on site. Mixed-use within neighborhoods, within blocks, and within buildings
-Diversity of people - of ages, income levels, cultures, and races
4. Mixed Housing
A range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity
5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design
Emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, human comfort, and creating a sense of place; Special placement of civic uses and sites within community. Human scale architecture & beautiful surroundings nourish the human spirit
6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure
-Discernable center and edge
-Public space at center
-Importance of quality public realm; public open space designed as civic art
-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk
-Transect planning: Highest densities at town center; progressively less dense towards the edge. The transect is an analytical system that conceptualizes mutually reinforcing elements, creating a series of specific natural habitats and/or urban lifestyle settings. The Transect integrates environmental methodology for habitat assessment with zoning methodology for community design. The professional boundary between the natural and man-made disappears, enabling environmentalists to assess the design of the human habitat and the urbanists to support the viability of nature. This urban-to-rural transect hierarchy has appropriate building and street types for each area along the continuum.
7. Increased Density
-More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, to enable a more efficient use of services and resources, and to create a more convenient, enjoyable place to live.
-New Urbanism design principles are applied at the full range of densities from small towns, to large cities
8. Smart Transportation
-A network of high-quality trains connecting cities, towns, and neighborhoods together
-Pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and walking as daily transportation
9. Sustainability
-Minimal environmental impact of development and its operations
-Eco-friendly technologies, respect for ecology and value of natural systems
-Energy efficiency
-Less use of finite fuels
-More local production
-More walking, less driving
10. Quality of Life
Taken together these add up to a high quality of life well worth living, and create places that enrich, uplift, and inspire the human spirit.
The principles of urbanism can be applied increasingly to projects at the full range of scales from a single building to an entire community.
1. Walkability
-Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work
-Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; on street parking; hidden parking lots; garages in rear lane; narrow, slow speed streets)
-Pedestrian streets free of cars in special cases
2. Connectivity
-Interconnected street grid network disperses traffic & eases walking
-A hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards, and alleys
-High quality pedestrian network and public realm makes walking pleasurable
3. Mixed-Use & Diversity
-A mix of shops, offices, apartments, and homes on site. Mixed-use within neighborhoods, within blocks, and within buildings
-Diversity of people - of ages, income levels, cultures, and races
4. Mixed Housing
A range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity
5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design
Emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, human comfort, and creating a sense of place; Special placement of civic uses and sites within community. Human scale architecture & beautiful surroundings nourish the human spirit
6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure
-Discernable center and edge
-Public space at center
-Importance of quality public realm; public open space designed as civic art
-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk
-Transect planning: Highest densities at town center; progressively less dense towards the edge. The transect is an analytical system that conceptualizes mutually reinforcing elements, creating a series of specific natural habitats and/or urban lifestyle settings. The Transect integrates environmental methodology for habitat assessment with zoning methodology for community design. The professional boundary between the natural and man-made disappears, enabling environmentalists to assess the design of the human habitat and the urbanists to support the viability of nature. This urban-to-rural transect hierarchy has appropriate building and street types for each area along the continuum.
7. Increased Density
-More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, to enable a more efficient use of services and resources, and to create a more convenient, enjoyable place to live.
-New Urbanism design principles are applied at the full range of densities from small towns, to large cities
8. Smart Transportation
-A network of high-quality trains connecting cities, towns, and neighborhoods together
-Pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and walking as daily transportation
9. Sustainability
-Minimal environmental impact of development and its operations
-Eco-friendly technologies, respect for ecology and value of natural systems
-Energy efficiency
-Less use of finite fuels
-More local production
-More walking, less driving
10. Quality of Life
Taken together these add up to a high quality of life well worth living, and create places that enrich, uplift, and inspire the human spirit.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Appleton Culver's owner turns old fryer oil into fuel
From an article by Ricardo Arguello in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
CHILTON — The countless customers who flock to Culver's Restaurant on Westhill Boulevard in Appleton probably have no idea that they're helping the environment.
But every ButterBurger combo basket produces just a bit more fuel for owner Joe Nelesen's Ford Excursion and the two tractor mowers that cut 80 percent of the grass at his golf course, Hickory Hills Country Club.
Nelesen has outfitted the three vehicles to run on used vegetable oil, all of it from his Culver's restaurant. The odd energy source has people curious on how exactly it all works.
"A lot of times, people are really surprised," Nelesen, 68, said. "And you know, they're kind of happy to see that it's alternative energy. It's usually after a round of golf that they want to look at the tractor, the filter system."
CHILTON — The countless customers who flock to Culver's Restaurant on Westhill Boulevard in Appleton probably have no idea that they're helping the environment.
But every ButterBurger combo basket produces just a bit more fuel for owner Joe Nelesen's Ford Excursion and the two tractor mowers that cut 80 percent of the grass at his golf course, Hickory Hills Country Club.
Nelesen has outfitted the three vehicles to run on used vegetable oil, all of it from his Culver's restaurant. The odd energy source has people curious on how exactly it all works.
"A lot of times, people are really surprised," Nelesen, 68, said. "And you know, they're kind of happy to see that it's alternative energy. It's usually after a round of golf that they want to look at the tractor, the filter system."
Monday, July 28, 2008
Solar hot water as good in Wisconsin as Arizona
From the Web site of the Sustainable Green Bay Initiative:
Did you know that a home solar water heating system is just as efficient here in Wisconsin as one is in Arizona? Even though Arizona gets more sunshine than Wisconsin, our colder water temperatures mean the solar device works just as efficiently. A solar water heater can save about 65% of the energy from a conventional water heater. The solar collector can be installed flat on a south facing roof and look from the ground like a skylight.
Learn more at the Solar Hot Water Workshop, August 6 in Appleton.
Did you know that a home solar water heating system is just as efficient here in Wisconsin as one is in Arizona? Even though Arizona gets more sunshine than Wisconsin, our colder water temperatures mean the solar device works just as efficiently. A solar water heater can save about 65% of the energy from a conventional water heater. The solar collector can be installed flat on a south facing roof and look from the ground like a skylight.
Learn more at the Solar Hot Water Workshop, August 6 in Appleton.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Outagamie villages targets of new program on energy-efficient practices, conservation
From an article on WISinfo.com:
APPLETON — The Outagamie County University of Wisconsin-Extension is launching an outreach project to create consumer awareness and behavior change related to energy efficiency of buildings.
Through an internal $5,000 grant, the Extension office is offering to exchange a free compact fluorescent light for a working incandescent light bulb, to owners of residential, business, farm and nonprofit buildings.
The Extension will offer the free publication "In-home Energy Audit Tips To Save You Money" and coupons from Wisconsin Focus on Energy for purchase of additional CFLs.
The project targets the villages of Bear Creek, Black Creek, Nichols and Shiocton, plus the towns of Black Creek, Deer Creek and Maple Creek.
"By focusing on a compact geographic area, we hope to see greater adoption of conservation measures than would result from a scatter-gun approach", said project co-organizer Jim Resick of UW-Extension.
"We aim to help reduce energy consumption in these communities, most importantly to save consumers some money that will in turn circulate in the local economy. But we also see this project as supporting the state goals of having more energy-independent communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Project partners WeEnergies, Franklin Energy and Focus on Energy offer technical assistance and financial incentives for many conservation investments. . . .
For more information or to request a light bulb exchange for buildings in the target area, call Hansen at 920-841-7521 or the UW-Extension office at 920-832-5122.
APPLETON — The Outagamie County University of Wisconsin-Extension is launching an outreach project to create consumer awareness and behavior change related to energy efficiency of buildings.
Through an internal $5,000 grant, the Extension office is offering to exchange a free compact fluorescent light for a working incandescent light bulb, to owners of residential, business, farm and nonprofit buildings.
The Extension will offer the free publication "In-home Energy Audit Tips To Save You Money" and coupons from Wisconsin Focus on Energy for purchase of additional CFLs.
The project targets the villages of Bear Creek, Black Creek, Nichols and Shiocton, plus the towns of Black Creek, Deer Creek and Maple Creek.
"By focusing on a compact geographic area, we hope to see greater adoption of conservation measures than would result from a scatter-gun approach", said project co-organizer Jim Resick of UW-Extension.
"We aim to help reduce energy consumption in these communities, most importantly to save consumers some money that will in turn circulate in the local economy. But we also see this project as supporting the state goals of having more energy-independent communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Project partners WeEnergies, Franklin Energy and Focus on Energy offer technical assistance and financial incentives for many conservation investments. . . .
For more information or to request a light bulb exchange for buildings in the target area, call Hansen at 920-841-7521 or the UW-Extension office at 920-832-5122.
Feingold announces funds for energy job training in northeast Wisconsin
From a media release issued by Sen. Russ Feingold:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced today that Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, WI received a grant for nearly $1 million to support the New Energy Project aimed at training the next generation of workers for Wisconsin’s energy industry. On March 24, 2008, Feingold sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao supporting the grant application of Lakeshore Technical College.
“This grant recognizes that Lakeshore Technical College’s New Energy Project is uniquely positioned to help meet Wisconsin’s job growth and energy needs,” Feingold said. “It demonstrates that Wisconsin can be a leader in the development of a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for workers in the high-growth energy industry.”
Lakeshore Technical College was one of only 11 awardees chosen from 172 applications to the High Growth Job Training Initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor. Feingold has been an avid supporter of programs to grow jobs in the energy sector, including the Green Collar Jobs Initiative that seeks to provide training and create jobs with the goal of producing energy efficient buildings, solar panels, wind turbines, advanced technology vehicles and renewable biofuels and energy.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced today that Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, WI received a grant for nearly $1 million to support the New Energy Project aimed at training the next generation of workers for Wisconsin’s energy industry. On March 24, 2008, Feingold sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao supporting the grant application of Lakeshore Technical College.
“This grant recognizes that Lakeshore Technical College’s New Energy Project is uniquely positioned to help meet Wisconsin’s job growth and energy needs,” Feingold said. “It demonstrates that Wisconsin can be a leader in the development of a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for workers in the high-growth energy industry.”
Lakeshore Technical College was one of only 11 awardees chosen from 172 applications to the High Growth Job Training Initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor. Feingold has been an avid supporter of programs to grow jobs in the energy sector, including the Green Collar Jobs Initiative that seeks to provide training and create jobs with the goal of producing energy efficient buildings, solar panels, wind turbines, advanced technology vehicles and renewable biofuels and energy.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Renewable energy wins starting spot at Lambeau
From an article by Andy Nelesen in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
Green Bay Packers home games are about to get a lot greener.
The team has signed on to use renewable energy to power Lambeau Field during home games this season. The plan includes the Aug. 3 Family Night event and any postseason action.
The renewable power — generated by wind turbines near De Pere and Fond du Lac and bio-gas facilities in Northeastern Wisconsin — will cost about 15 percent more than standard power, but is another way the Packers organization is making Lambeau Field more environmentally friendly.
The team last year began recycling efforts that kept 6.6 tons of plastic, glass and cardboard out of landfills, said Jason Wied, the team’s vice president of administration and general counsel.
“This was a conscious decision we talked long and hard about,” Wied said Tuesday while announcing the initative. “We felt it was time as an organization and take the appropriate steps.”
“This is an ongoing effort,” Wied said. “We’ve been doing some of this for some time. We want to improve it as we go on.”
The Packers expect to use about 1.2 million kilowatt hours for game day efforts this year — enough electricity to power 140 homes for a year. Game day power usage is more than double the stadium’s usual energy usage.
Green Bay Packers home games are about to get a lot greener.
The team has signed on to use renewable energy to power Lambeau Field during home games this season. The plan includes the Aug. 3 Family Night event and any postseason action.
The renewable power — generated by wind turbines near De Pere and Fond du Lac and bio-gas facilities in Northeastern Wisconsin — will cost about 15 percent more than standard power, but is another way the Packers organization is making Lambeau Field more environmentally friendly.
The team last year began recycling efforts that kept 6.6 tons of plastic, glass and cardboard out of landfills, said Jason Wied, the team’s vice president of administration and general counsel.
“This was a conscious decision we talked long and hard about,” Wied said Tuesday while announcing the initative. “We felt it was time as an organization and take the appropriate steps.”
“This is an ongoing effort,” Wied said. “We’ve been doing some of this for some time. We want to improve it as we go on.”
The Packers expect to use about 1.2 million kilowatt hours for game day efforts this year — enough electricity to power 140 homes for a year. Game day power usage is more than double the stadium’s usual energy usage.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Energy costs fuel Green Bay School District deficit
An article by Kelly McBride in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
The Green Bay School District's 2008-09 budget shortfall is projected to be larger than initially expected, thanks in large part to high energy costs.
Officials initially had predicted a $4 million deficit for the upcoming school year, but now say the shortfall will be about $6.5 million instead.
The School Board on Monday considered the district's plan to address about $6 million of the gap.
"We're predicting about a 14 percent increase in our student transportation (costs), which is roughly $850,000," said Alan Wagner, assistant superintendent for business and finance. "Natural gas, we're budgeting about a 25 percent increase in that. That's about $300,000."
Health insurance costs also are up, Wagner said. The district's 2007-08 budget was just shy of $220 million.
The district's budget plan spares programming but does eliminate 34.8 full-time equivalent teaching positions by tightening staffing guidelines.
Most staff positions will be reduced through attrition, Wagner said, with the exception of seven special education paraprofessionals and 2.27 full-time equivalent elementary music teacher positions.
The district also plans to use two fewer buses for Preble High School, and eliminate two more by consolidating routes.
Some board members expressed concern with the Preble bus plan Monday, saying students would have to cross Mason Street, which could be dangerous.
"If safety was our number one concern, I'm kind of puzzled by this," said board member Judy DeCleene.
The Green Bay School District's 2008-09 budget shortfall is projected to be larger than initially expected, thanks in large part to high energy costs.
Officials initially had predicted a $4 million deficit for the upcoming school year, but now say the shortfall will be about $6.5 million instead.
The School Board on Monday considered the district's plan to address about $6 million of the gap.
"We're predicting about a 14 percent increase in our student transportation (costs), which is roughly $850,000," said Alan Wagner, assistant superintendent for business and finance. "Natural gas, we're budgeting about a 25 percent increase in that. That's about $300,000."
Health insurance costs also are up, Wagner said. The district's 2007-08 budget was just shy of $220 million.
The district's budget plan spares programming but does eliminate 34.8 full-time equivalent teaching positions by tightening staffing guidelines.
Most staff positions will be reduced through attrition, Wagner said, with the exception of seven special education paraprofessionals and 2.27 full-time equivalent elementary music teacher positions.
The district also plans to use two fewer buses for Preble High School, and eliminate two more by consolidating routes.
Some board members expressed concern with the Preble bus plan Monday, saying students would have to cross Mason Street, which could be dangerous.
"If safety was our number one concern, I'm kind of puzzled by this," said board member Judy DeCleene.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Four-day workweek for Outagamie County employees draws attention
From an article by Ed Lowe in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
T.G.I.F. would hold new meaning for hundreds of Outagamie County employees in the vision of County Executive Toby Paltzer, who sees wisdom in giving them Fridays off.
Paltzer's call last week for a study of shifting some or most of the county's full-time employees to four 10-hour workdays — Mondays through Thursdays — was born of financial necessity. The attempt to curb the county's spending on heating fuel could pay other dividends, he says.
The idea, which Paltzer said is widely popular among the county employees, is for now only the subject of an internal study. Even so, it's drawing attention throughout the state, especially among leaders of governments facing projected budget deficits caused, in part, by soaring heating fuel costs.
"I'm getting calls from Milwaukee and all over about this," Paltzer said. "This is a hot topic because in government we can't keep doing things like we have in the past. We need to start crunching the numbers to do something about these new costs for fuel."
Paltzer concedes his staff has prepared no estimates on the potential savings the shift would provide. The proposal, first reported by The Post-Crescent on July 10, warrants study, though, he said.
Not everyone is so sure. Grand Chute Town Chairman Mike Marsden, formerly the county's public works director, made that clear Tuesday when he urged his Town Board to go on record against the notion.
Bargaining chips
Marsden called Paltzer's scheduling proposal "bad business" in general and bad news for local governments in particular.
If the county adopts the four-day workweek, Marsden said, unions representing employees in surrounding communities will begin seeking the same perceived employment benefit.
"Once a municipality gives something (new) to employees … it creates a snowball effect," Marsden said.
Paltzer said simply studying the issue isn't a problem.
"It's not going to hurt anyone to take a look at it," Paltzer said. "We're not just going to jump into this full steam, but how will we know if we don't evaluate this?"
T.G.I.F. would hold new meaning for hundreds of Outagamie County employees in the vision of County Executive Toby Paltzer, who sees wisdom in giving them Fridays off.
Paltzer's call last week for a study of shifting some or most of the county's full-time employees to four 10-hour workdays — Mondays through Thursdays — was born of financial necessity. The attempt to curb the county's spending on heating fuel could pay other dividends, he says.
The idea, which Paltzer said is widely popular among the county employees, is for now only the subject of an internal study. Even so, it's drawing attention throughout the state, especially among leaders of governments facing projected budget deficits caused, in part, by soaring heating fuel costs.
"I'm getting calls from Milwaukee and all over about this," Paltzer said. "This is a hot topic because in government we can't keep doing things like we have in the past. We need to start crunching the numbers to do something about these new costs for fuel."
Paltzer concedes his staff has prepared no estimates on the potential savings the shift would provide. The proposal, first reported by The Post-Crescent on July 10, warrants study, though, he said.
Not everyone is so sure. Grand Chute Town Chairman Mike Marsden, formerly the county's public works director, made that clear Tuesday when he urged his Town Board to go on record against the notion.
Bargaining chips
Marsden called Paltzer's scheduling proposal "bad business" in general and bad news for local governments in particular.
If the county adopts the four-day workweek, Marsden said, unions representing employees in surrounding communities will begin seeking the same perceived employment benefit.
"Once a municipality gives something (new) to employees … it creates a snowball effect," Marsden said.
Paltzer said simply studying the issue isn't a problem.
"It's not going to hurt anyone to take a look at it," Paltzer said. "We're not just going to jump into this full steam, but how will we know if we don't evaluate this?"
Friday, July 18, 2008
Going Green - Sustainable Communities and Farms, Oconomowoc, Sept. 11-12
From Town and Country Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. (TCRCD):
Going Green – Sustainable Communities & Farms
Olympia Conference Center, Oconomowoc, WI
Do you want to learn more about a green lifestyle – healthier for you and for the planet? Join us for an invigorating two days of discussion, learning, networking, and great local food! Whatever your focus – urban or rural, local food or sustainable agriculture, conservation or preservation, individual or community – connect with other Wisconsinites working towards a more sustainable future, for us all.
Keynote Addresses
Climate Change Implications for Wisconsin
Dr. John Magnuson, Professor Emeritus,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Opening Event Address on Sept. 11th
Going Green at Johnson Controls
Mr. Clay Nesler, Vice President of Global Energy and Sustainability,
Johnson Controls
Dinner Banquet Keynote on Sept. 11th
Ecological Capitalism
Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus,
University of Missouri at Columbia
Morning Keynote Address on Sept. 12th
Register online.
Olympia Conference Center, Oconomowoc, WI
Do you want to learn more about a green lifestyle – healthier for you and for the planet? Join us for an invigorating two days of discussion, learning, networking, and great local food! Whatever your focus – urban or rural, local food or sustainable agriculture, conservation or preservation, individual or community – connect with other Wisconsinites working towards a more sustainable future, for us all.
Keynote Addresses
Climate Change Implications for Wisconsin
Dr. John Magnuson, Professor Emeritus,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Opening Event Address on Sept. 11th
Going Green at Johnson Controls
Mr. Clay Nesler, Vice President of Global Energy and Sustainability,
Johnson Controls
Dinner Banquet Keynote on Sept. 11th
Ecological Capitalism
Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus,
University of Missouri at Columbia
Morning Keynote Address on Sept. 12th
Register online.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Save dates for conservation priority-setting sessions
From the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (WLCV):
Dear Conservationist,
Before you know it, the election will have come and gone, and state legislators will be headed back to the Capitol to begin another legislative session. Will they spend their time catering to special interests, or will they tackle Wisconsin’s pressing conservation issues? And how will they know WHICH conservation issues are priorities?
From polluted lakes and toxic waste to energy use and mercury pollution, there is certainly no shortage of issues for legislators to choose from.
Now that the 2007-2008 legislative session has ended, it’s time to pick the Conservation Priorities for 2009-2010. In order to get YOUR FEEDBACK, we will be holding 11 Conservation Listening Sessions around the state in August and September. If you are a member of a conservation organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend and share YOUR OPINION!
Two years ago, after a series of Listening Sessions around the state, local groups and citizen like you helped pick 4 Conservation Priorities, including Reauthorizing the Stewardship Fund–a key land preservation program–and Protecting the Great Lakes from Water Diversions with a Strong Great Lakes Compact. Because these issues were top concerns of citizens, they became top priorities for legislators as well.
If you are a member of a organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend one of the 11 Conservation Listening Sessions and share YOUR OPINION!
An RSVP is not required, but would be appreciated. Please RSVP to jessica@conservationvoters.org and tell us which city you’ll be attending.
Minocqua
Thursday, August 7
6:30-8:00 pm, Minocqua Community Center, 415 Menominee St., Board Room–Third Floor (Town Hall building)
Kenosha
Tuesday, August 12
6:30-8:00 pm, 3520 30th Ave, Gateway Biosciences Bldg, Room 120
Wausau
Wednesday, August 13
6:30-8:00 pm, UW-Marathon County, Room 194, (entrance near Marathon County Park)
Ashland
Thursday, August 14
6:30-8:00 pm, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, 29270 County Hwy G
Green Bay
Wednesday, August 20
6:30-8:00 pm, Downtown Library, 515 Pine Street, Downstairs
Eau Claire
Monday, August 25
6:30-8:00 pm, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Chippewa Room
La Crosse
Tuesday, August 26
6:30-8:00 pm, LaCrosse Public Library, 800 Main St, Auditorium A
Sheboygan
Wednesday, August 27
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 710 N. 8th St, Rocca Room
Appleton
Monday, September 8
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 225 N. Oneida St.
Madison
Tuesday, September 16
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin, Room 204
Milwaukee
Wednesday, September 17
7:00-8:30 pm, UW-Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd, Room 181
You can help make sure the conservation legislative agenda reflects Wisconsin’s strong natural resource values. Come and share your ideas at the Conservation Priority Listening Sessions!
Dear Conservationist,
Before you know it, the election will have come and gone, and state legislators will be headed back to the Capitol to begin another legislative session. Will they spend their time catering to special interests, or will they tackle Wisconsin’s pressing conservation issues? And how will they know WHICH conservation issues are priorities?
From polluted lakes and toxic waste to energy use and mercury pollution, there is certainly no shortage of issues for legislators to choose from.
Now that the 2007-2008 legislative session has ended, it’s time to pick the Conservation Priorities for 2009-2010. In order to get YOUR FEEDBACK, we will be holding 11 Conservation Listening Sessions around the state in August and September. If you are a member of a conservation organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend and share YOUR OPINION!
Two years ago, after a series of Listening Sessions around the state, local groups and citizen like you helped pick 4 Conservation Priorities, including Reauthorizing the Stewardship Fund–a key land preservation program–and Protecting the Great Lakes from Water Diversions with a Strong Great Lakes Compact. Because these issues were top concerns of citizens, they became top priorities for legislators as well.
If you are a member of a organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend one of the 11 Conservation Listening Sessions and share YOUR OPINION!
An RSVP is not required, but would be appreciated. Please RSVP to jessica@conservationvoters.org and tell us which city you’ll be attending.
Minocqua
Thursday, August 7
6:30-8:00 pm, Minocqua Community Center, 415 Menominee St., Board Room–Third Floor (Town Hall building)
Kenosha
Tuesday, August 12
6:30-8:00 pm, 3520 30th Ave, Gateway Biosciences Bldg, Room 120
Wausau
Wednesday, August 13
6:30-8:00 pm, UW-Marathon County, Room 194, (entrance near Marathon County Park)
Ashland
Thursday, August 14
6:30-8:00 pm, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, 29270 County Hwy G
Green Bay
Wednesday, August 20
6:30-8:00 pm, Downtown Library, 515 Pine Street, Downstairs
Eau Claire
Monday, August 25
6:30-8:00 pm, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Chippewa Room
La Crosse
Tuesday, August 26
6:30-8:00 pm, LaCrosse Public Library, 800 Main St, Auditorium A
Sheboygan
Wednesday, August 27
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 710 N. 8th St, Rocca Room
Appleton
Monday, September 8
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 225 N. Oneida St.
Madison
Tuesday, September 16
6:30-8:00 pm, Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin, Room 204
Milwaukee
Wednesday, September 17
7:00-8:30 pm, UW-Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd, Room 181
You can help make sure the conservation legislative agenda reflects Wisconsin’s strong natural resource values. Come and share your ideas at the Conservation Priority Listening Sessions!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Look beyond old thinking to solve energy problem
From a letter to the editor of the Appleton Post Crescent:
. . . Asking "what can we do to lower the price of oil?" will return answers like "drill." This "Plan A" business-as-usual thinking ignores the certainties that our reliance on those resources underlies global warming and that oil is nonrenewable.
Plan A also implies that the United States is incapable of finding ways to be more efficient in our use of energy resources and to find cost-effective alternatives.
Somehow, Denmark and Germany can do so, but it's beyond us? How defeatist. How insulting.
How about if, instead, we ask, "What can we do to advance our country with non-polluting and renewable or perpetual energy resources?"
Plan B answers this question with a multitude of currently available options to use resources efficiently, reduce demand and employ alternatives.
Many technologies are ready now and more are coming. We could grow more world-class industries to build the efficient vehicles, turbines, building materials, etc., here rather than importing them from other countries.
We'd be a stronger nation for it.
Joy Perry,
Larsen
. . . Asking "what can we do to lower the price of oil?" will return answers like "drill." This "Plan A" business-as-usual thinking ignores the certainties that our reliance on those resources underlies global warming and that oil is nonrenewable.
Plan A also implies that the United States is incapable of finding ways to be more efficient in our use of energy resources and to find cost-effective alternatives.
Somehow, Denmark and Germany can do so, but it's beyond us? How defeatist. How insulting.
How about if, instead, we ask, "What can we do to advance our country with non-polluting and renewable or perpetual energy resources?"
Plan B answers this question with a multitude of currently available options to use resources efficiently, reduce demand and employ alternatives.
Many technologies are ready now and more are coming. We could grow more world-class industries to build the efficient vehicles, turbines, building materials, etc., here rather than importing them from other countries.
We'd be a stronger nation for it.
Joy Perry,
Larsen
Monday, July 14, 2008
Parts for wind farm take over Green Bay rail yard
An article by Richard Ryman in the Green Bay Press-Gazette:
Components filling the rail yard off Ashland Avenue in Green Bay are destined for a wind farm in Fond du Lac County.
Alliant Energy is using the rail yard as a staging point for moving the large wind-tower components from rail to truck for the final leg of a trip that started in Europe.
The parts are manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems, which has its headquarters in Denmark. The components are shipped to ports in Beaumont, Texas, and Stockton, Calif., and brought to Green Bay by train, where they are stored before being taken by truck to the town of Eden.
Wisconsin Power & Light, a subsidiary of Alliant, is building a 41-tower wind farm in the towns of Eden and Empire, southeast of Fond du Lac. Scott Reigstad, a spokesman for Alliant, said it will be the company's first fully owned and operated wind farm.
The 41 wind generators have capacity to produce 68 megawatts of electricity, or enough for 17,000 houses, Reigstad said.
Cedar Ridge Wind Farm will cover a 12.2 square mile area in the two townships.
Reigstad said the first turbine will be assembled later this month with a goal of having the wind farm operational by the end of 2008, or sooner if all goes well. Construction started in October 2007.
Alliant said it plans to add 400 megawatts of wind power to its portfolio by the end of 2010.
The components fill the rail yard between Sixth and Seventh streets and west of Ashland Avenue. They can be seen from the Ashland Avenue overpass. Reigstad said the towers come in two parts and the turbine blades are 135-feet long.
Components filling the rail yard off Ashland Avenue in Green Bay are destined for a wind farm in Fond du Lac County.
Alliant Energy is using the rail yard as a staging point for moving the large wind-tower components from rail to truck for the final leg of a trip that started in Europe.
The parts are manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems, which has its headquarters in Denmark. The components are shipped to ports in Beaumont, Texas, and Stockton, Calif., and brought to Green Bay by train, where they are stored before being taken by truck to the town of Eden.
Wisconsin Power & Light, a subsidiary of Alliant, is building a 41-tower wind farm in the towns of Eden and Empire, southeast of Fond du Lac. Scott Reigstad, a spokesman for Alliant, said it will be the company's first fully owned and operated wind farm.
The 41 wind generators have capacity to produce 68 megawatts of electricity, or enough for 17,000 houses, Reigstad said.
Cedar Ridge Wind Farm will cover a 12.2 square mile area in the two townships.
Reigstad said the first turbine will be assembled later this month with a goal of having the wind farm operational by the end of 2008, or sooner if all goes well. Construction started in October 2007.
Alliant said it plans to add 400 megawatts of wind power to its portfolio by the end of 2010.
The components fill the rail yard between Sixth and Seventh streets and west of Ashland Avenue. They can be seen from the Ashland Avenue overpass. Reigstad said the towers come in two parts and the turbine blades are 135-feet long.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Locally produced food offers a choice to chew on
From an article by Mike Hoeft in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
You'd think grocery stores would consider local farmers markets a competitive threat to their business.
But Festival Foods is one grocer that welcomes farmers markets onto its property. Farmers markets operate in parking lots outside three Festival Foods stores in Brown County through the summer.
"The response has been favorable," said Mark Skogen, president and chief executive officer of Festival Foods. The 10-store chain, started by his parents, first offered a farmers market at its Onalaska store years ago.
"The first thought is that it will put our produce department out of business," he said. But it hasn't. It draws a different type of customer or those who make additional purchases.
"It feels good to support local farmers," Skogen said. "If we had our way, we would have all local produce."
Dick's Family Foods in Wrightstown also hosts a farmers market on Thursday afternoons. Arkansas-based Wal-Mart announced efforts recently to buy local produce.
You'd think grocery stores would consider local farmers markets a competitive threat to their business.
But Festival Foods is one grocer that welcomes farmers markets onto its property. Farmers markets operate in parking lots outside three Festival Foods stores in Brown County through the summer.
"The response has been favorable," said Mark Skogen, president and chief executive officer of Festival Foods. The 10-store chain, started by his parents, first offered a farmers market at its Onalaska store years ago.
"The first thought is that it will put our produce department out of business," he said. But it hasn't. It draws a different type of customer or those who make additional purchases.
"It feels good to support local farmers," Skogen said. "If we had our way, we would have all local produce."
Dick's Family Foods in Wrightstown also hosts a farmers market on Thursday afternoons. Arkansas-based Wal-Mart announced efforts recently to buy local produce.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Congress must extend renewable energy tax incentives
From RENEW Wisconsin:
An Open Letter to Congress
By Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin
July 10, 2008
If you want to know more about the economic, environmental and security benefits from renewable energy development, look no further than my house in Madison, Wisconsin. A crew from a local solar contractor just finished installing a solar electric system that will, when activated, produce about one-half of the electricity used in our household. . .
As you very well know, federal tax credits have been the principal policy tool for accelerating renewable energy development in this country. Right now, most renewable energy technologies are more expensive than fossil fuels, but the federal incentives level the economic playing field, providing breathing room for solar, wind and biogas to mature and become cost-competitive with more established energy resources. This has been especially true with wind generation, which has expanded from 6,500 megawatts in January 2005 to over 19,000 today. This tripling of windpower capacity in less than four years could not have happened without the production tax credit being in place during that time.
How critical is the solar tax credit in driving solar’s growth in the United States? If our middle-class household is at all representative of the solar-installing customer base, I can honestly say that the federal incentive was a necessary component to making that investment work for us. Had federal incentives not been available this year, our budget would have been insufficient to absorb the substantial up-front expense that comes with owning a solar energy system.
Indeed, when I compare the flurry of installation activity now with the near-dormant conditions that prevailed just three years ago, it’s clear that the federal tax credit has greatly expanded the size of the domestic solar energy market. . . .
The U.S. economy is on the ropes, and a lot of unpleasant policy trade-offs lie ahead. As the cost of fossil fuels escalate, and the housing sector and the automobile industry contract further, the U.S. can ill afford to skimp on the one energy pathway that can, with the proper policy support, create jobs by the thousands and convert capital into socially productive and sustainable enterprises. If Congress is truly serious about turning the economy around, reducing the trade deficit, making progress on climate change, and creating a more energy-secure America, it must extend the renewable energy tax incentives, preferably this month. No other action will accomplish so much, or cost so little.
Read the full letter on RENEW Wisconsin's blog.
An Open Letter to Congress
By Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin
July 10, 2008
If you want to know more about the economic, environmental and security benefits from renewable energy development, look no further than my house in Madison, Wisconsin. A crew from a local solar contractor just finished installing a solar electric system that will, when activated, produce about one-half of the electricity used in our household. . .
As you very well know, federal tax credits have been the principal policy tool for accelerating renewable energy development in this country. Right now, most renewable energy technologies are more expensive than fossil fuels, but the federal incentives level the economic playing field, providing breathing room for solar, wind and biogas to mature and become cost-competitive with more established energy resources. This has been especially true with wind generation, which has expanded from 6,500 megawatts in January 2005 to over 19,000 today. This tripling of windpower capacity in less than four years could not have happened without the production tax credit being in place during that time.
How critical is the solar tax credit in driving solar’s growth in the United States? If our middle-class household is at all representative of the solar-installing customer base, I can honestly say that the federal incentive was a necessary component to making that investment work for us. Had federal incentives not been available this year, our budget would have been insufficient to absorb the substantial up-front expense that comes with owning a solar energy system.
Indeed, when I compare the flurry of installation activity now with the near-dormant conditions that prevailed just three years ago, it’s clear that the federal tax credit has greatly expanded the size of the domestic solar energy market. . . .
The U.S. economy is on the ropes, and a lot of unpleasant policy trade-offs lie ahead. As the cost of fossil fuels escalate, and the housing sector and the automobile industry contract further, the U.S. can ill afford to skimp on the one energy pathway that can, with the proper policy support, create jobs by the thousands and convert capital into socially productive and sustainable enterprises. If Congress is truly serious about turning the economy around, reducing the trade deficit, making progress on climate change, and creating a more energy-secure America, it must extend the renewable energy tax incentives, preferably this month. No other action will accomplish so much, or cost so little.
Read the full letter on RENEW Wisconsin's blog.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Menasha utility helps power state toward renewable energy goal
A media release issued by Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. (WPPI):
WPPI members are helping the State of Wisconsin to reach its renewable energy goals. Together, the WPPI member municipal electric utilities of Boscobel, Menasha, Plymouth, Richland Center, River Falls and Waupun – each of which hosts a state facility – will sell a total of 33,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy per year to the state. This energy is supplied from renewable resources secured by WPPI for its members and bid jointly through WPPI to the state for the major state facilities served on the WPPI system, as part of the utilities’ environmental stewardship program.
“WPPI is pleased to support Wisconsin's leadership in promoting clean, renewable energy resources,” said President and CEO Roy Thilly. “Our members are making a major contribution to help the state meet its renewable energy needs, demonstrating the ability of local communities to join together to meet environmental and energy challenges.”
In 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act into law (2005 Wis Act 141) requiring key state agencies and university campuses to purchase 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources now and 20 percent by the end of 2011.
Over the next ten years, the state will purchase electricity from renewable sources equal to 10 percent of the energy consumed by the Department of Health and Family Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration, Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin System.
Under the renewable energy purchase power agreements with WPPI’s members, Wisconsin will purchase green power for:
Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (Boscobel)
University of Wisconsin (Fox Valley, Menasha)
Kettle Moraine Correctional Facility (Plymouth)
University of Wisconsin (Richland Center)
University of Wisconsin (River Falls)
Waupun Correctional Institution (Waupun)
The renewable energy from WPPI’s members will provide approximately 80 percent of the total electric usage for the six state facilities.
WPPI members are helping the State of Wisconsin to reach its renewable energy goals. Together, the WPPI member municipal electric utilities of Boscobel, Menasha, Plymouth, Richland Center, River Falls and Waupun – each of which hosts a state facility – will sell a total of 33,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy per year to the state. This energy is supplied from renewable resources secured by WPPI for its members and bid jointly through WPPI to the state for the major state facilities served on the WPPI system, as part of the utilities’ environmental stewardship program.
“WPPI is pleased to support Wisconsin's leadership in promoting clean, renewable energy resources,” said President and CEO Roy Thilly. “Our members are making a major contribution to help the state meet its renewable energy needs, demonstrating the ability of local communities to join together to meet environmental and energy challenges.”
In 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act into law (2005 Wis Act 141) requiring key state agencies and university campuses to purchase 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources now and 20 percent by the end of 2011.
Over the next ten years, the state will purchase electricity from renewable sources equal to 10 percent of the energy consumed by the Department of Health and Family Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration, Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin System.
Under the renewable energy purchase power agreements with WPPI’s members, Wisconsin will purchase green power for:
Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (Boscobel)
University of Wisconsin (Fox Valley, Menasha)
Kettle Moraine Correctional Facility (Plymouth)
University of Wisconsin (Richland Center)
University of Wisconsin (River Falls)
Waupun Correctional Institution (Waupun)
The renewable energy from WPPI’s members will provide approximately 80 percent of the total electric usage for the six state facilities.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Workshop for HVAC contractors, Appleton, August 12
From Focus on Energy:
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy program, invites you to learn the results from recent surveys that answer these questions and more at one of several HVAC Programs Update Meetings to be held across the state.
Find out what your customers are telling us about:
What motivates their HVAC purchase choices
When and why they purchase
How happy they are with their contractors
PLUS, get the latest updates on:
New Focus on Energy efforts to promote high efficiency HVAC products
Changes to existing Focus HVAC programs
And more!
Register here.
Workshop dates and locations:
Appleton
August 12, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stone Cellar Brewery
1004 S. Olde Oneida Street
Eau Claire
August 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Best Western Trail Lodge
3340 Mondovi Road
Superior
August 11, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Shack Smokehouse & Grill
3301 Belknap Street
Wausau
August 12, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hereford & Hops Steakhouse
2305 Sherman Street
South Milwaukee
August 13, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Oak Creek Community Center
8580 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek
West Milwaukee
August 13, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Water Street Brewery
3191 Golf Road, Delafield
Madison
August 14, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WI Energy Conservation Corporation
431 Charmany Drive
Web conference
August 14, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy program, invites you to learn the results from recent surveys that answer these questions and more at one of several HVAC Programs Update Meetings to be held across the state.
Find out what your customers are telling us about:
What motivates their HVAC purchase choices
When and why they purchase
How happy they are with their contractors
PLUS, get the latest updates on:
New Focus on Energy efforts to promote high efficiency HVAC products
Changes to existing Focus HVAC programs
And more!
Register here.
Workshop dates and locations:
Appleton
August 12, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stone Cellar Brewery
1004 S. Olde Oneida Street
Eau Claire
August 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Best Western Trail Lodge
3340 Mondovi Road
Superior
August 11, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Shack Smokehouse & Grill
3301 Belknap Street
Wausau
August 12, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hereford & Hops Steakhouse
2305 Sherman Street
South Milwaukee
August 13, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Oak Creek Community Center
8580 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek
West Milwaukee
August 13, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Water Street Brewery
3191 Golf Road, Delafield
Madison
August 14, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WI Energy Conservation Corporation
431 Charmany Drive
Web conference
August 14, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Locally produced food offers a choice to chew on
From an article by Mike Hoeft in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
You'd think grocery stores would consider local farmers markets a competitive threat to their business.
But Festival Foods is one grocer that welcomes farmers markets onto its property. Farmers markets operate in parking lots outside three Festival Foods stores in Brown County through the summer.
"The response has been favorable," said Mark Skogen, president and chief executive officer of Festival Foods. The 10-store chain, started by his parents, first offered a farmers market at its Onalaska store years ago.
"The first thought is that it will put our produce department out of business," he said. But it hasn't. It draws a different type of customer or those who make additional purchases.
"It feels good to support local farmers," Skogen said. "If we had our way, we would have all local produce."
Dick's Family Foods in Wrightstown also hosts a farmers market on Thursday afternoons. Arkansas-based Wal-Mart announced efforts recently to buy local produce.
You'd think grocery stores would consider local farmers markets a competitive threat to their business.
But Festival Foods is one grocer that welcomes farmers markets onto its property. Farmers markets operate in parking lots outside three Festival Foods stores in Brown County through the summer.
"The response has been favorable," said Mark Skogen, president and chief executive officer of Festival Foods. The 10-store chain, started by his parents, first offered a farmers market at its Onalaska store years ago.
"The first thought is that it will put our produce department out of business," he said. But it hasn't. It draws a different type of customer or those who make additional purchases.
"It feels good to support local farmers," Skogen said. "If we had our way, we would have all local produce."
Dick's Family Foods in Wrightstown also hosts a farmers market on Thursday afternoons. Arkansas-based Wal-Mart announced efforts recently to buy local produce.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Solar installation proposed for Kaukauna utlity
In a media release about wind power from Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. (WPPI) mentions a proposed solar project for the Kaukauna utility:
Solar power is also a focus of WPPI’s renewable energy efforts, and WPPI is committed to funding community-based solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. In partnership with its member utilities, WPPI recently funded a number of solar PV projects to help power municipal buildings, schools and businesses in member communities. To date, WPPI has provided $87,000 in funding for projects and will spend another $217,000 for projects currently in progress. The projects are part of WPPI’s planned commitment to increase funding for energy efficiency and conservation. Over three years, program funding for energy efficiency conservation will increase by more than 300 percent, from $2.38 million in 2006 to $9 million in 2009.From the WPPI Web site:
Recently completed municipal solar energy projects include a PV installation at the high school maintenance garage in Lake Mills through a partnership between Lake Mills Light & Water and customer Crystal Farms; as well as the installation of PV solar panels at Lodi Utilities, River Falls Municipal Utilities, Stoughton Utilities and Waupun Utilities. Additional municipal projects are proposed for Kaukauna, Muscoda, Oconomowoc, Richland Center, Sturgeon Bay and Sun Prairie.
Solar PV systems collect energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity, providing renewable, emissions-free energy. These highly visible projects demonstrate the technology, while educating the community on their benefits, operation and performance.
WPPI is a regional power company serving 49 customer-owned electric utilities. Through WPPI, these public power utilities share resources and own generation facilities to provide reliable, affordable electricity to more than 190,000 homes and businesses in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Iowa.
WPPI is the fifth-largest electric utility in Wisconsin with annual revenues of more than $306 million, assets totaling more than $542 million and a portfolio of valuable transmission and power supply contract rights.
WPPI supplies electricity to approximately 60 percent of the load served by municipal electric systems in Wisconsin, based on energy sales.
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