Green Bay garden turns "green" with holiday lights

From a story by Sarah Thomsen on WBAY-TV:

The city of Green Bay is going "green" for the holidays and encouraging others to do the same -- to save money and the environment.

At the Green Bay Botanical Gardens, tens of thousands of lights connected by two miles of extension cords bring the holidays to life in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It's a display even Clark Griswold couldn't top.

And this year it comes with a new "green" addition -- a 45-foot tall, steel-frame tree adorned with 20,000 LEDs.

Not only do LEDs use less energy, "The energy that's used to light the lights, were making sure that comes from renewable power sources," WPS president Charlie Schrock said.

Wisconsin Public Service sponsors the annual holiday display, and this year it's focusing on conserving money and energy using efficient lights.

"They use one-sixth the energy a normal light would, so they're very efficient," Schrock said.

Right now about half of the 200,000 lights in the botanical garden's display are LEDs. Eventually they will all be energy-efficient.

Next ECOS-FV meeting, Dec. 4

The next meeting of ECOS-FV will be our year-end holiday meeting, featuring a presentation: "How renters and home-owners alike can save money on the their energy bills” by Jeff Knutson of A-A Exteriors.

Place: Menasha Public Library, lower level room Company E (Corner of First and Racine streets)
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Free and Open to Public

Agenda
6:00 PM: Welcome followed by a year-end review of ’08
6:15 PM Group comments and discussion on activities for ‘09. What has worked, what has not, and what do you suggest for next year?
6:30 PM Sampling of treats!
6:45 PM Presentation by Jeff Knutson, followed by Q&A
7:45 PM Up-date by Kim Biedermann on Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Event in Jan ‘09
8:00 PM Adjourn for the holidays!

You are encouraged to bring a few snacks (hors d'oeuvres--finger snacks, chips/veggies/dip, bars, cookies) to share with for your fellow ECOS members to celebrate our activities this past year!

Hope we you see you there!

Oshkosh Area School District embracing green technology

From an article by Adam Rodewals in The Northwestern (Oshkosh):

It begins with the simple — turning off unused lights, reducing the heat at night.

But implementing the cultural change necessary to lift an entire school district onto the "green" bandwagon is no simple task.

The Oshkosh Area School District signed a contract with the state vowing to reduce its energy use by 10 percent. To get there, the district hopes to make a sweeping change, from simple habits of individuals to upgrading the core equipment that runs its schools.

"There are things going on in various levels of the district from the classrooms to the buildings and maintenance department," said Interim Superintendent Bette Lang. "This is a total district effort. Every student and employee can play a role in saving energy."

The contract is Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton's Energy Star School Challenge. Currently, 56 Wisconsin districts have signed the commitment to improve energy efficiency.

Four new priorities for Conservation Lobby Day

From an announcement issued by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters:

With a new legislative session comes new opportunities AND new Conservation Priorities! At the 11 Listening Sessions held around the state, local groups and citizens like YOU had a lot to say about which issues should be top priorities. In the end, only 4 can rise to the top.

In 2009-2010, the conservation community will be fighting to make sure:

+ Wisconsin adopts a strong statewide plan to tackle global warming.
+ Wisconsin returns to an Independent DNR Secretary and has timely DNR Board Appointments by the Senate.
+ Wisconsin develops a statewide plan to protect our drinking water.
+ Wisconsin creates standards for safe agricultural, industrial and municipal waste-spreading. . . .

On February 25th, 2009, join citizens from across Wisconsin at the state Capitol to tell legislators that you expect them to vote well on natural resource issues.

RSVP TODAY for Conservation Lobby Day on February 25th, 2009!

Tech colleges offer renewable courses

Most Wisconsin technical colleges offer courses or certificates in renewable energy technologies. The following list is not complete by any means, so check with each technical college for their offerings.

Northeast Wisconsin Tech College (Green Bay) offers three renewable energy certificates:
Renewable Energies-Solar;
Sustainable Design;
Biofuels.
More info.

MidState Tech College (Wisconsin Rapids) offers five
Bio-refinery Technician;
Renewable Electricity Technician;
Renewable Thermal Energy Technician.

Madison Area Technical College (Madison) offers a renewable energy certificate. Some of the courses are offered online from other institutions and some are face to face in Madison.

Lakeshore Tech College (Cleveland) has an approved associate degree in Wind Energy Technology.

Builders urge Alliant to offer more work (maybe in Neenah)

From an article by Paul Snyder in The Daily Reporter:

More than 1,000 construction workers lost their latest, best hope when the state rejected the $1.26 billion Nelson Dewey Generating Facility expansion, and now builders want an alternative.

“Especially in the times we’ve got, (losing the Nelson Dewey job) was devastating to the industry for all trades,” said Thomas Fisher, president and business manager of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council. “Everything right now is doom and gloom.”

But while opportunities were lost in Cassville’s Nelson Dewey job, they might be found in Neenah. In the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s rejection last week of Alliant Energy’s Cassville project, commissioners indicated their preference that the utility instead perform major expansion and conversion work to a Neenah natural gas plant it bought earlier this year.

The alternative first came to light in September when the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin and Clean Wisconsin Inc., both opponents of the Nelson Dewey project, said they preferred the Neenah option.

Both groups argued Alliant could convert the offline plant to a more efficient technology using waste heat that escapes through smokestacks to produce additional clean and inexpensive electricity.

Utility wants to spend $153 million on pollution controls at Sheboygan plant

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Pollution controls would be installed at a 23-year-old coal-fired power plant in Sheboygan at a cost of $153 million under an application filed with state regulators Friday by Alliant Energy Corp.

Wisconsin Power & Light Co., a subsidiary of Alliant, is seeking permission from the state Public Service Commission to install pollution controls that would reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 75%, the utility said.

The Edgewater 5 power plant along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan is a jointly owned plant, with Alliant owning 75% and the remainder owned by We Energies of Milwaukee. That means that if the project is approved, WP&L electric customers would pay $115 million and We Energies customers would pay $38 million for the project.

The project has a six-year payback period and would keep the coal plant that opened in 1985 open for another 45 years, WP&L said. If the PSC approves the work, the project would be completed by 2011.

The filing comes days after the Public Service Commission denied an Alliant request to build a new coal-fired power plant in Cassville in southwestern Wisconsin at a cost of nearly $1.3 billion.

Nitrogen oxide is a contributor to ground-level ozone, a contributor to smog that has been linked to asthma and other respiratory problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy future clearly not in coal

From an editorial in the Sheboygan Press:

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission sent a clear message last week that coal-fired power plants will probably not be a big part of Wisconsin's energy future.

Alliant, which provides electricity for much of Sheboygan County through Wisconsin Power and Light, lost its bid for a 300-megawatt plant near Cassville in southwestern Wisconsin. The 3-0 negative vote showed that the PSC is clearly concerned about the effect carbon emissions have on the environment, specifically global warming.

Eric Callisto, PSC chairman, said, "We are at a unique juncture in this country, and in Wisconsin, and decisions regarding new sources of electric generation need to account for the likely future costs of complying with constraints on carbon emissions."

This follows the lead set by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The governor's Task Force on Global Warming recommended reduction of carbon emissions and increased reliance on renewable power. Doyle himself came out against using coal at state-owned heating plants in Madison, saying, "We must chart a course that lowers greenhouse gas emissions and encourages new alternative energy sources."

To its credit, Alliant is already pursuing some of those new sources of electric generation in its wind power projects. The company also planned to use biomass as a partial fuel source for the Cassville plant: 80 percent coal and 20 percent switch grass, wood chips and cornstalks.

But that failed to sway the commission.

Nor apparently was the PSC influenced by Alliant's plans to close down the oldest coal-fired plant in the state, Unit 3 at the Edgewater Generating Station here in Sheboygan. Though this would reduce greenhouse gasses by about 500,000 tons a year — and make the air cleaner in Sheboygan — the Cassville plant would produce about 3 million tons. Opponents of the Cassville project were quick to cite this net gain in greenhouse gas production.

We endorsed the plan for Cassville last summer, in part because it meant cleaner air here with the closing of Edgewater's Unit 3, and because of the commitment to the use of fuel sources other than coal or natural gas. Those were and still are laudable goals. And we hope Alliant and other energy producers continue to pursue them. . . .

Eligibility relaxed for energy-efficiency assistance

More Wisconsin residents may now be eligible for Focus on Energy's assistance program which offers limited-income homeowners low-cost efficiency improvements to improve the comfort, safety and affordability of their homes. The assistance program called Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, is now seeking applications from homeowners with incomes between 150-250 percent of the poverty level, which is a significant increase from the past maximum of 200 percent. To put the new maximum into perspective, a family of four's maximum eligible annual income increased to $53,000 from the previous $42,400. . . .

Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, is part of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers qualifying homeowners a no-cost energy evaluation performed by a qualified program provider. Depending on the results of the evaluation, the home may receive energy efficiency improvements, such as adding insulation, finding and eliminating drafts, replacing an inefficient heating system, installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and more. Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR will pay 90 percent of the costs of the energy efficiency improvements - the homeowner pays just 10 percent.

Energy efficient homes save energy and money all year long. In summer, a home that's properly sealed and insulated stays cooler and more comfortable, reducing the need for fans and air conditioners during hot daylight hours. In winter, energy efficient homes keep warm air inside, improving comfort and reducing heating costs during Wisconsin's coldest months.

Homeowners wishing to apply for Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR are encouraged to call Focus on Energy at (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com to download an application.

The Modern American City: Can We Ever Make it Sustainable?

UW Fox invites you to the UW Fox Scholars Series
Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Foundation, Inc

Public Presentation
Monday, November 17
12 noon
UWFox Theatre

Dr. Gray is a member of the Center for Catalysis and Surface Science, Institute of Policy Research and the Transportation Center at Northwestern University. She received her Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1988 and worked as a research engineer for the Lyonnaise des Eaux in Paris, France for 2 years. She joined the Northwestern faculty in 1995 and since 2003 has been the Director of the Environmental Science, Engineering and Policy Program.

The Modern American City: Can We Ever Make it Sustainable?
The short answer to this question is "not at the rate that we are going." Yet, if we really wanted to, we could make great strides in the short term and with our current technical knowledge in the ways we use energy and resources. So what is stopping us? We'll begin by looking at the various perspectives on "sustainability," a term that means very different things to different people, and make the case for why this is a pressing issue to be addressed sooner rather than later. Then we will discuss the requirements and the feasibility of developing truly renewable energy sources, as well as the role of technology in finding solutions to the problem of sustainability. Deeper understanding of the structure and function of ecological systems is key to designing sustainable cities, such as examples of re-engineering the water cycle and a 100-year vision for the City of Chicago. Finally, sustainability requires that we address equity issues and the definition of prosperity across our own society as well as across the globe.

Campus guests should arrive early, as parking is at a premium. Parking is also available west of University Drive in the Saber Lanes lots.

UW Fox Scholars Series is open to the community without charge and presented with the financial support of the UW-Fox Valley Foundation, Inc.

Oshkosh Area School District joins Energy Star Challenge

From a media release issued by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton:

Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton today announced that the Oshkosh Area School District accepted the Lt. Governor’s Energy Star School Challenge, a commitment to reduce energy consumption by ten percent.

“School districts are true leaders when it comes to energy efficiency,” Lawton said. “Tight budgets demand it. I am proud that the leaders of the Oshkosh Area School District have accepted the challenge to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars and of the environment.”

“The Oshkosh Area School District is proud to be part of Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton’s Energy Star Schools Challenge,” said Oshkosh School District Interim Superintendent Bette Lang. “Our district is currently implementing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Green and Healthy Schools program at two elementary schools and the other 14 elementary schools will take the pledge to move into this program at their own pace, along with middle and high schools beginning to connect to this effort, during this month. We appreciate the Energy Star program for providing the tools and support to encourage and measure energy savings. ”
Lt. Governor Lawton issued her Energy Star School Challenge in April as part of her Green Economy Agenda.

Lawton said that her goal for the challenge is to commit at least 100 new
school districts, nearly 25 percent of all Wisconsin school districts, to reduce their energy costs by at least 10 percent.

Participating organizations simply agree to:
1. Make a commitment to improve energy efficiency by 10 percent or more.
2. Measure and track the energy performance of the district facilities where possible. Tools are available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program at no cost.
3. Develop and implement a plan consistent with the EPA Energy Star Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings.
4. Educate staff and community members about energy efficiency.

Local schools share million-dollar grant to train "green collar" workers

From a story by Jeff Alexander on WBAY-TV (Green Bay):

A plan to create a pipeline of skilled workers in Northeast Wisconsin's energy industry receives a major boost.

A federal grant of nearly one million dollars will help local technical colleges train -- and energy providers hire -- needed workers.

With about one-third of the region's power generation workforce set to retire in the next ten years, the grant announcement comes at the right time.

"As I look to the future," Wisconsin Public Service utility president and CEO Charlie Schrock said, "we're going to need people that know about renewable energy, about the state-of-the-art digital technology, all those things are going to be coming out of these schools."

Both Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Lakeshore Technical College say the federal grant allows them to expand programs and offer new degrees tied to the energy industry.

At a time when many jobs are being cut in different industries, experts say the energy industry is poised to take off.

"It's the next-generation careers, things have changed and there's some new technologies out there that have different demands on the workforce," Lakeshore Technical College president Michael Lanser said.

Jim Golembeski of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board agreed, "The whole energy industry presents a tremendous opportunity at this time and at this place. People are conscious of it, people are talking about it, and what this grant does more than anything is it builds the educational infrastructure."

The nearly million dollar grant from the U.S Department of Labor allows Lakeshore Tech to launch a Nuclear Technician program. NWTC will offer a two-year Utility Engineering Technician degree.

"We're going to be able to create those utility engineer technicians that are really the ones that do the work, set up the distribution, do the planning no matter what the energy source is," NWTC president Jeffrey Rafn said.

Whether it's nuclear, wind, solar or some other form of renewable energy, it's expected Northeast Wisconsin will need hundreds and hundreds of so-called "green collar" workers in the very near future.

Our public rail system and the jobs it provides are at risk

From a column by Wisconsin State Senator Dale Schultz:

As Wisconsin employers increasingly turn to our state’s rail roads to get their goods to a global market, state residents and communities enjoy the benefits of keeping jobs here, cleaner air from less truck emissions, and safer roads with less truck traffic.

Those benefits make our state owned railroad system a great investment and explain why I believe, despite a tough fiscal climate, we should increase funding to preserve the infrastructure of our public rail system in the next state budget.

Our public railroad system, which serves numerous communities, has been a great benefit by helping employers compete in the global market and keep family supporting jobs in Wisconsin.

The system also helps many villages and cities with their community development goals by generating increased tax revenues as employers invest in plant expansions and equipment.

In the past two years, in just the region I represent as a state senator, our public rail system has led to new jobs and tax base through major projects in Boscobel, Reedsburg and Rock Springs. For numerous state communities, rail service has been an essential asset to save jobs and create new jobs.

As rail shipping replaces thousands of truck trips, our roads last longer, our carbon footprint shrinks and we all breathe cleaner air.

The state helps communities and rail shippers save freight rail service through its Freight Rail Preservation Program. FRPP grants fund up to 80 percent of projects to rehabilitate tracks and bridges on public rail lines, buy essential rail lines so they aren’t abandoned, and save rail corridors for future rail service and sometimes as recreational trails in the interim.

While freight rail traffic is growing in Wisconsin, FRPP funding is falling far short of the needs. In the current state budget, FRPP funds met less than ten percent of the needs, forcing delays of badly needed projects on public owned rail lines. Since 1992, most FRPP funding went to add rail lines to our public system as a last resort to avoid loss of rail service for communities.

The allure of manure in Fond du Lac County

Posted at the Crave Brothers Farm near Waterloo, WI, a skematic shows visitors how a biodigester works. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

From a column in The Reporter (Fond du Lac) by Paul Dyk, UW-Extension dairy and livestock agent for Fond du Lac County:

I have an allure to manure.

Do you?

Surely nothing can be more appropriate in the final days of the political season.

You see the candidate, you hear the things they say, you hear the word "change" used as a noun, verb, adjective and pronoun; and yet, something smells not quite right.

Farmers have been dealing with manure for thousands of years. There is, of course, a stigma that has been applied to manure. It doesn't bring up favorable images. Think of the human equivalent.

Maybe agriculture needs to adopt some new names like animal septic systems, animal byproducts, green fertilizer or food byproducts. The farmer slang of "honey wagon" (yep, that's a wagon used to haul manure) seems like a good start, but I doubt folks off the farm will ever adopt that endearing term.

So what draws me to manure?

I am putting together a conference based on manure handling. It is fascinating the technology that is developing around manure. (OK, I know I am one of the few in the county that gets giddy when talking about manure technology.)

Private industry and agricultural producers are tackling manure issues with new and old technology.

One such technology is manure digesters, which have been around for a few years in Wisconsin. They let manure heat and produce methane. The methane is usually converted on the farm to electricity and sold back to the grid. New technology is cleaning and converting the methane to produce saleable products.

The fate of the remaining pathogen-free biosolids varies from farm to farm. They may be be used for bedding cattle (yep, that's recycling). Some biosolids are being sold to the potting/horticulture industry. And now there is ongoing research that points to the possibility of producing building products (like 2 by 4's and 4 by 8 sheets of "plywood") from these fibrous biosolids.

There is also some groundbreaking work being done in Wisconsin to filter and clean the water from manure. Like human sanitation systems, the goal is to produce clean, dischargeable water. This would be safe for the environment and public. For the farmer, it would vastly reduce handling costs (manure is about 88 percent water).

Dyk can be contacted at 929-3170 or e-mail paul.dyk@ces.uwex.edu.