Too popular Cash for Clunkers suspended

From an article in the Wisconsin State Journal:

WASHINGTON — The government plans to suspend its popular "cash for clunkers" program amid concerns it could quickly use up the $1 billion in rebates for new car purchases, congressional officials said Thursday.

The Transportation Department called lawmakers’ offices to alert them to the decision to suspend the program at midnight Thursday. The program offers owners of old cars and trucks $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. . . .

A White House official said later that officials were assessing the situation facing the popular program but auto dealers and consumers should have confidence that transactions under the program that already have taken place would be honored. . . .

Congress last month approved the Car Allowance Rebate System program, known as CARS, to boost auto sales and remove some inefficient cars and trucks from the roads. The program kicked off July 24 and was heavily publicized by car companies and auto dealers.

Through late Wednesday, 22,782 vehicles had been purchased through the program and nearly $96 million had been spent. But dealers raised concerns about large backlogs in the processing of the deals in the government system, prompting the suspension.

Cash for Clunkers kicks off

From a news release issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today kicked off a buyer incentive program designed to help consumers purchase new fuel efficient vehicles and boost the economy at the same time. The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), commonly referred to as Cash for Clunkers, is a new federal program that gives buyers up to $4,500 towards a new, more environmentally-friendly vehicle when they trade-in their old gas guzzling cars or trucks.

“With this program, we are giving the auto industry a shot in the arm and struggling consumers can get rid of their gas-guzzlers and buy a more reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle,” Secretary LaHood said. “This is good news for our economy, the environment and consumers’ pocketbooks.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also released the final eligibility requirements to participate in the program. Under the CARS program, consumers receive a $3,500 or $4,500 discount from a car dealer when they trade in their old vehicle and purchase or lease a new, qualifying vehicle. In order to be eligible for the program, the trade-in passenger vehicle must: be manufactured less than 25 years before the date it is traded in; have a combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less; be in drivable condition; and be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year before the trade-in. Transactions must be made between now and November 1, 2009 or until the money runs out.

The vehicle that is traded in will be scrapped. NHTSA estimates the program could take approximately 250,000 vehicles that are not fuel efficient off the road.

Rapids to get “green jobs” project employing young adults in home energy conservation

From a news release issued by the Department of Workforce Developing announcing a green jobs project in five Wisconsin cities, including Wisconsin Rapids:

. . .Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced a Wisconsin American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) project employing young adults in “green jobs” to help homeowners cut utility bills, saving money and energy.

“With this Recovery-funded pilot, we are employing young adults in ‘green jobs,’ opening the door to career opportunities,” Secretary Gassman said. “We are helping homeowners save money and conserve energy while protecting our environment.”

On behalf of Governor Doyle, Secretary Gassman officially unveiled the ARRA-funded “Energy Advocate Youth Pilot” at the home of DeCarlos and Michelle Nora in Beloit’s Merrill Neighborhood. As part of the announcement, she accompanied five “energy advocates,” as they inspected the young couple’s home and suggested ways to make the house more energy efficient. . . .

With federal ARRA funds, Governor Doyle provided for the employment of 25 individuals, who are 18 to 24 years of age, from low-income households, and meet one of six other criteria for disadvantaged youth. The project is one of many ARRA-funded efforts that will employ approximately 4,000 Wisconsin young adults statewide through June 2011.

Besides Beloit, five energy advocates will work in each of the following cities: Green Bay, Racine, Superior and Wisconsin Rapids, communities with high unemployment, predominantly older homes, and many young people seeking jobs. In June, Beloit had the highest unemployment rate, 18.6 percent. Milwaukee has a similar, independent project.

For more information about Wisconsin ARRA efforts, visit: http://recovery.wisconsin.gov
For more information about WECC’s Focus on Energy initiative, visit: http://www.focusonenergy.com

NewPage halts biofuel project in Michigan

From an article by Nathaniel Shuda in the Stevens Point Journal:

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- Although NewPage has discontinued work on a biofuels gasification project in Michigan, the decision does not affect a similar project in Wisconsin Rapids, a company spokeswoman said.

The Miamisburg, Ohio-based papermaker announced July 17 its plans to discontinue work on the project at its Escanaba, Mich., pulp and paper mill, citing poor market conditions in North America.

"While this type of new technology is exciting to consider, unfortunately, the escalating cost ... and the lack of demand for these products in our country doesn't support the feasibility of this project," Rick Willett, NewPage's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

In January 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded NewPage a $30 million grant to build a small-scale biorefinery in Wisconsin Rapids. Stora Enso North America originally submitted the request for federal money, which NewPage inherited when it bought the former Wisconsin Rapids-based company in December 2007.
Since then, company leaders have been studying how to proceed with the project, spokeswoman Shannon Semmerling said.

"We remain on target to have those findings by the end of the year," Semmerling said.

Kulp's of Stratford pitches solar roof upgrades

From an article by D.J. Slater in the Wausau Daily Herald:

A Stratford-based roofing company hopes its new venture will help residents and businesses go green even as the economy continues to slide.

Since mid-May, Kulp's of Stratford has offered residents and businesses the chance to upgrade their properties with solar roofing. The systems allow property owners to generate electrical power from the sun, which they can use and sell to utility companies.

The roof panels can either replace conventional roofs or be placed over an existing roof, said Bob Kulp, co-owner of Kulp's. The panels are designed to collect energy for about 30 years and last about 50 to 60 years before needing to be replaced, he said.

"We definitely see a bright future ahead for this service," Kulp said.

Kulp's midrange solar system, which are applicable for most homeowners, ranges from $20,000 to $30,000, but those costs can be cut by as much as 55 percent through federal tax credits provided by the Internal Revenue Service and grants from Focus on Energy.

Those incentives were enough to convince Edgar resident Debby Kregenow to invest in her own solar roof, which was installed last week.

"We figured, if we're going to put new money into a roof, why not go solar?" she said. "We are very happy with it."

Regional bus can connect central Wis.

From an editorial in the Wausau Daily Herald:

Ever since Lee Sherman Dreyfus came up with the term "ruralplex" to describe the way Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids could work together, it's been apparent that central Wisconsin can be more than the sum of its parts.

Over the years, we've consistently been in favor of initiatives to connect central Wisconsin's cities, whether that meant establishing Central Wisconsin Airport as the region's hub, encouraging University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to expand its offerings throughout the area, or even exploring the possibility of a regional jail.

But one of the most fundamental ways for the cities of central Wisconsin to be connected is simply to make it easier for people to get from one city to another.

Several area mayors have begun exploring options for creating a commuter bus line that would connect the area -- a loop through the southern cities of Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, heading north to CWA, Wausau, Marathon and Merrill. This is a project with the long-term potential to spur economic growth, and strengthen the cultural capital of central Wisconsin as a whole.

Central Rivers Farmshed

From the Web site of a new organization:

A farmshed is the network of people, businesses, organizations, and productive lands that create a local food economy.

Central Rivers Farmshed is a growing movement in Central Wisconsin to build and strengthen relationships between local farms, restaurants, retailers, and consumers.

To get involved, visit our wiki page at www.farmshed.pbwiki.com.

The site lists farmers' markets and other food related events.

Rapids mayor tapped for board of new organization to reduce green house gases

From a news release issued by Governor Doyle:

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced the creation of a new nonprofit organization, the Wisconsin Climate Change Action Initiative, Inc. (WCCAI), to build on Wisconsin’s strong efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Formation of the nonprofit organization was recommended in the report from Governor Doyle’s Task Force on Global Warming as a way to build upon Wisconsin’s national leadership on climate change. . . .

WCCAI will focus on providing education, practical advice and expertise to residents, communities and businesses on simple, effective steps to reduce our carbon footprint, without affecting comfort or productivity. This effort will complement existing programs like the Focus on Energy Schools and Government Program and the Wisconsin Energy Independent Community Partnership which are designed to achieve Governor Doyle’s goal of getting 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of our transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025.

Initial funding will be provided through a $5 million contribution from We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric and WPPI Energy under an agreement with Clean Wisconsin and Sierra Club to resolve outstanding permit issues related to the Elm Road power plants under construction in Oak Creek.

The initial members of the Board of Directors of the Initiative are:

Roy Thilly, WPPI Energy
Tia Nelson, BCPL
Gale Klappa, We Energies
Mark Redsten, Clean Wisconsin
Matt Frank, Secretary Department of Natural Resources
Judy Ziewacz, Director Office of Energy Independence
Paul Meier, UW Energy Institute
Clay Nessler, Johnson Controls
Roger Dower, The Johnson Foundation
Mary Jo Carson, Mayor, WI Rapids
Dave Gilles, Attorney, Godfrey & Kahn

Marshfield green reputation growing

From an article by Liz Welter in the Marshfield News-Herald:

The Sustainable Marshfield Committee is well on its way to bringing the city to the fore of communities in Wisconsin developing environment-friendly initiatives and programs, said Brian Driscoll, community development director at the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence.

The amount accomplished and current plans of the committee is impressive for a city of Marshfield's size, Driscoll said at a recent meeting of the Sustainable Marshfield Committee.

Through the committee's efforts, Marshfield was awarded a state 25x25 grant in January. The city is one of 23 communities to begin developing plans demonstrating the potential to reduce fuel consumption and use alternative fuels to reach the governor's goal of generating 25 percent of the state's electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by the year 2025.

As a result of the grant and other work completed by the Sustainable Committee, a contingent from Waupaca toured the city in the spring as they formulate plans for their own sustainablity committee.

"It's impressive that Waupaca would come here to learn from Marshfield," Driscoll said.

Court rules against Calumet County wind restrictions

From the written decision of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District 2 in ruling against Calumet County's restrictive ordinances that blocked the Ecker Brothers from adding turbines to the one already on their farm:

To encourage the use of renewable sources of energy, the legislature resolved to remove legal impediments to such systems in four ways: (1) codifying the right of individuals to negotiate and establish renewable energy resource easements; (2) clarifying the authority of, and encouraging, political subdivisions to employ existing land use powers for protecting access rights to the wind and sun; (3) creating a procedure for issuing permits to owners and builders of active solar and wind energy systems; and (4) encouraging political subdivisions to grant special exceptions and variances for renewable energy resource systems. Numrich, 242 Wis. 2d 677, ¶18 (citing Laws of 1981, ch. 354, § 1(2)(b)). No. 2007AP210913

These strategies indicate that the legislature determined it appropriate to give political subdivisions the power to assist in the creation of renewable energy systems and thus become an integral and effective factor in the State’s renewable energy goal. But, this history does not indicate that the State intended to delegate the power of policymaking. Instead, the evidence is that the State delegated the authority to execute and administer its established policy of favoring wind energy systems, and the statutory scheme was intended to create avenues for political subdivisions to assist the State. If the County and other similarly situated localities believe that localities should be able to decide for themselves whether and to what extent wind systems are welcome in their geographical area, their argument is best made to the legislature.

Because the legislature did not delegate legislative powers to localities, the County cannot make findings of legislative fact. The County thus exceeded its authority under WIS. STAT. § 66.0401 when it created its wind energy ordinance. We therefore hold the ordinance to be [beyond the authority of the county].

We reverse and remand with directions that the circuit court reconsider the Ecker Brothers’ declaratory judgment action given that the ordinance is [beyond the authority of the county].

Dehumidifier and room air conditioner turn-in program in Point and Wausau

An announcement by Wisconsin Public Service:

Green Bay, WI – For seven days, from July 15 – July 22, the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC), in partnership with Wisconsin Public Service, will provide $25 as an incentive to turn-in an older, inefficient, working dehumidifier or room air conditioner, $40 toward the purchase of a new Energy Star dehumidifier or room air conditioner, or $75 for both the turn-in and new purchase at selected sites in Green Bay, Wausau and Stevens Point.

Participating Retailers (limit: three units per customer)
•Green Bay - Best Buy, Gmack, Martin Hardware, Sears and Van Vreedes
•Wausau - Best Buy and Grebes Appliance
•Stevens Point - Best Buy and Sears

Customer questions can be directed to WECC at (800) 875-1335.

The program could end early if supplies of qualifying units are exhausted or extended through July if targets are not met.

For More Information, contact:
•WECC
(800) 875-1335
•Wisconsin Public Service Customer Service
800-450-7260

It’s Time to Bring Renewable Energy Home

From a commentary by Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin, July 12, 2009:

In a unanimous vote, the Public Service Commission (PSC) recently cleared the way for Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility to construct a 200 megawatt (MW) windpower plant project in southern Minnesota. Once operational, the Bent Tree project, costing upwards of $450 million, will be a productive source of renewable energy that will provide lasting benefits to Minnesota’s economy and environment. Since it will be Alliant’s Wisconsin customers who foot the bill, however, it is reasonable to inquire whether the current utility practice of outsourcing renewable energy production to other states is a good thing for Wisconsin’s economy.

Because we can’t see it, taste it, hear it or smell it, we tend to lose sight of the fact that electricity is a manufactured product. To make it, capital is amassed and expended on machinery that convert raw resources like coal, flowing water, and wind into this highly useful form of energy. The electricity is then transported via networks of wires to power factories, illuminate residences and streets, propel commuter trains, and energize the complex communications systems that allows to store vast quantities of instantly retrievable information. It is hard to name a manufactured product that adds more value to an industrialized society than electricity.

Yet electricity’s impact on the economy is not defined solely by the activities it supports. There is as well the intense amount of economic activity that goes into building the power plants themselves. In the case of Bent Tree, the capital used to manufacture, transport and erect 122 wind turbines will unleash a year-long burst of construction work in Freeborn County employing hundreds of skilled laborers and technicians. The work will also ripple through nearby component manufacturers involved with the project, as well as ports and other transfer points where components are unloaded and loaded onto special vehicles and hauled to the project zone. . . .

If Wisconsin truly desires to provide a home to a viable renewable energy economy, it will have to redefine the public interest standards that govern the expenditure of ratepayer dollars. This means giving such economic benefits as job creation, component manufacturing, workforce participation, increased tax receipts to local and state government, and reduced dependence on future transmission upgrades as much due consideration as cost per megawatt-hour. Granted, this is a form of industrial policy. However, if state policymakers don’t take steps to build a solid market structure for generating more renewable electricity here at home, Wisconsin’s ability to compete for good jobs and business opportunities could become hopelessly compromised.

Shawano council approves resolution supporting renewable energy

From an article by Tim Ryan from the Shawano Leader:

City officials Wednesday approved a resolution showing support for Gov. Jim Doyle’s goal of moving toward renewable energy, but not before several Common Council members expressed some reservations.

The resolution states the city is “committed to advancing the state of Wisconsin’s vision for energy independence by replacing 25 percent of the city of Shawano’s buildings and operations electricity use and 25 percent of its transportation fuels from renewable energy by 2025.”

Aldermen Brian Retzlaff and John Hoeffs voted against the resolution.

“Our governor took $45,000 away from us (in shared revenue) and increased our (landfill) tipping fees,” Retzlaff said. “I have a hard time supporting this when our governor actually is being two-faced with us.”

City Administrator Jim Stadler said the resolution was intended only as a show of support for the governor’s energy goals, not necessarily the governor, and could help the city in applying for renewable energy grants.

“This resolution will gain for the city some points in grantsmanship,” Stadler said.

The city previously voted to hire a consultant, at a cost of $5,000, to help apply for a potential $225,000 in renewable energy grant money.

UW-Point facility may receive biomass heating system

From an article by Nick Paulson in the Stevens Point Journal:

Treehaven, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's residential natural resources education facility near Tomahawk, is one of nine sites around the state partaking in feasibility studies for biomass heaters.

The study, being funded by Focus on Energy, is analyzing utility bills, the size of Treehaven, and estimated costs in both the short term and long term to determine whether it makes sense to install a system at the facility.

How much a new heating system could save in bills won't be known until the study is finished. But according to a report by the Biomass Energy Resource Center -- a national nonprofit organization being contracted by Focus on Energy -- two schools of differing sizes in Wisconsin both saved more than $50,000 in fuel costs in the first year after switching from natural gas to a biomass system.

Treehaven currently uses natural gas heaters, and while they are efficient, the chance to at least go through the feasibility study was too good to pass up, said Treehaven assistant director John Heusinkveld, even if the expected savings wouldn't reach the level found in the study.

"We're hopeful it's something we can at least put in to back up our regular heating system," Heusinkveld said. "If we get a large enough system and find the pathways, it could be the sole heating source for the property."

Focus on Energy is considering three types of systems for the project, depending on the results from each site, all of which would use wood as the main fuel. The fuel can be wood chips, wood pellets or split logs.

Officials urge state wind rules

From an article by Nathaniel Shuda in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:

Wisconsin Rapids officials are working to create a policy regulating small wind-energy systems but want legislators in Madison to create a statewide law for consistency.

With a planned 350,000-square-foot plant expected to produce large, industrial wind turbine blades, the city currently has no rules regulating smaller, more residential wind mills, Mayor Mary Jo Carson said.

"You've got to progress and get it done, so when your constituents have questions, you're prepared for that," said Carson, also chairwoman of the city's Planning Commission.

The city already received at least two requests from residents looking for guidance on erecting wind mills in their yards or on their roofs, she said.

City staff members have forwarded a proposed zoning ordinance to Wisconsin Focus on Energy for guidance but have not yet received a response, said Michael Ostrowski, the city's planning and economic development director.

At the state level, a similar policy has made it through the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities but still is before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy and Rail.

The bill would grant rule-making authority to the Public Service Commission to develop statewide regulations to govern small wind systems. Local ordinances cannot be more stringent than state regulations.

State Reps. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore, and Louis Molepske, D-Stevens Point, co-sponsored the bill. The effort also has garnered support from various Republican lawmakers, including state Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford.

"Our fear is that we pass this and then the state pushes through (a different version)," Carson said. "I really wish the state would get (going) here. We need to move on."

State investigates shutdowns at new coal plant

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

State utility regulators are reviewing the extent of a steam-generator tube problem with the coal-fired power plant that opened last year near Wausau.

The power plant experienced unexpected shutdowns late last year and early this year, with more expected this year to address the problem, according to the state Public Service Commission.

Wisconsin Public Service Corp. opened the $773 million power plant, the first coal plant built in the state in a generation, in June 2008.

At issue is whether WPS is eligible to pass along the cost of power it had to purchase late last year when the coal plant wasn't running.

Tim LeMonds, a spokesman for the Public Service Commission, said the steam generating tubes at the power plant have a tendency to clog, and the plant needs to take measures to keep the pipes clean to avoid future clogging.

Dennis Derricks, WPS director of electric regulatory policy, said the problem is a routine start-up issue that the company is addressing with the company that built the power plant, Babcock & Wilcox. According to Derricks, the power plant is still projected to operate 92% of the time, as the utility had projected when it proposed the plant.

The plant, one of two major coal plants built in the state, was recognized with industry awards including Plant of the Year by Power Magazine, an industry trade publication, and 2008 Best Coal-Fired Project by Power Engineering magazine.

Derricks said clogging isn't the best way to describe the problem. The tubes have an exfoliation problem that is common across the industry and is expected to improve this year.

"The outages going forward are to manage the amount of material that flakes off," he said. "The tubes are expected to season themselves and develop a coating over them" that helps address the problem, according to Derricks.

Fire stations go solar

Like Stevens Point's Fire Station No. 2 (above), all of Madison's fire stations generate solar hot water, as described in "Solar hot water douses rising energy costs at Madison’s fire stations," published by Focus on Energy:

. . .each of Madison’s 11 firehouses is equipped with a solar hot water system, serving anywhere from 45 percent to 60 percent of the buildings’ collective hot water loads and offsetting 205 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year.

Energy efficiency programs for apartments and condos

From Focus on Energy:

Whether you are a resident of an apartment or condominium, own apartment buildings, or are a condo owners' association, Focus on Energy has energy saving programs for you. Choose the program that is best for you.

Programs for Apartment and Condo Residents
The Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Program provides energy efficiency information for residents of apartments or condos. Whether you are looking for tips to keep your apartment comfortable and keep your energy bills low or need help finding ENERGY STAR® qualified products, we can help.

Programs for Apartment Owners
Focus on Energy's Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Program specializes in energy efficiency for new and existing multi-unit residential properties. Owners, developers and residents turn to us for the information, technical expertise and financial incentives to help them make their properties more energy efficient.

Video celebrates 10th anniversary of Kewaunee County wind farm

From a news release issued by Madison Gas and Electric:

MADISON, Wis. - (Business Wire) Wisconsin's first large-scale wind farm began producing clean, renewable electric power 10 years ago today in Kewaunee County. The 17-turbine, 11.22-megawatt facility built and owned by Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) is located near Rosiere. Since 1999, the facility has produced over 215,000 megawatt-hours of electricity, enough power to supply 3,000 homes annually.

The facility was built in direct response to MGE customers who wanted to purchase green energy for their homes and businesses. The wind farm's generating capacity available for green energy sales was sold out in less than four months. Over the last 10 years, MGE has increased its wind energy portfolio by 12 times as strong customer support for renewable energy continues. MGE customers have one of the highest participation rates nationally in green energy programming offered by investor-owned utilities.

"We are grateful to the landowners and communities that support this project," said Lynn Hobbie, MGE senior vice president. "We also thank the customers who have made our green pricing program so successful."

"In 10 years, wind generation has completed the transition from boutique energy to a bulk power," said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. "Early commitments to wind power from utilities like MGE helped make that happen and were instrumental to that industry's subsequent growth and maturation."

At the time, MGE's Rosiere facility was the largest wind farm in the Eastern United States. Today the wind farm is one of nine commercial facilities in Wisconsin. Wind-generating capacity in Wisconsin totals nearly 450 megawatts.