House votes to end $18 billion of tax breaks for oil and gas producers

Thursday, February 28, 2008

From the a story by Siobhan Hughes, Dow Jones Newswires, as posted on CNN Money:
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to repeal $18 billion of tax breaks for oil and gas producers and use the savings to finance tax incentives for wind-power projects, solar panels, and more energy-efficient cars.

The bill passed by 236-182, but faces long odds amid opposition in the Senate and a White House veto threat. But it allowed House Democrats to promote renewable energy as an alternative to high-priced oil and to take aim at the oil industry, which is in the midst of a profit boom as prices keep rising.

"We have the opportunity to invest in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency and grow our economy, creating new jobs," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Grist, the site for envrionmental news and commentary, had its own spin on the action:
Good Luck, Little Buddy
Renewable-energy bill passes House, likely to be short-lived

By a vote of 236-182, the House of Representatives has approved legislation that would boost renewable-energy tax incentives by repealing $18 billion in tax breaks currently enjoyed by oil and gas companies. Take a moment to enjoy that small victory, because the bill faces steep odds in the Senate, and President Bush has promised to veto it.

Biomass on the front burner for Wisconsin schools

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

From an article by Chris Vetter in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:

Eleven schools in Wisconsin are heated with biomass materials such as wood or corn.

Rod Nilsestuen, state secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, wants to see that number increase.

Nilsestuen spoke to 25 eighth-graders at DeLong Middle School on Tuesday about the growth in biomass energy in the state and opportunities to use it to heat schools.

About a third of the schools in the state would save money if they switched to a biomass heating system, Nilsestuen said.

School districts that need to replace boilers should look at biomass options. Implementing a biomass system would cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million, which is comparable to a fuel boiler, he said.

"The biggest hurdle is making it clear it works," Nilsestuen said. "Many schools can save $100,000 to $200,000 if they make use of wood."

Green -- Up to a point

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

From an article by Ben Elgin posted on the Web site of Business Week:

When 10 of the largest U.S. corporations and four environmental groups joined forces last January to lobby for federal regulations to restrict greenhouse-gas emissions, it was seen as a watershed in corporate environmentalism. The U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), comprising 27 companies from General Electric (GE) to General Motors (GM), won praise from enviros by endorsing cuts—10% to 30% of heat-trapping emissions within 15 years and 60% to 80% by 2050—to avert some of the severest consequences of global warming.

Behind the scenes, however, several companies that belong to USCAP are simultaneously supporting efforts and organizations that oppose mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases or promote policies that would make the USCAP reductions nearly impossible to meet. "Many of these companies want the image of being green but are putting their money on the other side of the issue," says Frank O'Donnell, president of Washington-based Clean Air Watch.

Divided Loyalties
Three high-profile USCAP members—General Electric, Caterpillar (CAT), and Alcoa (AA)—also sit on the board of the Center for Energy & Economic Development (CEED), an Alexandria (Va.) group formed in 1992 that opposes regulations on greenhouse-gas emissions. In April, 2007, CEED's board unanimously signed a position paper that, in part, described as "draconian" one federal climate bill that would require a 65% reduction in emissions by 2050.

Events and opportunities

Monday, February 25, 2008

ISTHMUS GET GREEN CHALLENGE
Submit an entry by March 14. Encourage anyone you know with an
innovative idea on greening life, saving energy, etc. to submit an entry.
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=21495

WI PARTNERS FOR CLEAN AIR AWARDS
Organizations or businesses can nominate themselves for this award,
showing they've taken steps to reduce air pollution. Perhaps one of the
outstanding bus advocacy groups around the state deserves an award?
Submit intent to nominate by March 14.
http://www.cleanairwisconsin.org/partnersmad.php

UW COMMUNITY TRANPORTATION FORUMS
Nelson Institute Community Environmental Forum
All of the following seminars take place at noon.
* March 7 -- Pollution / Climate Change / Technological Innovation
* March 28 -- Transportation Demand Management
* April 11 -- Planning and Financing Transportation
* April 25 -- Regional Transit
http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/outreach/community/schedule.htm

Peak Oil Task Force tells town to prepare for post-petroleum world

Friday, February 22, 2008

From an article by Bob Audette posted on Reformer.com:

BRATTLEBORO -- The world is running out of petroleum and Brattleboro better prepare itself for that eventuality. That was the message from the Peak Oil Task Force at Tuesday night's Selectboard meeting.

The group, part of Post Oil Solutions, was asked to give a presentation on its research into a world of declining petroleum supplies.

"There is a factual basis to peak oil and that, in fact, there is reason to believe that peak oil may have already occurred," said Rose Avenia of Townshend, reading from the task force's report.

Post Oil Solutions is a Brattleboro-based citizens group that has initiated a number of projects designed to build greater sustainability and community in the Windham County region.

Inspired by a similar group in Portland, Ore., the Brattleboro version of the peak oil task force is the first of its kind in Vermont, and was first proposed to the Selectboard in May 2007.

The members of the task force told the board that world crude oil production rates have plateaued at approximately 85 million barrels a day since December 2005, while demand has continued to rise.

The task force concluded that peak oil will have a direct bearing on the region's economic vitality, the ability of its residents to make ends meet and the capacity of municipalities and school districts to continue supplying necessary services to their constituents. The task force asked the Selectboard to "provide leadership to help organize and build the community effort required to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels."

To do so, the board should issue an official statement recognizing peak oil as a critical problem that the town and county need to address, endorse and co-sponsor with its task force public education efforts and expand the stakeholders involved with this process to include representatives from business, government, agriculture, education, health and social services.

Tours set for renewable installations

Thursday, February 21, 2008

On the morning of March 12, the 2008 Renewable Energy Summit includes tours of outstanding renewable energy installations. Registration for the tours in on the Summit Web site. It's not necessary to attend the Summit to register for a tour.

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and The Urban Ecology Center
We are installing a 29kW solar PV system on the MSOE Campus Center Building, roughly an area of 3000 square feet, using ballasted tray mounting racks. MSOE aprpeciates the support from both Wisconsin Focus on Energy and We Energies that make this system possible.

At a huge 44.4 kilowatts, the solar electric panels now covering the roof at the Urban Ecology Center are the largest such solar installation in Wisconsin. The system, originally installed in 2003 by H&H Solar Energy Services of Madison, started out as a 48 module array. With the addition of 208 solar panels, the completed system now consists of 256 Kyocera solar panels mounted directly to the Center's metal standing-seam roof. The Kyocera panels are expected to produce over 55,000 KWH each year.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 9:15 am - 12:00 pm, $30.00


Johnson Controls Inc.
The Brengel Technology Center, built in 2000, is a seven-story, 130,000 square-foot facility that provides office and meeting space for 400 employees and serves as a showcase for Johnson Controls technologies. The Center was first certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for New Construction (LEED-NC) at the Silver level in 2001, and in 2004 became the first building to be certified to the Gold level under the LEED-EB (Existing Building) rating system. Because energy efficiency and environmental quality are ingrained in the building plan, seeking LEED-EB certification was completed at a modest cost of $27,250 with a payback of less than one year. The Brengel Center is rated in the top 15% of similar buildings in the EPA Energy Star rating system.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 9:15 am - 12:00 pm, $30.00


ECAM Oak Creek
The Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM), a $2million, 24,000 square foot applied technology center at the MATC Oak Creek Campus, is designed to answer the competitive challenges of Renewable Energy. ECAM is developing advanced educational programs for equipping and managing the new high-performance green buildings. New technicians are being trained for the installation, maintenance and operation of latest-generation, high-efficiency, digitally controlled heating and cooling systems.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 9:15 am - 12:00 pm, $30.00


Forward Wind Energy Center in Brownsville
Forward Energy is an 80 turbine wind farm located in Brownsville, WI, developed by Invenergy and constructed by Michels Wind Energy. The tour will provide a project overview, safety orientation and visit to wind turbine sites. Tour attendees will gain an appreciation for the complexity of developing and constructing a wind farm and see first hand the components of a wind farm.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7:45 am - 12:00 pm, $50.00


GE Medical (PV Array)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:15 am - 12:00 pm, $50.00

SC Johnson Wingspread
The Johnson Foundation has a long tradition of sponsoring Wingspread conferences that address issues of enviornmental quality and community--helping people live in harmony with their environment. The Precautionary Principle, a landmark statement on environmental risk, was crafted at a Wingspread Conference, as were many of the LEED standards for green buildings. More recently, we sponsored Wingspread conferences that have led to a Presidential Climate Action Plan. We installed 16 15kW solar electric panels in 2007. The electricity genearted by teh array is sold back to WE Energies as part of its Energy for Tomorrow TM renewable energy program. We are also a Green Power Partner in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy for Tomorrow--Sustainable Energy Program. Overall, we purchase 28% of our energy from renewable energy sources. One of our buildings, however, uses 100% renewable energy. At these levels we reduce CO2emissions by 160 tons.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:45 am - 12:00 pm, $50.00


JohnsonDiversey Distribution Center
When JohnsonDiversey, Inc. broke ground on the warehouse and distribution center in Sturtevant, WI, they created the largest "green" distribution building in the United States. The commitment by JohnsonDiversey to be the nationwide leader in sustainable development were the driving factors behind this project's success and ultimate achievement of LEED Gold Certification.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 8:45 am - 12:00 pm, $50.00

Read RENEW's newsletter online

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

RENEW Wisconsin's quarterly newsletter contains the following articles:

+ Solar Water Heating's Day of Superlatives
+ Calumet Voters Strongly Favor Wind
+ Renewable Profiles: Steve & Nancy Sandstrom
+ Wind a No Go in Trempealeau
+ Windpower Projects Near Completion
+ Calendar
You can read the newsletter online in RENEW’s News and Views.

Digging Deeper

Monday, February 18, 2008

Digging Deeper into the Spiritual Dimensions of the Global Eco-Crisis
by Rev. Dave Steffenson, Ph. D., Ecological Ethicist.

Wednesday, February 20. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Madison Public Library, Main Branch
201 W Mifflin
Madison, WI

The 4Lakes Chapter of the Sierra Club (Dane County), offers a monthly program September through May. Non-members and the public are always encouraged to attend our educational offerings. They are held at 6:30-8:30 PM on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, and consist of a brief update on current conservation issues and upcoming events, then a program featuring a speaker or a club member presentation.

If you have any questions, please contact Kate Blumenthal at 218-9101 or email .

For a description and a list of future programs, check out our Web site:
www.4lakes.org.

Earth Day Celebration
Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Friday, February 15, 2008

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Habitat ReStore
208 Cottage Grove Rd.,
Madison, WI
Noon to 4 p.m.

Seventh annual Earth Day celebration featuring a Recycle/Reuse Art Auction and hosting 15+ earth-friendly exhibition booths providing information on green building, sustainable living and other recycling/reuse options.

Exhibitors include: Artisan Exteriors, Bike Federation of Wisconsin, Blue Heron Natural Builders, Community Car, EnAct, EcoFriendly Flooring, Full Spectrum, Focus on Energy, MG&E, MPower Campaign, Olbrich Garden, Sustain Dane Rain Barrels, Sustainable Times, Madison Stuff Exchange, Isthmus Green Day and Earth & Water Works.

Open to the public, no fee, free refreshments, Earth Day activities for children and free parking.

**********

Habitat ReStore is an environmentally conscious building material store open to the public that sells used and new building materials. Since opening in September 2001, Habitat ReStore has diverted close to 1,000 tons of building materials from the Dane County landfills annually. Building materials donated to Habitat ReStore are sold to the general public at greatly reduced prices making home improvements and remodeling more affordable. Habitat ReStore is a financial partner to Habitat for Humanity of Dane County whose mission is to build affordable housing in Dane County. Habitat ReStore is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Refinery pollution may soar in Midwest

Thursday, February 14, 2008

From an article by Michael Hawthorne in the Chicago Tribune:

Global-warming pollution from Midwest oil refineries is expected to soar by as much as 40 percent during the next decade, a dramatic increase that runs counter to regional and national efforts to curb heat-trapping gases. . . .

The huge increases in greenhouse gases are a largely hidden consequence of an industrywide trend to buy more Canadian crude. Vast reserves of tar-soaked clay and sand lying under the swampy forests of northern Alberta are seen as a profitable and reliable source of oil, but the heavy petroleum requires more energy to process.

Other oil companies declined to discuss projected increases in global-warming pollution, but researchers have calculated that refining the Canadian petroleum produces 15 percent to 40 percent more carbon dioxide emissions than conventional oil.

With no greenhouse-gas regulations in place, the companies face no costs for the extra pollution they will churn into the atmosphere.

"This is a glaring example of how our energy policy and climate policy are at cross purposes," said Judi Greenwald, director of innovative solutions at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "Companies are making decisions that really don't make sense on a national level when you fail to take climate change into account."

Nuclear Power's Dirty Little Secret: Uranium Mining

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

From the Gaylord Nelson Institute:

A free public lecture by
Doug Brugge
Associate Professor, Public Health and Family Medicine
and Director, Navajo Uranium Mining Project
Tufts University

Wednesday, February 27, 7:00 p.m.
180 Science Hall, 550 North Park Street
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Refreshments in Room 140 following lecture

Read news release.
Additional information: Nelson Institute

Sponsored by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
with support from the Holstrom-Kineke Environmental Studies Fund.
Additional support provided by the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Group bets $100,000 against rosy oil supply forecast

Friday, February 08, 2008

From a press release issued by Association for the Study of Peak Oil-USA (ASPO-USA):

HOUSTON (Feb. 6, 2008) – A group of businessmen and energy experts who believe that global oil production will soon peak, plateau and decline has issued a $100,000 wager to Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), a prominent oil forecasting think tank. Members of the challenger group also renewed an invitation to hold a public debate on the issue of peak oil with CERA.

The group is betting against CERA’s June 2007 forecast that world oil production capacity will reach 112 million barrels per day (mmb/d) by 2017, which extrapolates* to107 mmb/d of actual production, up from about 87 million barrels today. CERA will hold its annual conference in Houston next week.

“CERA is forecasting an addition of 20 million barrels within a decade,” said Steve Andrews, co-founder of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil-USA (ASPO-USA). “That’s a vision in search of reality. Anything is possible on paper, but we are betting you can’t do that with the drill bit.”

The challenger group also notes that CERA called for a civil dialogue on peak oil, but then declined several invitations to engage in such a conversation. Andrews said members of ASPO-USA would be happy to debate the issue, during CERA week, or at another time and place that is mutually convenient.

The 11 members of the betting pool have issued the wager to raise awareness about the fragile state of the world’s future oil supplies. Participants include Jeremy Gilbert (former Chief Petroleum Engineer for British Petroleum), Matt Simmons (Houston energy banker), Jean Laherrere (retired oil executive), Herman Franssen (economist), Marvin Gottlieb (businessman), Jim Baldauf (ASPO-USA co-founder), Steve Andrews, Bob Kanner (investment manager), Scott Pugh (retired Captain U.S. Navy), Aage Figenschou (oil industry, shipping), and Randy Udall (ASPO-USA co-founder) and Andrews.

Energy from the Caspian
February 7, 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

David Knuti, an active member of the Madison Peak Oil Group will speak on "A New Great Game for Russia, Central Asia, and the World"

More details here and below:

Date: February 7, 2008
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: 206 Ingraham Hall
Email: events@creeca.wisc.edu
Contact: Drago Momcilovic
Sponsor: Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia (CREECA)
Co-Sponsor: Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy (WAGE) and Global Studies
Cost: Free and open to the public

Alliant energy conservation program saves enough energy in 2007 to power over 7,000 homes

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

From a press release issued by Alliant Energy:

MADISON, WI – February 5, 2008 – Wisconsin Power and Light (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, completed 192 energy conservation projects in partnership with its business and farm customers last year. The projects saved enough energy to power more than 7,000 homes, heat another 4,500 residences and remove the equivalent annual greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 12,000 passenger vehicles.

The reduction in energy consumption was realized through WPL’s Shared Savings program - an initiative that assists industrial, commercial and agricultural customers with identification and implementation of energy efficiency projects - and invests the capital to finance them. In 2007, WPL provided over $40 million in low-interest financing to help its customers “go green” and implement energy-saving measures.

“While it’s the trendy thing these days to talk about “going green” or “being green”, WPL and its business and farm customers have actually been working together on energy conservation and efficiency projects since 1987 with our Shared Savings program,” said Donna Braatz, WPL Director - Sales and Strategic Accounts. “In fact, over the past ten years alone, WPL has invested $404 million in customer facilities, saving the equivalent amount of electricity generated by a 250-megawatt power plant.”

Campus Community Gathers To Discuss Ways To Slow Global Climate Change

Sunday, February 03, 2008

From a story by Jennifer Evans posted on Channel 3000:

MADISON, Wis. -- On Thursday, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists and business leaders introduced local and national solutions for climate change to students and members of the Madison community at UW-Madison.

The day-long activities marked the final day of Focus the Nation, a two-day nationwide teach-in on climate change uniting more than 1,600 college and university campuses across all 50 states.

"We live in an incredibly unique and defining moment in all of human history," said Jon Foley, director of UW-Madison's Center for Sustainability and Global Environment, as he addressed more than 200 audience members. "What you do today will affect our environment, our climate for thousands of years."

Cieslewicz introduced several city solutions he hopes will help Madison meet the "100K Clean Energy Challenge," a plan to reduce citywide emissions of carbon dioxide by 100,000 tons by 2011. As part of this plan, city government officials will reduce their "carbon footprint" by 25 percent, or 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

To decrease Madison's carbon dioxide emissions, the mayor is working increase the energy efficiency of buildings, increase the use of biofuels in city vehicles and decrease Madison's dependency on local coal plants.

The mayor stressed even small city projects, such as the recent replacement of city traffic lights with LED lights, can make a big difference to the environment and save taxpayers money.

"(Replacing stoplights with LED lights) saves over 20,250 tons of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of taking 442 cars off the road," Cieslewicz said. "But it also saves more than a quarter-million dollars a year."

Statement on redevelopment of Badger Bus station

NOT SO FAST!
LET'S THINK TWICE BEFORE LOSING OUR BUS STATION

Madison's Transportation Future is at Stake


THE BADGER BUS STATION TODAY
While the buses make some noise and transients occasionally congregate there, the Badger Bus Station provides valuable passenger service for Badger, Greyhound and other bus companies. Moreover, it offers the potential to be an invaluable focus for future public transportation development. Each week hundreds of passengers pour through the station—returning students, out of town visitors, businessmen, Badger fans, high school tournament attendees, and Madison citizens.

However, next summer, if the proposed redevelopment proceeds on schedule, intercity bus arrivals and transfers will be spread around the city in a disorganized fashion without regard to passenger convenience and access to major destinations. In the next five years, as our nation responds to the return of very high energy prices and institutes measures to control global warming, planned expansions of bus, train, and rapid transit will be urgently needed. Madison will then search for a central hub for these facilities and find the current bus station site has been preempted by an ill-timed commercial development.

Madison has no better place for a central transit focus than the bus station site. Accessible to nearly all the major bus lines, it is equidistant between east and west Madison, and close to much of University housing. It is the natural linking point for new services using existing rail lines. It provides ready access to nearly all of the public attractions of Madison. Its is only two blocks from the Kohl Center, an easy walk to Camp Randall, the State Capitol, City offices, Monona Terrace, Overture Center, Farmers Market, and Capitol Concerts, among others. The existing bus and train stations provide a core for a transit hub, and the surrounding low intensity uses would pose very minimal obstacles for parking and other facilities (as opposed to the hypothetical alternatives at Monona Terrace or west of the Kohl Center).

The Bus Company claims that a new transit hub might be established at the reconstructed South Union at West Johnson and Randall, but this raises a host of unanswered questions. First, this destination is not in the heart of Madison's attractions. Second, construction there is just beginning and will not be completed until the spring of 2011. Third, UW planners have no plans for a transit hub, and have provided only for Metro bus stops and an eventual commuter rail stop. Badger and Greyhound have not asked them to accommodate intercity buses and intermodal transfers and they have not done so. Furthermore, bus access through the narrow surrounding streets and traffic-clogged Campus Drive is likely to be problematic at best. The connecting block of Johnson east of Randall will be closed. And imagine buses in the midst of football game traffic at Camp Randall two blocks away.



THE STATION SITE IS THE BEST FOCUS FOR MADISON'S TRANSPORTATION FUTURE
Greatly expanded mass transportation plans are on the drawing board for implementation in the next few years. Madison is likely to have an intercity rail connection to Milwaukee and Minneapolis, a statewide publicly-supported intercity bus system supplementing today's commercial bus system, strengthened Metro bus service, and eventually an east-west commuter rail system. These systems would all pass through downtown Madison and all require some downtown focus for passenger service and transfers.

• The Madison "corridor" Plan (Connections 2030 Transportation Plan) prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization specifies a central bus-rail terminal and transfer facility on or near the site of the current bus terminal (roughly from the Kohl Center to Monona Terrace).

• The Connections 2030 Plan also calls for an expanded intercity bus transportation network to be supported in part with state funds. As mapped in the plan, current intercity bus services would be supplemented by additional routes converging on Madison from the north and southwest. The system would provide "intermodal connections to intercity passenger rail, airports, and public transit" with some state assistance for transfer facilities adjacent to other modes.

• WisDOT's is nearing implementation of the Milwaukee-Madison link of the Midwest Regional Rail System eventually extending from Chicago to Minneapolis. A stop is currently planned at the airport, but the city hopes to eventually bring the service to a downtown terminal. Federal Stimulus funds may accelerate this project.

• The Transport 2020 planning process has adopted a plan for a metro-wide commuter rail system that runs on existing rail lines from Middleton to Sun Prairie in an arc through central Madison. Stations are anticipated near the Kohl Center and the Union. The required Regional Transportation Authority is nearing authorization by the Legislature before it is submitted to voters for approval.


CONCERN FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS NEEDED
Indeed, a pause in the Badger Bus Company's redevelopment plan seems in order until these matters are adequately addressed. The Badger Bus Company is a private company that owns the station and the land; however, the company has profited from public infrastructure and patronage for decades, and its owners owe the city some consideration for future transportation needs. . Instead, the owners have been rapidly moving forward with their plan with a stated target to begin construction next summer (and presumably end service at the station). Their plans were quietly surfaced in December and were public only in late January to get preliminary readings from the Urban Design Commission and Bassett Neighborhood. The owners apparently hope for Planning Commission approval in February. They have worked hard to produce creditable building designs (which appear to be an acceptable starting point for review), but the owners showed no hurry to consider the impact of their action on the city's transportation needs.

So far the Badger Bus owners have failed to offer any viable plan for future service. They claim that bus stations are "passé" and they can effectively run their service off almost any street corner or truck stop, but would be willing to participate in a "transit hub" at the South Union. This may be a formula for profitable but limited operation for their company. It is also likely to provide poor service especially for the elderly, infirm and poor; create chaotic transfers to Greyhound and other intercity bus connections; provide no basis for expanded intercity services; and result in generally declining bus ridership at a time when rapid expansion is needed.

The transportation plans above emphasize just the opposite—more intercity routes, organized intermodal transfers, and improved facilities. Finally, the supposed plan to "shift services to the South Union" seems to have no foundation in reality as discussed above. It is not surprising that the owners have refused to discuss their plans with the press.

WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC EXPECT AT THIS TIME?
• At a minimum, the Badger Bus Company should be accountable for a viable plan for intercity bus boarding and transfers for the near term—two to three years—as a part of their plans for conversion of the station site to non-transportation use. The Madison Planning Department should review this plan its adequacy in meeting public transportation needs.

• Before City Planning review, the owners should obtain an agreement with UW planners specifying what boarding and transfer activities can be accommodated at the Union South facility. This should cover the construction period through 2011 and after completion. It should include provision for Greyhound bus service and transfers. This should be made available to the City Planning Commission for review prior to redevelopment project approval.

• The City Planning Department, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation should provide the public with projected plans for intercity transportation terminal facilities and intermodal transfers--both near and long term--in the downtown area before review by the City Planning Commission and Common Council. The City should not approve the Planned Unit Development required for the implementation of this project until these arrangements are considered.

• Prior to a final approval of this project, the Mayor and Common Council should consider the purchase of this site for public transportation purposes, if necessary under eminent domain, and apply for State and Federal funding. The Badger Bus Company should accept its civic obligation to play a constructive role in Madison's future transportation planning, and delay its redevelopment project until these questions are resolved.

If Madison is to have the central focal point anticipated in practically all its public transportation plans, where is it to be? If not this optimal site, where?

When should Madison prepare for a world of scarcer, more expensive oil, with controlled carbon emissions, if not now?

David Knuti and Barbara Smith, Madison Peak Oil Group, February 3, 2009

Why Wisconsin Must Warm Up to Wind

Friday, February 01, 2008

A brown-bag briefing at 12:00 noon in the Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 6.

The first half-hour will consist of prepared presentations from three speakers listed below.

The second half-hour will be devoted to Q & A and a more informational discussion touching upon such topics as state and federal policies, local regulation of wind installations, project economics, and resources for state lawmakers, etc. This event is sponsored by Rep. Montgomery.

Date:
February 6, 2008

Time:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location:
GAR Hearing Room, 4th floor, State Capitol

Speakers:
Curt Bjurlin (EcoEnergyLLC)
Mark Hutter (Michels Wind Energy) – invited
Michael Vickerman (RENEW Wisconsin)