Madison looks at innovative strategies to promote solar energy

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

From an article by Steven Verburg in the Wisconsin State Journal:

The solar array installed on Patty Prime’s home on Madison’s East Side cost $44,000 and has a 5.8-kilowatt capacity. A typical system for a Madison home costs $15,000 and has a capacity of one or two kilowatts, said the city’s solar consultant Larry Walker. Prime’s system started working around Jan. 1 and recently began generating more energy than she uses. She said her MG&E bills, which last year cost her up to $300 a month, came bearing credits of $46 in March and $96 in April. “We’re still a month away from the solstice,” she said.

The $44,000 solar panel array on Patty Prime’s roof started turning sunbeams into voltage Jan. 1, and within weeks it set her electric meter spinning backwards.

“It reduced our bills right away,” said Prime, who lives on Sidney Street in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood on Madison’s East Side. “The last two months we’ve had a credit. So they are paying us.”

But Prime is one of fewer than a dozen homeowners who have installed systems with the help of a city consultant who has evaluated nearly 200 properties since 2008.

So solar advocates are looking at new strategies, including working through the city’s network of neighborhood associations to lower costs and provide technical assistance, said city Facilities and Sustainability Manager Jeanne Hoffman.

By August, a website will go live allowing residents to view aerial images of their homes to see how trees and other factors affect their suitability for solar power. “You’ll be able to draw onto that a solar array and be able see how much energy that solar array will draw,” Hoffman said.

The city will redouble efforts at persuading businesses to install solar arrays.

And several groups are examining the recent successes in Portland, Ore., which worked through neighborhood associations and is seeing solar installed in hundreds of homes, Hoffman said.

“We’re really looking for neighborhoods who can partner with the city,” Hoffman said.

Bulk buying can lower the average price of $8,500 per home after state and federal financial incentives, said Larry Walker, the city’s solar consultant.

It’s not clear what sorts of mechanisms will be funded, but professional assistance in designing rooftop solar arrays and negotiating with vendors will be important, Hoffman said.

In some cases, technical assistants could help create systems in which solar panels are placed both on homes and public property, with the electrical output shared by a group of homeowners, including those whose homes have little exposure to the sun, she said.

“We have a tough time in Madison sometimes because we have these really beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, and it’s brutal for solar power,” Walker said.

For a free solar energy assessment of property in Madison, call 608-243-0586.

For more information about Madison's solar energy program, go to www.cityofmadison.com/sustainability/city/madisun.

Biomass suppliers line up for Charter Street project

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

From an article in the The Daily Reporter:

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday that 59 Wisconsin businesses responded to a request for information to supply biomass fuel for the Charter Street Heating Plant in Madison.

“The message is clear, we have biomass businesses right here in our own state that want to grow,” Doyle said in a press release. “This is an enormous economic opportunity for our state to keep the money we spend on energy in the local economy and create green jobs in the area.”

The Charter Street Heating Plant on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus later this year will undergo a major conversion project that will switch the plant from coal-fired to buring a mixture of biomass, such as wood waste and agricultural residues, and natural gas.

Looming east side rail corridor upgrade poses challenges

Monday, May 24, 2010

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:

Like many Madison east siders, Leslie Schroeder enjoys the "livability" of her neighborhood - the safety, the quiet, the close-knit community and the easily walkable connections to nearby schools, cafes and other businesses.

So when the state recently announced passenger rail would come into Downtown Madison, Schroeder had concerns.

"Almost everybody in this neighborhood wants high-speed rail from Madison to Milwaukee, but some neighbors will bear the burden of it, while others will not," Schroeder said. "We need to do what we can to mitigate the noise or divisive impacts."

Just like with the creation of a Downtown Madison train station, the state and city face several challenges in upgrading the east side rail corridor.

With six passenger trains coming and going each day starting in early 2013, the amount of rail traffic on the east side rail corridor will quadruple.

The stretch of track from Interstate 39/90/94 to Monona Terrace includes more than twice as many street crossings than on the East Coast's entire Boston to Washington high-speed rail line.

How fast the trains will travel within city limits remains unknown, though Tom Running, a state rail safety analyst, estimated it could be 30 mph, triple the current limit on freight trains.

State Department of Transportation executive assistant Chris Klein said the department will support closing at least two streets on the east side to facilitate the train. Wisconsin and Southern Railroad had already asked the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads to close Blount, Livingston and Brearly streets but the city is opposed to any closings. A hearing on those closings was postponed once it was known the passenger rail line could come Downtown.

The city also wants to add a new pedestrian crossing at Few Street to access the planned Central Park.

The city had previously looked into relocating a stretch of track that cuts through Central Park, but found it would be too expensive. Janet Piraino, chief of staff for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said it would be nice if the state moved the tracks as part of the upgrade to high-speed rail compatible tracks, but it's unclear if that will be possible.

The Central Park project is temporarily on hold until the state determines what kind of fencing will be installed along the route through Madison, said Joe Sensenbrenner, chairman of the Central Park task force.

Residents worry that fencing could cut off some backyards, pedestrian walkways and community gardens. There are also questions about litter collection and the safety of anyone who trespasses into the corridor from one of the many street crossings, said Peng Her, executive director of the East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council.

Alliant says no more coal plants ... for now and no nukes

Friday, May 21, 2010

From an article by Judy Newman in the Wisconsin State Journal:

Alliant Energy is giving up on the idea of building more coal-fired power plants "for the time being," Alliant chairman, president and chief executive Bill Harvey said Thursday.

In an interview after the Madison utility holding company's annual shareholders meeting, Harvey said Alliant subsidiary Wisconsin Power & Light will not ask for a new coal-fueled power plant to replace one proposed for Cassville that state regulators rejected in late 2008.

"I think it's politically ... too risky to think about building coal plants until climate legislation gets in place," Harvey said. "There's got to be substantial technological improvements before the country returns to building coal plants. That's certainly true for us," he said.

Thanks to adequate power available to buy on the electric transmission grid, Harvey said it will likely be two or three years before Alliant proposes building another natural-gas-fired power plant. That could happen sooner, though, if the economy recovers quickly or if climate change rules force the company to abandon its older coal-fired power plants sooner than expected.

As for nuclear power, Harvey said Alliant is not big enough to consider spending up to $10 billion to build a nuclear plant but it might buy part of a new one, if one is built. "We have to consider that. We have to consider all possibilities," he said.

Don’t switch to BP's tar sands and other dirty fuels

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

From a guest column in The Capital Times by Bruce Nilles and Kate Colarulli of the Sierra Club:

As we’ve watched the Gulf Coast clean up from the massive BP oil disaster, besides BP picking up its own PR mission to improve its image, we’ve also noticed another disturbing PR campaign: The coal industry and the tar sands industry are both starting to use this disaster to tout the supposed “cleanliness” of their respective energy sources.

There are more and more “clean” coal ads appearing alongside oil cleanup articles, and the tar sands (also known as oil sands) industry has already made the outrageous claim that it is “safer” than offshore drilling. One executive said “that while there can be failures with conventional oil and oil sands projects, the damage would be much smaller and more modest than with offshore spills.”

This could not be farther from the truth, of course. One could compare the tar sands industry in Canada to a massive and permanent oil spill on land. When the tar sands industry destroys the environment from the get-go, who needs a spill?

Here’s a fact for you: The Canadian tar sands operations are intending to expand to the size of Florida (and have already destroyed 200 square miles).

The mining and production of oil from tar sands creates three times the carbon emissions as that of conventional oil. As if its global warming pollution were not bad enough, tar sands mining also results in the destruction of the Canadian boreal forest, a vital carbon reservoir for 11 percent of the world’s carbon and a global nesting ground for 166 million birds. In other words, not only does tar sands development create vast quantities of new carbon emissions, it destroys the Earth’s natural ability to capture carbon through the forest.

Think BP’s bad behavior only crops up in oil? Think again -- BP is actively involved in the tar sands industry and has recently been cited for cutting corners on a tar sands project that would have impacted the drinking water for the 8 million people residing in the Chicago area.

In October, BP was caught trying to undercount the pollution that would result from a proposed expansion of its Whiting refinery in order to process tar sands. The tar sands expansion would increase the refinery’s discharges of ammonia into Lake Michigan by 54 percent and its discharges of suspended solids -- the byproducts of making gasoline -- by 35 percent. Surely the people of Chicago would thank BP for adding byproducts of making gasoline to their drinking water.

If that incident doesn’t scare you, one of BP’s tar sands operations, ironically named Sunrise, is situated above Canada’s biggest freshwater aquifer. Rick Boucher, vice president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region One, fears that “it’s just a matter of time before an accident causes injury or death, and pollution of this massive underground freshwater system.”

Wisconsin 5th most dependent state on imported coal

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

From a news release issued by Clean Wisconsin:

State Spends $853 Million Every Year on Imported Coal

MADISON -- Wisconsin is the fifth most dependent state on imported coal, spending $853 million to import the fuel in 2008, according to a national report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

"Despite having no in-state coal supplies, Wisconsin relies on coal for nearly two-thirds of the electricity it produces," reads Burning Coal, Burning Cash, a report released today by UCS that ranks the states that import the most coal. "Compared with other states, Wisconsin is the fifth most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use."

In 2008, Wisconsin spent $152 for every man, woman and child importing coal from nine different states. According to the report, the state spent $25 million on coal from Montana, $94 million on Colorado coal, and over $700 million on coal from Wyoming.

"Relying on coal in a non-coal-mining state is a costly and dangerous addiction," said Ryan Schryver, clean energy advocate at Clean Wisconsin. "We not only pay $152 for every man, woman and child to import coal into the state every year, we also pay the high price of coal polluting our waters, diminishing the quality of our air, and threatening our health."

Beyond showing the high costs of imported coal, the report also highlights solutions that will help Wisconsin reduce its heavy dependence on the fossil fuel. "Investing in energy efficiency is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to replace coal-fired power while boosting the local economy," it reads. It later continues, "The state has the technical potential to generate 4.2 times its 2008 electricity needs from renewable energy."

Metro ridership up over 2009 even with fare hike

Monday, May 17, 2010

From an article by Dean Mosiman in The Capital Times:

A controversial Metro Transit bus fare hike hasn’t had the dramatic negative impact on ridership and revenues that some feared.

In April 2009, the City Council increased Metro Transit cash bus fares from $1.50 to $2 and raised the price of passes and ticket packages.

Yet Metro ridership still rose 1.4 percent to 13.58 million in 2009, the highest ridership in 30 years, the bus system reported. The ridership is about what Metro anticipated with the fare increase, but far less than the 6 percent projected increase if there had been no fare hike.

In the first three months of 2010, ridership rose 1.5 percent compared to the first three months of 2009, Metro reported.

One thing helping ridership is Metro’s new Commute Card program, an unlimited ride pass for small businesses and employers, Metro spokesman Mick Rusch said.

Monona Grove Energy and Sustainability Fair, Saturday, May 22

Friday, May 14, 2010

The Monona Grove Energy and Sustainability Fair will heat up the high school with fun exhibits and eye-opening presentations from a mix of students and experts. This free fair is for parents, families, students, and community members of all ages.

Enjoy and learn from students' art and educational posters, booths and demonstrations, poetry, a musical performance, and more. (The Global Impact Class will even put the proper air in your tires while you're at the event!)

Community nonprofits, energy providers, and sustainability experts of all stripes will provide a wide range of materials, information, and opportunities for you to join your friends, neighbors, and the students of the Monona Grove School District in creating a sustainable future.

Exhibits
Exhibits/exhibitors include: Geothermal at Glacial Drumlin, Vermiculture, The Natural Step Monona, Energy Upgrades in the School District, Energy savings tips from Alliant Energy and MG&E, MG&E Solar Trailer and Energy Bike, Focus on Energy, Climate Change: 101, Reduce/reuse/recycle tips, Food and Sustainability, LED Lighting, The End of Cheap Stuff, Alternative Energy, Carbon-o-meter, Environmental Library Items, What's green in your kitchen, Solar oven, EnAct: Steps to greener living, Community Car, Tire Inflation Booth, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, and What's your carbon footprint?

Enjoy environmental art projects, poetry, and at 1:00 a performance by Winnequah third and fourth graders: "Assignment Earth: What Kids Can Do to Save the Planet."

Monona Terrace train station makes sense

Thursday, May 13, 2010

From an editorial in The Capital Times:

Real cities are served by trains, and those trains stop in their vibrant downtowns.

As such, the signal from state officials — led by Gov. Jim Doyle — that Madison’s new Amtrak station should be located at or near Monona Terrace is a sound one.

There are still details to be worked out. The Department of Transportation must choose an exact location to recommend. Three state-owned office buildings — at 101 E. Wilson St., 121 E. Wilson St. and 1 W. Wilson St. — are in the running. And the plans to retrofit the existing structures as stations are innovative and intriguing.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz responded with appropriate enthusiasm, declaring that Gov. Doyle “made absolutely the right decision, and in some ways a courageous decision, and one that is going to benefit the city of Madison for generations to come.”

Replacing Charter St. coal plant not coming cheaply

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Coal at the UW-Madison’s Charter Street Heating Plant will soon be replaced by wood and natural gas.

From an article by Mike Ivey in The Capital Times:

Converting the aging coal-burning Charter Street Heating Plant into one of the greenest facilities of its kind is coming at a price.

The new facility, which received initial approval from the city Plan Commission Monday night, will have the capacity to burn wood chips, corn stalks, switchgrass pellets or other biomass.

But including biomass in the fuel mix has added at least $50 million in cost to the estimated $250 million power plant, the most expensive single project in UW-Madison history. . . .

Just one of four boilers in the new power plant will burn biomass as part of a demonstration project ordered by Gov. Doyle to help the state's fledgling bioenergy industry. The balance of the facility will be fired by natural gas, which is piped into the facility.

Using biomass at full capacity, however, could require bringing 2 to 3 freight trains each day into the heart of campus to deliver enough fuel. Currently, one train every other day is used to bring coal into the plant.

To accommodate that level of rail activity, the UW is proposing additional sidings along the corridor running behind the Kohl Center. It will also need to construct new RR bridges across North Park Street and East Campus Mall.

In addition, the work will require moving the so-called "Missing Link" bike trail to the south, closing one of the most-used bicycle routes on campus while the work is completed.

The cost of fossil fuels is far too high

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

From an opinion piece by Keith Reopelle of Clean Wisconsin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The scale of the environmental and economic disaster caused by the recent explosion of BP's deepwater horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico is nearly too great to comprehend. This oil spill, however, is just one example of the unacceptably high cost of continuing to depend on dirty fossil fuels and the urgent need to begin transitioning toward clean, renewable energy.

The April 20 oil rig explosion killed 11 workers, releasing nearly 2 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf and covering an area seven times the size of Waukesha County in a thick, black oil slick. We all watched helplessly as oil entered coastal waters, contaminating fragile ecosystems that provide vital habitat for sea birds, turtles, marine mammals, fish and many endangered species.

The spill crippled the Gulf Coast seafood industry, where fishing and shrimp boats now remain moored to piers. The environmental catastrophe will exact a heavy toll on the area's tourism industry for years.

The heavy cost of this spill will spread well beyond the Gulf Coast region. It will increase the price and decrease the availability of seafood nationally. It also will likely cause price increases in many common items like coffee, bananas and tires by disrupting major shipping lanes.

The scale and reach of this disaster illustrate the unacceptably high risks of expanding offshore oil exploration, and former proponents of offshore exploration - including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - are now withdrawing their support.

Unfortunately, the oil spill is not the only catastrophe in recent weeks resulting from our dependence on fossil fuels. People across the nation recently mourned the loss of life after an accident at a Kentucky coal mine killed two miners only weeks after a tragic mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29.

The Gulf oil spill and the recent coal mining tragedies make it impossible to ignore the high costs of our continued reliance on fossil fuels. However, these are far from being the only costs brought by our dependence on fossil fuels.

The environmental, economic and health costs of burning coal in power plants and petroleum in cars are enormous. Here in Wisconsin, the costs are less visible than a massive oil slick, but staggering nonetheless.

GOP gubernatorial candidates would kill Madison-Milwaukee rail plan

Monday, May 10, 2010

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:

Madison-to-Milwaukee Amtrak service is planned to begin in 2013, but a major junction in that process is coming in November.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee County executive Scott Walker immediately responded to Thursday's announcement about a Madison station location with a promise to derail the whole project.

"As governor, I will stop this misguided and wasteful project," Walker said. "Every announcement by Governor Doyle and (Milwaukee) Mayor (Tom) Barrett on their controversial train boondoggle further commits our state to their pet project that taxpayers literally cannot afford."

Walker's Republican opponent, small-business owner and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, also voiced opposition to the train.

"In tough times we have to cut spending, not take on hugely expensive projects that analysis has shown are not self-sustainable," Neumann said. "It is that kind of thinking that has left Wisconsin with a huge deficit, rising taxes and fees, and wasteful spending across the board."

Phil Walzak, spokesman for Barrett, the Democratic candidate, said the reason Democrats and Republicans, including former Gov. Tommy Thompson, support the train is because it's about "construction jobs, manufacturing jobs and the economic corridor."

"Just saying ‘no' to everything is not going to move Wisconsin forward," Walzak said. "What Wisconsin needs is adult leadership that's going to create jobs."

Doyle says Monona Terrace is 'correct choice' for Amtrak station

Friday, May 07, 2010

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:

In an announcement that Madison officials hailed as a boon for Downtown, Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday that the “obvious, correct choice” for an Amtrak station is near Monona Terrace.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz pledged to expand by 400 spaces a planned parking ramp reconstruction in the next two years to accommodate what he said should be called “Gov. Jim Doyle/Monona Terrace Station.”

The governor, Cieslewicz said, “made absolutely the right decision, and in some ways a courageous decision, and one that is going to benefit the city of Madison for generations to come.”

Both leaders emphasized that a lot of work still needs to be done, including selecting the exact location of the station. Department of Transportation Executive Assistant Chris Klein confirmed the state is looking at three state-owned buildings along Wilson Street where the station would be housed and vertical access to a platform would need to be built.

The $810 million federal stimulus grant to develop intercity rail between Madison and Milwaukee has $24 million earmarked for station development. Part of that would be used for the Madison station, Doyle said, but “the station is not going to be a Taj Mahal.”

Cieslewicz said that if the city wants to make the station “a more significant entrance to the city, then obviously the city is going to have to think about stepping up and paying for that.”

Site near Monona Terrace picked for rail station

Thursday, May 06, 2010

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:

Madison’s Amtrak station will be located Downtown near Monona Terrace, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday.

“The Monona Terrace station will maximize ridership to and from Madison and will provide easy access to other forms of transportation, the State Capitol, the convention center, businesses and hotels,” Doyle said. “There were several other very good potential locations in Madison, but when considering all the factors, the Monona Terrace is clearly the best option.”

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who also spoke at the announcement, said he hoped the station would be named after Doyle. Cieslewicz added that he did not consult with governor on that matter.

“Bringing high-speed rail to the heart of downtown Madison creates tremendous potential for economic development, regional transportation and a successful rail line for years to come,” Cieslewicz said. “I want to thank Governor Doyle for his incredible leadership in bringing high-speed rail to Madison and bringing the station to the Monona Terrace.”

To accommodate the station in an already dense area, the city plans to speed up the planned demolition and replacement of the Government East parking ramp with a 1,200-space underground ramp. The previous plan for that ramp had been for 800 parking spaces, but another level was added to accommodate the estimated 400 to 600 spaces needed for the train station.

The state had previously said it was analyzing four sites in Madison for a station, including Monona Terrace, the Kohl Center, the Dane County Regional Airport and the corner of First Street and East Washington Avenue, known as Yahara Station.

Although the exact site has not been chosen, the station will be along Wilson Street, east or west of the convention center. Possible options include the State Office Building, 1 W. Wilson St., and 121 E. Wilson St.

Will mayor's European trip inspire changes for Madison cyclists?

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

From an article by Kristin Czubkowski in The Capital Times:

For the average person, spending a week biking in Europe sounds pretty much like a vacation — a more active one than resting on a tropical beach, but a vacation nonetheless. But when the mayor of the second-biggest city in Wisconsin takes several staff members to visit Amsterdam and four other European cities to study biking for a week, it sends a message that improving Madison’s biking culture is a big deal.

Now, two weeks after touching back down in Madison, city bicyclists and bicycle advocates are ready to hear what changes and investment Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is ready to make back home. While some are still skeptical of the need to go abroad to study bike culture when Madison itself has a wealth of resources, nearly all agree that now that the trip has been done, they’re not giving Cieslewicz a pass on making changes.

Does he feel that pressure?

“Oh gosh, yes. It was a big investment of time and resources,” he says in an interview last week, noting that his chief of staff and two high-ranking members of the engineering and traffic engineering departments all traveled with him. “It was a substantial commitment.”

As for what Madison may see in the short term, Cieslewicz says there are a few elements of biking infrastructure on his trip that could be started at least on a trial basis within the next few weeks and months.

Petroleum vs. renewable resources

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

BREAKING NEWS--Large air spill at wind farm--no threats reported. Some claim to enjoy the breeze. (Came from moveron.org.)

MORE BREAKING NEWS -- Sun continues to spill on Madison resident's home. No injuries! Resident enjoys free electricity and hot water. Neighbors never noticed "funny things" on roof. (Came from Joshua Clements, a connection on LinkedIn, and tweaked by Ed Blume.)

Solar is hot! If you can't install it, get it from MGE!

Monday, May 03, 2010

When it comes to clean power, solar is hot! It commands the most interest with consumers, and supporters of renewable energy can share solar through MGE's Solar Clean Power Partners.

In this story, meet the families and businesses harnessing the power of the sun and learn how the Green Power community is making that possible.

Assembly speaker says Clean Energy Jobs Act will return

Friday, April 30, 2010

From a blog post by Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Madison -- Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) said Thursday he expected bills would be taken up in next year's legislative session to curb global warming, create regional transit authorities and reform how elections are run.

The three bills were among those that didn't pass in the legislative session that ended last week.

"I believe it will come back and it may come back in a different version," Sheridan said of the global warming bill.

Sheridan said he thought Democrats had good prospects for maintaining control of the Assembly. They took hold of the house for the first time in 14 years after the November 2008 election.

All Hands on Deck! Community gardening bee Saturday

Thursday, April 29, 2010

From the newsletter of Fitchburg Fields:

Please join us this weekend for a community gardening bee!

Just like the Amish community will raise a barn in a day or two, so too can we create a 4000 sq. ft. garden and raspberry patch in a weekend, if you come out in large numbers. Last year 23 people volunteered: this year, with twice as much land, we need 50 volunteers.

You don't need to know anything: just be able to use a shovel or rake, or write on stakes, or pitch hay, and we'll provide the guidance.

 Sat., May 1, from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.: Creating garden beds
 Sat., May 1, from 1 to 3 p.m.: Creating a raspberry patch
 Sun., May 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Planting early crops like potatoes, onions, peas and lettuce.

Please sign up here for as many hours as you like on these workdays. There is no charge. Children are welcome, but you must care for them.

Please bring a shovel or garden rake (well marked) if you have one, and your own water, food, and sun protection.

Whether you are en experienced gardener, a novice who wants to learn, a friend of the hungry, or someone looking to meet friendly, dedicated people, you'll be glad you came!

Extreme green makeover from MG&E

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

It’s the ultimate in recycling – an entire building redesigned for smarter, more efficient energy use. In this story, watch what happens when the US Bank Plaza on the Capital Square gets an Extreme Green Makeover.

Renewable Energy Not Responsible for MGE Rate Increase

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2010

MORE INFORMATION
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org


Renewable Energy Not Responsible for MGE Rate Increase

Higher costs associated with fossil fuel generation are driving Madison Gas & Electric’s costs higher, according to testimony submitted by company witnesses. The utility filed an application last week with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to collect an additional $32.2 million through a 9% increase in electric rates starting January 2011.

The bulk of the rate increase can be attributed to expenses associated with burning coal to generate electricity. A 22% owner of the 1,020-megawatt (MW) Columbia Generating Station near Portage, Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) and the owner plant owners plan to retrofit the 35-year-old facility to reduce airborne emissions. The cost of Columbia’s environmental retrofit is expected to total $640 million, of which MGE’s share is about $140 million.

MGE also owns an 8% share of the state’s newest coal-fired station, the 1,230-MW Elm Road Generating Station located in Oak Creek. A portion of the proposed rate hike would cover lease payments and other expenses at that plant.

MGE’s application does not attribute any portion of its proposed rate hike to renewable energy sources. However, MGE plans to increase the premium associated with its voluntary Green Power Tomorrow program from 1.25 cents per kilowatt-hour to 2 cents. RENEW estimates that the premium hike will collect more than $1 million in 2011 from the approximately 10,000 customers participating in the program.

According to the utility’s web site, 10% of MGE's electric customers purchase some or all of their electricity from renewable resources. Moreover, Green Power Tomorrow has the second highest participation rate of all investor-owned utilities in the country according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Not surprisingly, MGE anticipates subscribership in Green Power Tomorrow to decrease if the PSC approves the higher premium. Currently, the program accounts for about 5% of total electric sales. Program subscribers include the City of Madison, State of Wisconsin, Dane County Regional Airport, Madison West High School, Goodman Community Center and Home Savings Bank.

According to MGE, sinking fossil fuel prices have widened the difference between wholesale power costs and the cost of supplying customers with renewable energy. However, it is worth remembering that the cost of supplying power from MGE’s renewable energy assets, such as its Rosiere installation in Kewaunee County and Top of Iowa project, did not increase last year and will not increase in the foreseeable future.

“Even though the cost of MGE’s windpower supplies is not going up, Green Power Tomorrow customers will take a double hit if the PSC approves this rate increase and request for higher premiums,” said RENEW Wisconsin executive Director Michael Vickerman. “It’s a ‘heads-I-win-tails-you-lose’ proposition that will wind up rewarding customers who drop out of the renewable energy program because coal is cheaper.”

“It would be short-sighted to penalize renewable energy purchasers just because fossil fuel prices are in a temporary slump,” Vickerman said. “But if MGE is allowed to institute this penalty at the same time it imposes the cost of cleaning up an older coal-fired generator on all of its customers, including its Green Power Tomorrow subscribers, it would have a profoundly negative impact on the renewable energy marketplace going forward.”

“This is the wrong time to be throwing up barriers to renewable energy development. We at RENEW will fight proposals that reward fossil fuel use and penalize renewable energy,” Vickerman added.

END

RENEW Wisconsin (www.renewwisconsin.org) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sector initiatives.

Promote biking by donating a bike

In celebration of Earth Day, DreamBikes and The Fiore Companies are hosting a bike donation event this Thursday, April 29, from noon-1 p.m. at 222 W. Washington Street.

DreamBikes will have a van set up in front of the building, and accepts used bikes in any condition. Dream Bikes partners with The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to help teens prepare themselves for the professional world. The teens learn how to clean, repair, and sell used bikes to members of the community.

For information on DreamBikes, visit http://dream-bikes.org; for information on this Thursday’s event, contact Maria Sadowski at maria.sadowski@madisonenvironmental.com or call 608-204-0400.

Expert on rail travel: Two train stations best option

Monday, April 26, 2010

From an article by Matthew DeFour in the Wisconsin State Journal:

The state Department of Transportation is planning on one Madison Amtrak station in 2013, but one expert found that having two stations, downtown and at the local airport, is what works best in many other cities.

Author James McCommons, who spent a year riding 26,000 miles across the United States by rail, is speaking Tuesday about his book, "Waiting on a Train," at the Madison Central Library.

Having two stations makes train service more convenient in Milwaukee, which has stops at the airport and downtown, McCommons said. He also saw stations in both locations in European cities, where he recently rode trains for 50 hours over a two-month period.

"In Europe, they have both a downtown stop and an airport stop because they know you need to bring all these modes together," McCommons said. "We need better connectivity between these modes."

One thing he observed in his travels is that rail passengers won't necessarily take well to having to switch to a different mode of transportation, such as a bus, to get to their destination, an argument that favors locating the Madison station Downtown.

In many other places, the airport also is connected by train so that passengers have only a short walk between modes of transportation.

Wisconsin Democrats say no to Clean Energy on Earth Day

Friday, April 23, 2010

A news release issued by Clean Wisconsin:

MADISON -- Hours ago, the democratically controlled state Legislature failed the people of Wisconsin when it adjourned before taking up the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

"It's ironic that on Earth Day, our Democrat-led state Legislature effectively killed a vital piece of clean energy legislation," says Keith Reopelle, senior policy director, Clean Wisconsin. "Senate Democratic leaders Jeff Plale and Russ Decker's refusal to schedule the bill for a vote guaranteed the bill's demise."

The Clean Energy Jobs Act would have created more than 15,000Â jobs for Wisconsinites. Just yesterday, Wave Wind, a wind energy service provider in Sun Prairie, sent an open letter to the state Legislature noting that the delayed passage of the bill forced the company to lay off 12 employees. Had the bill passed, Wave Wind would have created 100 new high-quality jobs.

"The world is transitioning to a clean energy economy, and Wisconsin is getting left behind," says Reopelle. "Wisconsin has now lost the manufacturing and design jobs that would have been created by the bill  to China, California and Illinois."

The bill also would have lowered energy bills for homeowners and businesses with its renewable energy and energy efficiency provisions, allowing Wisconsin to make incremental but critically important steps toward reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and increasing our energy independence.

"It is a travesty that Wisconsin's Legislature missed the opportunity to take action on such an important bill for the health of our state's economy and environment," says Reopelle. "While today's inaction is definitely a setback, thanks to the hard work of our allies in the Legislature and coalition partners, we have laid the foundation for future clean energy legislation and remain hopeful that Wisconsin will soon return to its forward-thinking roots."

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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable.

Babies and cats want Clean Energy Jobs Act passed; 25% renewables by 2025

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The video is one of eight in Wisconsin Environment's Clean Energy Jobs Act Video Contest.

From a news release issued by Wisconsin Environment:

Vote for your favorite in the Clean Energy Jobs Act Video Contest

Madison – As the legislature considers the Clean Energy Jobs Act, citizens from across Wisconsin have created short videos to show why our state should pursue a clean energy future. The video submissions were entered into a contest sponsored by Wisconsin Environment.

“Wisconsin’s citizens know we can achieve a clean energy future,” said Dan Kohler, Wisconsin Environment Director. “Legislators should watch these videos to get a sense of the passion people have for getting off our dependence on fossil fuels and harnessing clean technologies to clean our air.”

The video contest will be decided through online voting happening through April 21st at the Wisconsin Environment website. The winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Vote now for the winner: http://www.wisconsinenvironment.org/action/clean-energy/video-voting

MG&E and other utilities in group urging passage of Clean Energy Jobs Act

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

From a news release issued by CREWE, a coalition of the following organizations -- CleanPower, Alliant Energy, EcoEnergy, Johnson Controls, Xcel Energy, C5•6 Technologies, Axley Brynelson, Madison Gas and Electric, Orion Energy Systems, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin Energy Corp., Poblocki Sign Company, Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, MillerCoors, American Transmission Co., WPPI Energy, DTE Energy Services, Kranz, Inc. and Greenwood Fuels:

(MADISON, Wis.)—The coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE) today urged the State Assembly to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) in order to create thousands of jobs and reduce electricity costs for Wisconsin consumers and businesses.

“The amended Clean Energy Jobs Act provides even more benefits than the original version, so our representatives must make the obvious choice and pass this bill,” Thad Nation, executive director of CREWE, said. “In fact, a recent survey shows that business leaders are eager to undertake energy efficiency efforts as a means of saving money and growing their respective businesses.”

CREWE member Johnson Controls surveyed more than 1,400 executives in North America and found that improving energy efficiency in buildings is their top priority. According to the Public Service Commission, the energy efficiency provisions in the new CEJA are likely to save Wisconsin ratepayers billions of energy dollars over the next several years.

The Assembly will vote on the bill Tuesday.

Among the amendments, a more aggressive energy efficiency policy will keep electricity affordable and target Wisconsin’s manufacturing, large commercial and and institutional sectors, which in turn will produce
many high-quality, well-paying jobs, Nation added.

Let's pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act to celebrate Earth Day!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tomorrow the Assembly will be voting on the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

RENEW Wisconsin and dozens of other organizations have been working hard to pass the job-creating legislation.

Clean Wisconsin set up a Web site where you can easily send an email to your legislators to urge them to vote "yes" for the bill.

Contact them now, before the Assembly votes.

Let's make this happen!

Legislators Fire Blanks at Clean Energy Jobs Act

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A commentary by Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin:

Immediate release
April 15, 2010

More information
Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org

Statement of Michael Vickerman
Executive Director – RENEW Wisconsin

Legislators Fire Blanks at Clean Energy Jobs Act

In an April 13 statement, Reps. Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem), Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay), and Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) contend that the substitute amendment for the Clean Energy Jobs Act, released earlier this week, will drive up electric rates across Wisconsin. As ammunition for their argument, the representatives point to recent requests in Iowa to raise electric rates, which they attribute to the state’s renewable energy policy.

The argument advanced by these three lawmakers is truly absurd, given the facts of the situation. In the first place, Iowa’s Alternative Energy Production (AEP) law, which dates from 1983, requires the state’s two largest electric utilities to add a mere 105 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity between them. By 1997, both utilities had achieved full compliance with that law. That mandate has not been increased or modified since that time.

Fast forward to April 2010. Windpower capacity alone in Iowa now totals 3,670 MW, and the Hawkeye State is now the second largest producer of wind-generated electricity in the nation behind Texas. According to the Iowa Policy Project, windpower accounted for 14% of the state’s electric output in 2009. Additional information on windpower development in Iowa can be accessed here.

The vast majority of Iowa’s windpower capacity was built for reasons other than complying with the state’s renewable energy policy. Iowa utilities invested in windpower because it is the lowest cost generation option available to them. Here’s what MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa’s largest investor-owned utility, says about its windpower assets.

MidAmerican began building wind turbines in 2004 and has made the investment without raising customers’ electric rates. The price of electricity per kilowatt-hour … for MidAmerican customers is lower today than it was in 1995, and the company has committed to not seek an electric rate increase to become effective until 2014, which is nearly 20 years without a rate increase.

Given MidAmerican’s experience with windpower, it is clear that the allegation from Reps. Huebsch, Montgomery and Gunderson was spun without any apparent connection to reality. The proper place to file a claim this ludicrous is in a manure digester, where it can be broken down into usable energy.

It’s worth pointing out that a significant percentage of Iowa’s wind capacity serves Wisconsin utilities, among them Madison Gas & Electric (MGE), which owns the 30 MW Top of Iowa 3 installation and purchases additional supplies of wind-generated electricity from independently owned facilities there. These facilities were constructed after 2006, the year Wisconsin’s current renewable energy standard was enacted. Yet MGE’s residential ratepayers have seen annual rate increases of only 1.5% in the last four years. Compared with other expenses, such as college tuition, health insurance premiums, and vehicle registration fees, electricity cost increases have barely been noticeable.

Windpower’s rapid growth in the Upper Midwest has also contributed to the reduction of fossil fuel consumption, resulting in lower natural gas prices. That benefit is passed through directly to Wisconsin energy users in the form of lower heating bills. Indeed, over the last 12 months, overall energy costs declined measurably for most Wisconsin households and businesses, thanks to the prolonged slump in natural gas prices.

There is no surer way to control energy bills than to reduce the state’s reliance on imported fossil fuels through increased conservation and substituting renewable resources wherever practical. The choice before the Legislature is clear cut and momentous. Either it can embrace a 15-year commitment to invigorate the state’s economy through sustained investment in clean energy or it can decide to coast along on current energy policies until they lapse several years from now and lose their force and effect.

We at RENEW believe the Clean Energy Jobs Act will propel the clean energy marketplace into an economic powerhouse that will generate jobs and help Wisconsin businesses remain competitive. We strongly support the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act bill as amended.

--END--

RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sector initiatives. More information on RENEW’s Web site at www.renewwisconsin.org.

Groups urge passage of new version of Clean Energy Jobs Act legislation

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Diverse groups lined up to support passage of the rewritten version of Clean Energy Jobs Act legislation when the new provisions were announced on Tuesday. Group already releasing statements of support include:

+ Clean Wisconsin.
+ AFL-CIO
+ Wisconsin Business Council
+ Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy (CREWE)
+ Wisconsin Environment
+ WPPI Energy.

According to the bill's co-authors the highlights of the bill make the following changes:

+ Increases the use of renewable resources to meet the state’s future energy needs, requiring 25 percent of Wisconsin’s energy needs are met by renewable sources by 2025, creates new opportunities for Wisconsin.
+ Establishes graduated statewide electricity savings goals that lead up to a 2 percent reduction by 2015 and annual reductions of 2 percent thereafter, this will help reduce energy costs to businesses and homes across the state.
+ Large conservation and efficiency projects that meet workforce standards could count toward a portion of the RPS, which accelerates savings and provides options for utilities to create jobs.
+ Supports the development of small scale renewables such as solar, wind and manure digesters through expanded Focus on Energy grants and loans that will now total $25 million per year each year for a four year period. This will allow Wisconsin Companies to grow their business and create more jobs.
+ Modifies, but not repeal, Wisconsin’s moratorium on nuclear power plants. The language has been tightened to remove the threat of constitutional challenge by tying those changes to the state’s traditional regulatory authority over the need and siting of any plant.
+ Adjusts several transportation provisions, including the elimination of the California vehicle emissions standard; the proposed low carbon fuel standard tied to decisions in other states; and boiler efficiency standards that could cause conflict with EPA regulations.

The co-authors also asked the Public Service Commission to update its cost analysis of the legislation, taking into account the changes made in the substitute amendment.

Peak Oil and The Madison Peak Oil Group

“America is addicted to oil.” -President Bush, State of the Union Address 2006”

"I believe we have peaked out at 85 million barrels of oil a day globally." -T. Boone Pickens, 2008.

"The Peak Oil Debate is essentially over and we have won. What remains is a quibble over timing." –Dr. James Schlesinger, first Secretary of Energy, former Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA, 2010.

What we need to do is to alarm the governments. [Big] growth in demand is coming from China, the Middle East, India…The question is whether…we can [sufficiently] increase production…Even if demand did not grow for the next 20 years, to compensate for the decline in existing fields,…we would have to find and develop four new Saudi Arabias….

Inadequate investment by oil producers risks an "oil crunch" in the next five years which will jeopardize any hope of world economic recovery.

Fatih Birol, Chief Economist, International Energy Agency (IEA) 2008 and 2010


UNDERSTANDING PEAK OIL

The "Peak Oil" pattern is an essential key to understanding the history and the future of energy resources. Oil production from finite resources can not increase ever upward or follow a straight line forward. The natural pattern for exploitation of a limited natural resources in a limited geographic area is a bell-shaped curve peaking at approximately the mid-point of resource extraction. This was discovered by M. King Hubbert, a petroleum geologist, observing the pattern in individual oil fields and production regions. In the beginning, discovery and consumption accelerate to a peak (or wider plateau) until half of the resource has been consumed. Past this point, the most easily accessible deposits have been exploited and production must shifts to more difficult and expensive sources. Production eventually dips into permanent decline--at varying rates and with temporary humps along the way.

Those who claim that this pattern is not universal are the widespread "cornucopians"—largely economists—who believe that oil production can be expanded almost without limits as new technology and investment are applied. A related fallacy is that production will continue on an even plateau to exhaustion and that constant future oil supply can be anticipated by dividing total reserves by current consumption.

Hubbert successfully confounded these views when he predicted the peak of oil production in the U.S. in 1970 (see above chart.) Based on similar analysis, a majority of world geologists and energy analysts predict a peak of world oil production somewhere between now and 2035, with steadily declining production thereafter.

Without adaptation, high fuel prices and supply shortages may render a severe shock to the U.S. economy, because we are highly dependent on a high constant flow of oil from world markets at relatively low prices. Relatively small and temporary oil supply short falls and speculative price spikes in 1973, 1979 and 2008 caused very high gas prices and shortages and triggered severe recessions.

When oil demand finally outpaces supply, the U.S. will face a severe and permanent drag on its oil-based economy. Without unlimited cheap oil, our car-based life-style and dispersed communities will be difficult to maintain. We can adapt successfully, but not without effort and change. Preparation now avoids suffering later.

WHY IS PEAK OIL A THREAT?
#1 The key issue is the daily FLOW of OIL to the world market—not the ultimate oil in the ground—because operation of the modern economy depends on a continuous flow of liquid fuel. Complex physical, economic and governmental factors can combine to limit flow below potential. Lately, many of these forces are becoming unfavorable.

#2 The MIX OF "OIL" (or liquid fuels) of the future will be more difficult and expensive to extract per unit of energy produced. According to the International Energy Agency, the availability of "Conventional" cheap, free-flowing, reasonably-accessible crude oil peaked in 2007, and will continue to decline in the future. This oil will be largely replaced by "unconventional oil" that must be extracted from deep offshore wells, remote Arctic locations, or heavy oil embedded in sand and rock. The energy produced versus the energy required for its production will be much less favorable than for crude oil.

#3 The pace of OIL DISCOVERY has long ago fallen behind accelerated consumption. The rate of world oil discovery peaked in the 1960s and there have been few new "giant" fields found since then.

#4 The rate of DECLINING PRODUCTION from existing oil fields is very close to current capacity additions. An International Energy Agency (IEA) survey of existing world oil fields found a depletion rate of 4.5% per year (twice previously estimated). If new projects falter, there is a serious risk of oil shock in the next few years.

#5 NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERS HOPE, but has not significantly changed the amount of oil discovered or the amount of oil that can be extracted from crude oil fields. This is despite such advances as 3-D seismic exploration mapping, directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and deep sea technology—and in spite of high market prices and increased investment.

#6 COST WILL LIMIT our ability to produce and use oil: Oil prices above perhaps $100 per barrel may drive our economy into recession. Unfortunately, these higher prices are needed to produce the new difficult oil. Some oil may prove too costly to produce.

#7 THERE MAY BE A "PEAK EXPORT" POINT IN WHICH OIL SUPPLIED TO THE WORLD MARKET MAY DECLINE BEFORE TOTAL PRODUCTION PEAKS. The International Oil Companies now control only 10% of the world's oil reserves, and must work in partnership with the OPEC cartel and National Oil Companies, which may not permit maximum production. 35 exporting nations have ceased exporting oil after their own production peaked.

#8 HUGE NEW CONSUMERS NOW COMPETE for limited world supplies: The oil demand of China, India and emerging nations is growing at over 10% per year. In the event of a price spike, they may be more able to pay inflated prices because of their larger financial reserves.

WHEN WILL TROUBLE COME
The peak of world oil production cannot be precisely predicted because of the complex interaction of the many forces above.

• Many informed sources see oil production precariously balanced on a bumpy plateau since 2005—about 86 million barrels/day—subject to periodic "oil crunches" as demand recovery bumps into supply limits.

• Disruptions in the next five or so years may still be followed by production growth, but a growing number of expert fear that world oil supply is nearing permanent decline.

• Major Energy Agencies—the International Energy Agency and U.S. Energy Information Agency—implicitly recognize limits on oil production in 10 to 20 years, but do not want to be responsible for predicting an early or severe crisis.

• Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), consultants noted for optimism, predict a peak plateau of oil production in 2025 through 2040—hardly very reassuring.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE
Personally understand the near term risk and long term inevitability of reduced energy supplies. Overcome the psychological and political forces for denial.

Support a dynamic national energy program to encourage reduced gasoline consumption and development of replacement fuel capabilities. Prepare to support a range of measures from mileage standards to higher fuel taxes.

Support a ten year restructuring of our transportation system locally and nationally. Encourage robust local transit systems, high-speed intercity passenger rail, shifting freight from road to rail and water, and overall electrification.

Personally reposition ourselves to use less transportation. Use public transit or buy an electric or hybrid car. Live near work and vital services.

Adopt a transition lifestyle based on local resources of food and mutual assistance. Plant a garden.

THE MADISON PEAK OIL GROUP
The Madison Peak Oil Group (MPOG) was founded under the leadership of RENEW Wisconsin, an organization promoting renewable energy, to broaden the community discussion of the energy future. MPOG members closely follow of the research of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas-USA (ASPO), which leads the discussion of the risks of constrained fossil fuel supplies. Locally, MPOG supports the restructuring of the area transportation system through a strong Region Transit Authority, and improved intercity bus and local transit systems. It is also is participating in development of transitional lifestyles for the post carbon era.

What Can You Do Now?
First, educate yourself from the abundant online resources: the Madison Peak Oil Group , ASPO-USA, The Oil Drum, and Post Carbon Institute.

Then come to a Peak Oil Group meeting at 222 S. Hamilton on the first Thursday monthly. Or invite a presentation to your group.

Contact Us
Hans Noeldner, Coordinator, 608-444-6190
hans_noeldner@charter.net

Ed Blume, Website, 608-819-0748
eblume@renewwisconsin.org

Wisconsin's scaled-back global warming bill unveiled

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

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

A revised state clean energy and global warming bill unveiled Tuesday scales back the scope of the bill but retains a commitment to expand use of renewable energy and open the door to construction of nuclear reactors in Wisconsin.

The revisions, obtained by the Journal Sentinel, were drafted in response to concerns raised by business groups and politicians that the original bill was too unwieldy, too controversial and potentially too costly.

Jettisoned from the package were mandates concerning transportation fuels, including a requirement that Wisconsin require greater use of low-carbon transportation fuels such as biofuels.

To reduce the overall cost of the package, the bill allows energy efficiency gains to count toward a portion of a mandate that 25% of Wisconsin's electricity come from renewable power sources by 2025.

A combined energy efficiency and renewable energy standard is also part of federal legislation that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last year.

The state bill would allow one-fifth of the mandate to come through energy savings, most likely from major energy saving initiatives by factories and other big energy users.

Another change responds to concerns raised by utilities concerning a mandate that had been in the earlier bill concerning small renewable energy projects around the state. The mandate has been replaced with expanded funding for small renewable energy projects. The new proposal states a preference that much of that money be allocated toward manure digesters on Wisconsin dairy farms.

The latest version also underscores the consequences of the weak economy and declining sentiment for taking action on global warming.

Doyle signed an executive order creating the task force in April 2007 - well before the collapse in the economy. In December 2009, after details were known, many business groups attacked it and said the recommendations would harm the energy-intensive manufacturing sector.

But some other industries and companies, notably Johnson Controls, the state's largest public company, said the bill would create jobs and align the state to take advantage of emerging trends in sustainability.

At the same time, the public appears less concerned about climate change. A national Gallup Poll in March showed that the percentage of respondents who believe the seriousness of global warming is "generally exaggerated" has increased from 35% to 48% in two years.

"As introduced, the Clean Energy Jobs Act would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and help keep rising energy bills in check," said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director at the environmental group Clean Wisconsin, said in a statement. "The substitute amendment represents a compromise that will still accomplish all of these goals, but to a lesser degree than the original bill."

Clean Wisconsin is still reviewing the details of the changes.

"As we understand them, the changes in the substitute amendment will result in even more jobs and lower energy bills in the next few years by increasing short-term commitments to energy efficiency," Reopelle said. "However, paring back the renewable energy standard will likely result in less rate relief in the long term, because renewable energy helps hedge against the rising cost of fossil fuels."

Dane County Cow Power is farming for the future

Sunday, April 11, 2010

From a guest column by Scott Schultz, executive director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union:

Manure happens. Farmers know that all too well.

Farmers also know that well-managed manure can be a valuable resource instead of being a waste with the potential of polluting lakes or drinking water.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk has recognized manure’s resource capabilities, so has championed a novel manure solution. The Dane County Cow Power project, a community digester in the town of Vienna, will take the manure from 2,500 cows and produce electricity. In the process, manure is broken down by bacteria, releasing gases that can be burned in an electric-producing generator. The project will power more than 2,500 homes, and special technology in the digester will remove much of the phosphorus -- the nutrient that stimulates lake algae.

The idea of turning waste into energy has been around for centuries. But removing phosphorus in the process is new -- and a very big clean-water innovation. Only a handful of digesters are doing it. This project can be a model that can be replicated across the Midwest.

The project has three winners -- dairy farmers who need better solutions to manage their manure, utilities that can buy electricity produced from cows rather than coal, and people who want clean water to drink and clean lakes to swim and fish in.

The United States has 140 biogas digesters while the European Union has nearly 10,000. Wisconsin leads the nation with 32 digesters counting Dane County’s Cow Power project. Germany, about twice the size of Wisconsin, is the world leader in biogas production and has 5,300 digesters, mostly from small farms. They employ more than 10,000 people in the biogas industry.

Moving toward a more renewable energy economy will take big ideas. Making renewable energy from manure is one of them. Dane County’s Community Cow Power project is smart farming for the future.

Don't blame Greyhound!

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 3:59 PM

To: Various city officials and alders

Subject: You can't be serous in blaming Greyhound for the "recent chaos"

On behalf of the Madison Peak Oil Group, Inc., we were incredulous to read the following statement, blaming Greyhound for the "recent chaos:"

Throughout the discussions Greyhound was repeatedly told that the recent chaos was not acceptable. They were specifically told that the recent chaos could not happen again. Greyhound stated that they are committed to serving Madison and to finding a location that works for the city and their customers.

The Madison Peak Oil Group was the first and one of the only voices in Madison to raise concerns in February of 2009 about the demolition of the Badger Bus Depot on West Washington Avenue. Our members testified to numerous city committees and the council about the need for the city to plan for a bus stop.


The city's response: Absolute disinterest! Completely blank faces when we asked whether staff and committee members had any questions or comments!

If a city staff person again says, "this chaos is unacceptable," we hope that the person is looking in a mirror.

Sincerely,

Ed Blume
Facilitator, Madison Peak Oil Group, Inc.
222 S. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608.819.0748


________________________________________
From: Schmidt, Chris
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:55 AM
To: ALL ALDERS
Cc: Piraino, Janet; Mikolajewski, Matthew; Harmon, Ray; Dryer, David; Cieslewicz, Dave; Kamp, Charles; Cooley, Timothy
Subject: City meeting with Greyhound recap

Dear Alders,

At 4pm Wednesday, April 7 there was a meeting called by Ray Harmon that brought together several city staff members (from Traffic Engineering, Metro, and Planning and Economic Development), three representatives from Greyhound, Alders Bidar-Sielaff, Maniaci, and Schmidt, and former Alder Robbie Webber (acting in her position as chair of the LRTPC). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss short, mid, and long range plans for a Greyhound location. The Greyhound representatives included their Regional Vice President out of Dallas, their District Manager from Chicago, and their Area Manager from Minneapolis.

Greyhound updated everyone on their plan to have the station, with ticketing, at the TA truckstop at I-90 and US 51. During the discussion they were advised that Kelley Williamson Mobil on West Washington was available as a site for an intercity bus stop. It was decided that Greyhound would contact KW to explore the feasibility of using that location. Our ordinance does allow that, however there could be space issues with putting two buses at the curb at the same time, so Greyhound will contact Badger Bus to determine if there will be a problem with conflicting schedules. KW could work as just a loading site, especially if they retain a ticketing site at the TA trusckstop. In light of that Greyhound will also look for a site that can act as a mid-term solution, something they can use for a few years without moving. City staff offered to help Greyhound locate a site if they desire. Greyhound currently has a local broker working to find them a site. The long-term solution that was discussed was a multi-modal station. Greyhound is very interested in being involved in those discussions at an early stage. They've worked with other cities on such stations.

Throughout the discussions Greyhound was repeatedly told that the recent chaos was not acceptable. They were specifically told that the recent chaos could not happen again. Greyhound stated that they are committed to serving Madison and to finding a location that works for the city and their customers.

To summarize:
1) In the short term, Greyhound will continue to open their station at the TA truckstop. They will contact Kelley Williamson to see if they can do pickup and possibly sell tickets there. We also stressed the importance of contacting Alder Veveer since KW is in his district.
2) They will look for a mid-term solution to serve in the interim until we have a multi-modal station in place. City staff is ready to help as needed.
3) They support the concept of a multimodal station and want to be engaged in related discussions.

Alder Bidar-Sielaff contacted Alder Verveer on Wednesday night to update him on the discussion that had occured.

Best,

Alders Schmidt, Manaci and Bidar-Sielaff

More fed funds may be available for high-speed rail plans

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

From an article in The Milwaukee Business Journal:

Although opponents are still trying to stop a high-speed rail project between Milwaukee and Madison in its tracks, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced this week that it is making even more federal dollars available for states to plan additional rail lines.

The FRA said it will begin accepting applications this week for $115 million in planning and construction project funds for more high-speed intercity passenger rail.
Wisconsin could apply for some of that additional federal money to help with the planning to extend the line to the Twin Cities.

The agency will make available $50 million in planning project funds appropriated under the U.S. Department of Transportation fiscal 2010 budget and approximately $65 million in residual construction project funds appropriated under its 2009 budget.
“We are excited to move forward the President's vision on high-speed rail and are working quickly to get funding in the hands of states,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

“We look forward to working with states to lay the groundwork for their high-speed rail programs and also help other states get specific projects off the ground so that jobs can be created in the near-term,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo. “These funds supplement the President’s initial down payment on high-speed rail and represent a commitment to developing a world-class transportation network.”
Applications and proposals for the funds will be due back to FRA by May 19, with selection announcements to be made over the summer.

RTA talk with Steve Hiniker

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Date: Tuesday April 13, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: 455 N Park (Humanities Bldg.) Rm. 2619
Notes: Co-sponsored by UW Student Bus Advocates and Madison Area Bus Advocates

Rate dispute might doom local wind power project

Monday, April 05, 2010

From an article by Karen Rivedale in the Wisconsin State Jounral:

A local company's plan to build a small wind farm just outside Madison and create more than 100 jobs is hanging by a thread amid a standoff with Madison Gas and Electric Co. over the price of electricity to be generated at the site.

The company, Wave Wind LLC of Sun Prairie, says it needs 8 cents per kilowatt-hour to make the project viable. MGE is only willing to pay 2.9 cents.

"That rate won't even allow us to put a shovel in the ground," said Tim Laughlin, president of Wave Wind at 4589 Highway TT. "The utilities have to recognize that (green power) will be part of the culture. It will be part of what we're dealing with on all levels, and they'll have to figure out a way to make it work."

Wind-farm supporters say the project - which the company likely will move to another state if a deal can't be worked out - would produce clean energy for 2,400 homes annually, for just a few pennies more on a $50 monthly bill.

But MGE says it can get renewable energy even more cheaply now and potentially well beyond 2020.

Renewable energy expert Michael Vickerman agreed that locally produced wind energy wouldn't be the cheapest option, given competition from states like Iowa and Minnesota, which have stronger, steadier wind patterns.

But he said a local wind farm could still generate significant energy and would cost only "marginally more" than other sources, with benefits beyond dollars and cents.

"MGE has a customer base that is deeply committed to sustainable energy," said Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a Madison nonprofit that promotes clean energy. "It sends a powerful signal to component manufacturers, to the construction and building trades, to local governments and to economic development officials."

MGE officials did not return calls for comment.

Tenney neighborhood association president goes solar

Monday, March 29, 2010

From an article in the newsletter of the Tenny Lapham Neighborhood Association:

Richard Linster and Patty Prime, 432 Sidney Street, have bounded into the future by converting their home into a minipower plant that uses the sun to produce clean renewal energy.

Richard wanted to be part of the alternative energy future. The first step was an appointment with Larry Walker, Madison’s “Solar Agent”. His services are provided free of charge through the MadiSUN Solar Energy Program. solar@ cityofmadison.com. Larry Walker evaluated their property to see if it was suitable for solar power collectors and determined that it was. Richard and Patty were on their way to “green”.

Maximum power production from solar collectors requires that the solar panels face the sun at an optimal orientation and that the view of the sun be unobstructed. The amount of power generated by the panels and an early payback time rely on this optimal orientation.

Having a site that works well, Richard and Patty chose to install a solar electric system known as a photovoltaic or PV system. This system produces electricity as opposed to other solar systems that produce heat, often for hot water. They installed 25 (PV) solar panels that will generate 5.8kW (kilowatts) of electricity.

Wisconsin group to look at how Germany does green

Friday, March 26, 2010

From a letter to the editor of the Capital Times by John Imes, executive director of Wisconsin Environmental Initiative:

Ask me why I’m going to Germany.

Yes, it’s partly because I can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wisconsin/Hessen sister state relationship and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

Yes, it’s partly because the delegation going with me includes the likes of Ambassadors Tom Loftus (Norway) and Rick Graber (Czech Republic), as well as Roberta Gassman, secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, and other distinguished leaders from business, academia, and nonprofits.

But mainly it’s because Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich are rolling out a red carpet to showcase their bright green economic growth, which includes cutting-edge high-speed rail technology, advanced water systems, large-scale solar and biogas facilities, and new directions in environmental and economic cooperation.

I’m going on the March 21-29 trip because I want to help Wisconsin look beyond the traditional approaches and solutions to new strategies and policies that let us achieve the environment, quality of life and healthy business climate we deserve. I expect to capture, study, learn and bring back lessons on energy, transportation, manufacturing and higher education that are keys to the emerging green economy.

Where are we going? Here are a few stops:

•Cutting-edge high-speed rail stations, technology and systems: The largest employer in Germany and a major economic driver is the Deustche Bundesbahn (German National Railroad). Every 500 million euros invested in the network expansion creates approximately 12,500 jobs during the construction phase and roughly 2,500 to 3,400 jobs from related business and service providers. We will get behind-the-scenes tours of high-speed rail stations, construction, maintenance, control and virtual training centers.

• Clean-tech exchange program: We will study green building design and offshore wind generation that will provide up to 15 percent of German power by 2020.

• Reliable and environmentally friendly energy and water resources management: Wisconsin values balanced and diverse energy investments. So we’ll get to see examples of that with a large solar farm and a biogas facility that feeds refined biogas into the German natural gas grid. Another highlight will be a presentation on Bavaria’s water resources management, one of the most advanced water systems in the world.

• New directions in environmental governance: What sets Germany apart is its “can-do” attitude and demonstrated ability to bring all the players to the table. Germany’s National Association of Manufacturers and the Federal Environmental Ministry work together to address issues like climate change, set meaningful environmental goals, and provide flexibility and incentives for superior environmental performance. We know some of this because we borrowed similar ideas 10 years ago to help set up our bipartisan, groundbreaking Green Tier law, which was championed by Sen. Mark Miller and Sen. Neal Kedzie and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle.

County focuses on local transportation via RTA

Thursday, March 25, 2010

From an article by Ryan Rainey in The Badger Herald:

As Madison continues to grow and area officials consider more transit options, the Regional Transit Authority has the sole responsibility of determining the best form of public transit for the area.

The Madison-area RTA, which state authorities established last year after increased interest on the County Board, had its first meeting this month. The board will meet in the coming months and years to develop new transit plans for the Madison area.

RTA Board of Directors Vice Chair and Dane County Sup. Mark Opitz, District 26, said the RTA is a freestanding authority which does not make recommendations to regional governing bodies like the Dane County Board of Supervisors or the Madison Common Council.

Opitz said the RTA would be focusing mainly on improving services of the already existing Madison Metro bus service and assessing the volume of commuters between Middleton, the University of Wisconsin campus, Downtown Madison and Sun Prairie.

“We are trying to get our hands around all of the issues pertaining to transit,” Opitz said. “What we are doing in the next meeting is going through existing studies that have been completed pertaining to bus, commuter and any aspect of transit service”.

One hanging question the RTA will consider in the years to come will be whether to utilize light commuter rail or Bus Rapid Transit for use in the Middleton-Madison-Sun Prairie corridor, Opitz said.

BRT systems, which Opitz said have been successful in cities such as Kansas City, Mo., use dedicated lanes solely for bus use. The lanes can either be elevated to avoid stoplights or constructed at grade level, usually in the medians of major thoroughfares.

City and state officials have talked in the past of including a connection to a BRT or commuter rail link at the yet-to-be-determined site of a high-speed rail station. Opitz said the RTA’s priority is ensuring a strong bus system that additional transit resources support.

Case Builds for the Clean Energy Jobs Act Bills

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

From Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, Spring 2010, the newsletter of RENEW Wisconsin:

After holding five public hearings on the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) legislation, the committees’ co-chairs signaled their plan to hammer out a set of substitute proposals in meetings among themselves.

While waiting for the expected substitute amendment sometime in late March, proponents continue to build the public case for passage in this legislative session.

The refashioned bill will likely retain the core provisions in the original, specifically:
+ 25% renewable energy standard(RES) by 2025;
+ 10% in-state renewable energy set-aside, also by 2025; and
+ Energy efficiency goals to begin reduction of consumption in 2011.

The original legislation (AB 649/SB 450) also contained a requirement that the Public Service Commission (PSC) increase buyback rates for small renewable systems. This controversial section is likely to be reworked substantially in the substitute amendment.

Since the introduction of the bills in early January, many affected interests have bombarded the print and electronic media with news releases, advertisements, economic analyses, news conferences, commentaries, and photo opportunities in hopes of influencing the Legislature before the session ends.

Just to list a few examples from the proponents:
+ RENEW Wisconsin released a study in February showing that increased renewable energy buyback rates, by themselves, would have a minimal impact on base residential electricity rates;

Other newsletter articles:
Tour Spotlights Homegrown Renewables
Energizing Fort Atkinson Schools
Clearing Up Lakes with Clean Energy
Of Molehills and Renewable Energy
Calendar

Dane County gets $2.2 million for "Green Energy Dane Plan"

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

From a news release issued by Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk:

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved over $2.2 million in economic stimulus funds for county energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will save taxpayer dollars, create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The county submitted its "Green Energy Dane Plan" to DOE last fall and just received notification the plan has been approved.

"Dane County has been a leader in implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy and green government programs," said County Executive Falk. "These economic recovery funds allows us to go a step further and make a major investment in energy solutions that will strengthen our economy by saving taxpayer dollars, creating local jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The federal dollars will fund a number of projects to make more than 50-year old county buildings much more energy efficient and less costly to operate. That includes installing solar panels on the roof of the City-County building to help provide hot water. Energy-saving lighting and modern heating and cooling systems will also be purchased and the building’s vintage 1956 hot water system will be replaced with energy-efficient tanks. Solar panels will also be installed at various county facilities and Dane County will sell that solar-generated electricity back to local utilities. . . .

Included in the "Green Energy Dane Plan" is nearly $350,000 to conduct a feasibility study to explore the economic, job creation, and renewable energy potential of building a food waste digester plant. Waste food that now goes into the garbage or down kitchen disposals could one day generate up to $4-million in locally-produced green energy. Dane County is reviewing proposals from firms interested in doing the feasibility study and developing an initial site design. A company will be selected later this spring to perform the study.

Marquette Neighborhood Assn. supports central station

Monday, March 22, 2010

From a letter from the Marquette Neighborhood Association sent to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and others:

The Marquette Neighborhood Association (MNA) is excited about high speed passenger rail service coming to Madison. We support increasing multi-modal transportation options in our city and the region. MNA urges that the city plan for a rail station as far into the East Rail corridor as is feasible.

The rebirth of passenger rail is also a unique opportunity for the city to plan for a transportation hub around the passenger rail station. The recently formed Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) adds another element of support for our automobile alternative transportation systems.

The city of Madison needs a transportation hub that is convenient for its residents and visitors. The rail station should also be located in an area that can support development. This is why the MNA board listened to a recent presentation on the Yahara Station proposal with great interest. The location at First Street would build connections to existing bus lines, bike paths and would be close to proposed commuter rail. It is also located on the edge of the Capital East development corridor. We were excited about the possibility of a station at that location.

There are other alternatives however, and we support a location in the East Rail corridor, closer to the city center. There is more space and development opportunity in the heart of the East Rail Corridor between Blair and Baldwin Streets. This area would also be to the South of East Washington Avenue for easier connections to proposed commuter rail. The first passenger trains will be travelling between Madison and Milwaukee. Regardless of where the station is located the train will need to be redirected to Milwaukee. This would be the case at the airport or First Street. There are existing rails in the corridor for outbound trains to head to Milwaukee or Minneapolis when that route becomes available in 10 or more years. We would like our neighborhood to be considered in the environmental assessment studies for the Madison station.

Madisonians look to Arlington Heights for ideas on train station

Friday, March 19, 2010

Village of Arlington Heights Director of Planning Charles Perkins (facing camera) briefed a Madison delegation in front of the Metra train station, designed to fit into the transporation oriented design of downtown Arlington Heights.



From an article by Joe Tarr on the Isthmus Daily Page:

When Ed Blume saw Arlington Height’s downtown area, he realized that Madison had some work to do if it hoped a high-speed rail station could be an impetus for development.

“I guess I was thinking we’ll just plop the station down some where and let development happen around it,” says Blume, a representative with RENEW Wisconsin, which organized a field trip Wednesday to the Chicago suburb. “Well that’s probably not the best way to do urban planning.”

“You have to have a vision,” he says. “And if you want it to work really well, you’ve got to lay that vision out. And then you’ve got to look for developers who want to fulfill that vision.”

But Blume was inspired by what he saw in Arlington Heights, which has a downtown station on Metra’s Harvard commuter line. And he thinks Madison could learn a lot from the community. The city is looking for examples on how to develop its own train station as it prepares for a high-speed rail link from Chicago.

The Arlington Heights downtown area is a new urbanist development, with lots of shops, offices and retail surrounding the train station. It’s high-density neighborhoods constructed of red brick.

“If the development around a [Madison] train station could mirror what they have done, it would be a remarkable success,” he says. But not every community on the Chicago commuter line has made a train station work for them. “In other locations where the train stopped all you would see is a field of cars in this gigantic parking lot,” he says. Like Dutch Mill park and ride, only 10 times bigger.”

Time out for education on clean energy bill

Thursday, March 18, 2010

A letter to the editor of The Capital Times by Keith Spruce:

Dear Editor: Some opposition to the Clean Energy & Jobs Act (SB 450 & AB 649) rests on allegations of increases in the cost of energy under the act. This opposition could not find more contradiction when compared with the recent energy cost study report by Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission.

The Feb. 19 PSC study concludes that in all likelihood Wisconsin will be spending more on electricity in the long run if we don’t act to embrace renewable portfolio standards and take more aggressive action on energy efficiency. Somehow the cited a Wisconsin Policy Research Institute/Beacon Hill Institute study used as a basis to argue increased energy costs by some of the opposition could not be more off-key from our own state’s PSC analysis.

Every year, $16 billion leaves Wisconsin to pay for fuel. The Clean Energy Jobs Act is designed to improve our economy, save money and create jobs.

Maybe it’s a good to time to find common ground as we enter the post-peak-oil era and leave behind cheap fossil fuel that threatens us even more than a warm bottle of beer from global warming could.

Keith Spruce
Milwaukee