Doyle to offer bus funding plan soon

From an article by Patrick Marley and Larry Sandler in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Jim Doyle will offer a plan to fund buses in Milwaukee County and elsewhere in a couple of weeks, according to legislators who have met with his staff.

Legislative Democrats said Doyle aides told them he would unveil a plan to address regional transit soon - but Doyle's team didn't provide any details. The meetings occurred Thursday.

The talks follow the collapse of efforts to forge a deal in the 2009-'11 budget.

Doyle had proposed a single regional transit authority for southeastern Wisconsin, wielding power over both public buses and proposed commuter trains, funded by a 0.5% sales tax in Milwaukee, Kenosha and western Racine counties. That followed the recommendations of the interim Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority.

But when the budget came out of the Legislature, lawmakers had limited the three-county RTA to overseeing the proposed KRM train line and had changed its funding to an $18 rental car fee, up from $2 a car. They also sought a Milwaukee County transit authority that would levy a 0.65% sales tax, with 0.5% for the financially troubled Milwaukee County bus system and 0.15% for municipal public safety agencies.

Doyle vetoed the Milwaukee County authority but kept the three-county body, saying he wanted to see a truly regional transit solution. That veto enraged Doyle's fellow Democrats, who control the Legislature and who retaliated by cutting $35,000 for a KRM study. Also furious was Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway, who vowed to appoint himself to the new RTA board and vote against KRM consistently.

Milwaukee Democrats support the rail line but said they would prevent it from advancing until the county bus system was improved.

"My bottom line is I'm not going to entertain further KRM discussion until we fix Milwaukee's transit system," Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) said.

Stimulus funds would help residents, city, businesses save energy

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

Milwaukee businesses and residents would benefit from loan programs the city is proposing to develop over the next year to help reduce energy bills.

The City of Milwaukee submitted its proposals for spending $5.8 million in energy-efficiency block grants as part of the federal stimulus package.

The city was given an indication of how much money it will receive but needed to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Energy detailing how the funds would be spent, said Jodie Tabak, spokeswoman for Mayor Tom Barrett.

In an application submitted late last month, the city unveiled plans to boost energy efficiency of city-owned buildings and launch a revolving loan fund to help homeowners and businesses reduce energy use and save on utility bills. The city could also use some funds to add more hybrids to the city fleet, the city's application says.

Nearly $1.5 million would be spent on the residential program, known as Milwaukee Energy Efficiency or ME2, to help homeowners afford the upfront costs of energy-saving upgrades.

Under the city's plan, the revolving loan fund would help finance projects to replace old furnaces or make homes airtight through air sealing and insulation. Homeowners would then pay back the fund through regular installments.

New Berlin firm receives renewable energy grant

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:

MADISON, Wis. (July 8, 2009) - Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has awarded grants totaling more than $2.6 million to help businesses statewide finance the installation of large renewable energy systems. Funds were awarded on a competitive basis to help eligible businesses become more energy independent.

"The grants awarded offer businesses financial assistance for projects that will make a significant impact on Wisconsin's growing renewable energy market; in fact, these larger renewable energy systems offer businesses a way to lessen their dependence on fossil fuel based energy use, in turn reducing pollution" said Don Wichert, program director for Focus on Energy. "It is my hope more organizations will look to these businesses as shining examples of energy pioneers — and follow their example."

Grant Recipients
Following are the grant recipients in their respective technologies:

Solar hot water
Industrial Towel & Uniform (ITU) Inc. of New Berlin, Wis., an industrial laundry service company, was awarded $170,000 to install a 10,000 square foot solar hot water system. This system will reduce ITU's natural gas use by 28,388 therms a year, a significant decrease in its annual natural gas consumption. The system will be the largest solar water heating system in the state when completed.

Other grant recipients
Orion Electric Systems in Manitowoc, Wis., was awarded $250,000 to install a 273 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system. Orion Energy Systems labels itself as a technology center, designed with the express intention of reaching out to the community and developing an education program to introduce various energy technologies and devices to the public. To this end, its solar electric system will serve as a demonstration and educational tool. In addition, the project will be the largest solar electric system in the state and the first in the state to use an innovative cylindrical solar thin film technology.

PPC Partners Inc. in Plymouth, Wis., was awarded $500,000 to complete a 1,137 kW anaerobic digester energy system. PPC Partners will own the system; however, it will be located at Goeser Dairy LLC, a 1,000 head dairy operation. Goeser Dairy will provide the majority of waste stream to serve as the digester's feedstock and other wastes will also be used. The dairy will benefit from the enhanced waste and odor management system as well as reduced bedding fees.

The City of Sheboygan Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) was awarded $205,920 to install a biogas maximization system. The Sheboygan WWTP has been successfully operating a number of 300 kW microturbine systems for nearly four years. The new biogas maximization system will increase the gas production of the existing anaerobic digester from 30 percent to 60 percent. To capture the energy from the increased amount of biogas, the city will install two additional 200 kW microturbines, bringing the total generation capacity of the WWTP up to 700 kW.

Dairy Dreams LLC of Casco, Wis., a 3,000 head dairy operation, was awarded $434,477 for the installation of an 800 kW anaerobic digester energy system. The system will produce energy, while helping to manage waste and control odor.

Industrial Towel & Uniform (ITU) Inc. of New Berlin, Wis., an industrial laundry service company, was awarded $170,000 to install a 10,000 square foot solar hot water system. This system will reduce ITU's natural gas use by 28,388 therms a year, a significant decrease in its annual natural gas consumption. The system will be the largest solar water heating system in the state when completed.

Cashton Greens Wind Farm LLC of Cashton, Wis., was awarded $250,000 to install two wind turbines with a 5,000 kW capacity. The two-turbine wind farm is an innovative partnership between Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools (CROPP), Western Technical College (WTC) and Gundersen Lutheran Health System Inc. It will be the first "community wind" project in the state and its two turbines will be the largest in the state.

Clear Horizons LLC in Sun Prairie, Wis., was awarded $500,000 to complete a 1,137 kW anaerobic digester energy system. Clear Horizons will own the system; however, it will be located at Maunesha River Dairy, a 1,000 head dairy operation. The dairy's waste stream will serve as the digester's feed stock and will use additional organic wastes from other sources. The system will produce energy, help manage waste and control odor.

Gundersen Lutheran Envision LLC in La Crosse, Wis., was awarded $376,057 to install a biomass fired steam plant to produce renewable thermal energy for Gundersen Lutheran Hospital's main campus. The system is estimated to provide approximately 95 percent of the campus' thermal needs. The boiler system will be fired with both wood waste and agricultural waste.

Businesses Statewide Are Eligible
In addition to the grants awarded, Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for smaller renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. To learn more about Focus on Energy, available financial incentives, or to get an application, call (800) 762-7077 or visit Focus on Energy.

WIND TURBINES: Laws are in process

A letter to the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Gerald Flakas:

A July 3 editorial asked for opinions on rules governing wind turbines in Wisconsin. By Wisconsin statute, no county, city, town or village may place any restriction on the installation or use of a solar or wind energy system unless the restriction serves to protect public health and safety, does not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or allows for an alternative system of comparable cost and efficiency.

This means that perceived aesthetics or property value impact cannot be used to prevent people from installing wind turbines on their property. The details on what constitutes "public health and safety" are subject to debate. The state Legislature will be considering a uniform wind energy system siting bill (AB256/SB185) this fall to resolve this question statewide.

The final resolution of these bills should be incorporated into any local ordinances or restrictions, so it might be wise for local units of government to wait for the outcome of these bills before proceeding with regulations restricting solar and wind energy installations.

Gerald K. Flakas
Delafield

Focus on Energy announces new wind installation grant opportunity

From an announcement from Focus on Energy:

Who is Eligible?
Nonprofit organizations and institutions, schools, and units of government are eligible for the Wind Electric Implementation Grant for Schools, Nonprofits and Units of Government if they purchase electricity from an electric provider participating with Focus on Energy. The renewable energy system must be installed on a site whose owner purchases electricity for that site. For a list of participating providers visit focusonenergy.com/utilities or call 888.476.9534.

What is an Implementation Grant?
Wind Electric Implementation Grants for Schools, Nonprofits and Units of Government provide financial support for the installation of commercially available wind electric systems that produce electricity and are rated over 20 kW and not more than 100 kW. For residential or business wind electric systems, please use the Cash-Back Rewards or Wind Electric Implementation Grant available at focusonenergy.com/reincentives.

Available Funding
On a competitive basis, a maximum grant of $150,000 will be available to provide financial support for the installation of wind electric systems over 20 kW to not more than 100 kW. This grant cannot exceed 35 percent of the system cost, the actual grant award is based on the estimated annual electrical production of the installed system (See System Guidelines for more information).

Important!
Before you sign an installation contract, order, purchase or begin to install any system components, your application must be approved by Focus on Energy and you must sign an Implementation Grant Agreement form. Payment of the Implementation Grant is made to you after the renewable energy system is installed and you submit a complete Notice of Installation.

Before the wind

From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Wisconsin needs more wind-powered energy, and it should do what it can to encourage the growth of wind power. That should include the adoption of uniform statewide siting rules for large wind farms, as proposed in legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee).

But municipalities such as Menomonee Falls are smart to move forward with their own rules governing the erection of a wind turbine in someone's back yard to reduce energy costs. Local officials need to address the regulatory issue to give guidance to residents as interest in wind power grows.

In a Monday article, Journal Sentinel reporter Lisa Sink noted that Menomonee Falls village employees began researching the question after a local resident expressed interest in installing a small wind turbine in his yard. Staff could offer little guidance because the village does not have specific regulations on wind turbines.

Nor is Menomonee Falls alone. Staff found no ordinances in the Milwaukee area but reviewed about 10 from other parts of the state, mainly where major commercial wind farms have been built or are planned for construction.

Kelly Lang, marketing manager for Focus on Energy's renewable energy program, told Sink that interest in smaller systems is growing. The program has assisted more than 50 small wind turbine installations across the state, with more than 15 to be added by the end of the year and others planned for 2010, she said. About 10 have been installed in southeastern Wisconsin, including two in Mequon.

So communities need to start thinking about what they want.

Governor Doyle vetoes Milwaukee County sales tax for transit

From an post by Jeramey Jannene on Urban Milwaukee:

When the budget finally made it to his desk, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle used his extensive veto powers in a lot of ways. The most significant of which was arguably the line-item veto of the Milwaukee Transit Authority and the proposed 0.65% sales tax increase for Milwaukee County. Doyle did not veto SERTA, the authority which is to run the KRM commuter rail line, and the $18 rental car tax. This veto puts back on the drawing board Doyle’s proposal for a three-county sales tax to fund the KRM and bus service in Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee Counties, while at the same time not delaying the KRM development process.

The move, which many see as a slam of Milwaukee by Doyle, arguably shouldn’t be completely viewed that way. Doyle did propose a three-county sales tax of up to 0.5% for Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha Counties to establish an authority that would operate all of the transit in the area including the KRM. Doyle’s reasoning for the veto was that the MTA didn’t have a regional approach.