Gen. Wesley Clark on wind, veterans and energy security

State urged to beef up clean energy policies to create jobs

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

Two reports show Wisconsin has a significant renewable power industry, but with a stronger state commitment, it could be saving more energy and creating more jobs.

Wisconsin has more than 300 businesses involved in wind or solar energy, providing more than 12,000 jobs, according to a study by the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago.

It found 171 Wisconsin companies that either produce, sell or install wind power equipment or plan wind development.

Another 135 companies are part of the solar energy industry. For example, Cardinal Glass makes solar panels in Mazomanie; Helios recently opened a solar panel factory in Milwaukee.

"These are real jobs; these are real businesses. Many are existing businesses that are branching out into new product lines," said Howard Learner, the center's executive director.

Wisconsin slips five notches in energy efficiency ranking

The a news release issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy does notm mention Wisconsin, but Wisconsin's rank shows up on page vi in the report:

Washington, D.C.—A sour U.S. economy, tight state budgets, and a failure by Congress to adopt a comprehensive energy strategy have not slowed the growing momentum among U.S. states toward increased energy efficiency, according to the fifth edition of the annual ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) during a National Press Club news conference.

[T]he ACEEE Scorecard shows that the top 10 states are: Massachusetts (taking the #1 position for the first time); California (slipping from the top spot it held for the first four editions of the ACEEE Scorecard); New York State; Oregon; Vermont; Washington State; Rhode Island; Minnesota, Connecticut; and Maryland (making its first appearance in the top 10 and also one of the six most improved states in the 2011 ACEEE Scorecard).

The 10 states most in need of improvement (starting with dead last) are: North Dakota; Wyoming; Mississippi; Kansas; Oklahoma; South Carolina; West Virginia; Missouri; Alabama (also one of the top six most improved states); and South Dakota.

The six most improved states include Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee.

“Energy efficiency is America’s abundant, untapped energy resource and the states continue to press forward to reap its economic and environmental benefits,” said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel. “The message here is that energy efficiency is a pragmatic, bipartisan solution that political leaders from both sides of the aisle can support. As they have over the past decades, states continue to provide the leadership needed to forge an energy-efficient economy, which reduces energy costs, spurs job growth, and benefits the environment.”

Mpower Business ChaMpions: It's all about sustainability

Focus on Energy Announces Residential Program Implementation Firms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MADISON, WI. (October 3, 2011) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin Utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, today announced the selection of the following firms to implement seven residential energy efficiency programs:

• Prescriptive Incentive Program: Resource Solutions Group (RSG)
• Appliance Recycling Program: JACO Environmental
• Single Family and Multi-Family Direct Install Program: Conservation Services Group (CSG)
• Multi-Family Comprehensive Program: Franklin Energy
• Single Family Comprehensive Upgrade Program: Conservation Services Group (CSG)
• Upstream Lighting and Appliance (Retailer) Program: Applied Proactive Technology (APT)
• Low-Moderate Income Program: Resource Solutions Group (RSG) and Conservation Services Group (CSG)

“We are excited to begin working with these firms to reduce costs, serve more customers, expand program offerings and create jobs for the citizens of Wisconsin,” said William S. Haas, project manager for Focus on Energy.

Program implementers were selected by a bid evaluation team, which included representatives from Focus on Energy’s program administrator, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and a utility representative appointed by the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration. The process was open to all qualified bidders with winners selected based on their capabilities, project experience, program approach and cost effectiveness.

Focus on Energy will work with customers and the current program implementers to ensure a smooth transition to the new implementers where applicable. The new residential energy efficiency programs will launch on Janunary 1, 2012. Please visit www.focusonenergy.com to receive program details as they become available.

UW Milwaukee Recieves Top Dollar Gov. Grant for Energy Program

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee was awarded 1.5 million dollars from the DOE (Department of Energy) in order to continue to train under-graduate and graduate level engineering students to become future leaders in industrial energy efficiency. The award is part of a larger 30 million dollar DOE grant given to 24 universities across the county, who currently are leaders in this field. The money will be used to set up an assessment center where students will be able to learn, though working with larger corporations and smaller businesses, how to reduce energy waste and save money through energy efficiency. The money will be given to UW Milwaukee in installments over the next 5 years. Energy Secretary Steven Chu thinks this will open the door to new jobs in this ever growing industry.

Other universities receiving the grant

10 types of companies that consume the most electricity

From an article posted on Compare Electricity Rates:

1.Chemicals – Fertilizers and pesticides are among the main processed-chemicals that require huge amounts of power to produce and transport.
2.Petroleum – The U.S. refines nearly a quarter of all the world’s crude oil at nearly 150 refineries across the country, and these refineries consume incredible amounts of power.
3.Paper Industry – The United States would be lost without paper products, and is the world’s leading producer of paper, another industry that is energy-intensive.
4.All that Glitters – All that glitters may not be gold, but America is one of the global leaders in the production of cast-metal, the industry that brings us such life-staples as cookware and faux Christmas trees.
5.Planes, Trains and Automobiles. . . – . . .and trucks and buses and ships, et.al. The transportation industry uses more than 25% of all the energy produced in the country, and waning supplies of fossil fuels have necessitated an accelerated changeover to alternative fuel sources, including electricity.
6.Heating, Ventilation and Cooling – The heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) industry used to involve nothing more than fireplaces, blocks of ice and strategically placed doors, windows and porches, but today’s industry requires large amounts of power on a national scale.
7.Appliances – We like our clothes kept clean, and we like our food kept cold until we cook it in our self-cleaning ovens, and the appliances we use to attain these goals use up a lot of power to make and to use.
8.Electronics – Televisions, computers, track-lights, alarm systems and hundreds of other devices fill our domestic world, and every blinking little red light means power is being used.
9.Commercial Buildings – A store or warehouse uses a lot of electricity whether it is open or not, and most other commercial buildings require significant amounts of power to heat, cool and secure.
10.Construction Industry – Even during construction slowdowns the industry consumes power at a great rate, and industry up-ticks use even more power as more projects are generated.