Electricity consumers sue PSC regarding wind farm approval

From a news release issued by the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and the Citizens Utility Board:

MADISON – The Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and the Citizens Utility Board today filed a lawsuit against the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) for ignoring state law in approving a wind power project to be built in Minnesota, owned by Madison-based Wisconsin Power & Light Co. (WPL), and paid for by WPL’s Wisconsin customers.

“Electric rates have been rapidly rising so we simply can’t afford less stringent regulatory review of new energy projects,” said WIEG executive director Todd Stuart. “The cost and need of energy infrastructure can’t be ignored, especially right now with the massive job losses in Wisconsin.”

On June 6, 2008, WPL submitted an application to the PSC for approval to build and own a 200-megawatt wind farm called Bent Tree, to be located in South Central Minnesota, at an estimated cost of $497 million. WPL’s application requested a “certificate of convenience and necessity” or CPCN, which a utility must obtain from the PSC before the utility can build a new power plant of 100 megawatts or more.

Because the project would be built in another state, on November 6, 2008, the PSC issued an orderfollowing a 2-1 vote saying that it would review WPL’s application as one seeking a “certificate of authority” or CA, rather than under the more stringent requirements for obtaining a CPCN.

Commissioner Lauren Azar disagreed and voted against reviewing the project under the CA process; she issued a dissenting opinion in which she asserted that Wisconsin law requires utilities to receive a CPCN, regardless of where the project is located.

Earlier, in comments filed in July 2008, both WIEG and CUB urged the PSC to use the CPCN process as required by state law.

On July 31, 2009, the PSC issued an order granting WPL a CA for its Bent Tree Wind Farm, even though both WIEG and CUB had submitted legal briefs in May 2009, again pointing out that state law requires utilities to receive a CPCN before constructing a project like Bent Tree. . . .

In filing the lawsuit, WIEG and CUB contend that the PSC ignored Wisconsin law, which states that a utility cannot build a power plant of 100 megawatts or more unless the utility has received a CPCN.

Governor to push renewable energy agenda, including higher RPS

From an article by Giles Morris in The Daily News (Rhinelander):

As Governor Jim Doyle continues his northern tour, he is promoting a policy agenda that will serve as his legacy when he leaves office next year.

One of the most ambitious pieces of legislation Doyle is pushing for is a law that would create a new renewable energy benchmark for the state.

On Monday, Eric Callisto, chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), spoke about how the new goals would change the way the state looks at its energy policy.

“The governor is not running for re-election and as he announced that he talked about some of the priorities for the state going forward,” Callisto said. “Among those are environmental protection and sustainable energy.”

Callisto, who heads the agency charged with overseeing the state’s energy utilities, said the governor’s energy plan involves a three-pronged approach consisting of strengthening the state’s standards for renewable energy consumption, expanding the state’s market share of clean energy production and ramping up clean energy research programs throughout the UW system.

The first piece of legislation that could emerge from the governor’s energy platform could reach the Legislature this fall. The bill — which would likely come through Sen. Mark Miller’s committee on the environment and Rep. Spencer Black’s natural resources committee — would entail a modification of the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS).

The current RPS requires that the state’s utility companies produce 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. Under the revamped bill, the deadline for the 10 percent renewable mark would be moved up to 2013 and two new benchmarks would be added to create a “25 by 25” agenda — 25 percent renewable by 2025 with at least 10 percent produced in Wisconsin.

“I think it’s a realistic goal,” Callisto said. “It’s a goal in which Wisconsin utilities, businesses and rate payers are all going to have to play a major role.”

Workshop: Energy, Behavior and Marketing, Sept. 18, Madison

From the Wisconisn Public Utility Institute (WPUI):

September 18, 2009
Room 2180, Mechanical Engineering Building

Agenda
•Do you know (and can you reach) customers:
•Who will participate in a government program? It might surprise you.
•Who will (or won’t) use Eco-Driving to increase fuel economy? This might surprise you too.
•Who believe that global warming is real and are willing to make changes in their lives?

How willing are customers to conserve, and can you find them with accuracy or only with a shotgun? Are you interested in knowing the expected length of time you can count on change to be supported? This presentation will review the uses of segmentation and report on some recent evaluation work. This will be an interactive workshop and is open to anyone interested in how we can cost-effectively engage different attitudes regarding energy efficiency

Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly, Summer 2009

The Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly includes these article in the summer edition:

It's Time to Bring Renewable Energy Home
In Memoriam: Bob Gilbertson
Board Member Brings Green Home
Renewables Profile: Jenny Heinzen
Manure Digesters Good Fit
Solar Innovator: Craig Tarr
Calendar

Registration opens for Solar Decade Conference, Oct. 2, Milwaukee

From the Web page of the Solar Decade:

Join renowned industry experts as they discuss the benefits of solar energy for your home, business and career!

Now in its fifth year, the Wisconsin Solar Decade Conference is your opportunity to see firsthand the latest developments in the world of solar energy. Register today to hear from top industry experts and attend dozens of exhibits, workshops and panel discussions as you discover the state of the technology, the state of the market and where both will be tomorrow!

•Learn about the latest solar energy applications for your home and business
•Discover opportunities to tap the renewable energy market and expand your business
•Network with fellow builders, contractors, homeowners and business owners

Keynote speakers
Dr. Lawrence L. Kazmerski
Executive Director of Science and Technology Partnerships, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Dr. Lawrence L. Kazmerski, executive director of science and technology partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, is a solar-energy industry veteran who has authored hundreds of journal papers and several books on solar photovoltaics. For his years of research and work, "Kaz" has received recognition both nationally and internationally.

Travis Bradford
Founder and President - Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development

Travis Bradford is founder and president of the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development, a nonprofit organization focused on harnessing the power of the business sector to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions in technology. In his most recent book, Solar Revolution, Bradford argues that solar energy will become the best and cheapest choice for energy over the next 20 years.

RENEW urges support of Energy Efficiency Resource Standard

Along with the Citizens Utility Board, Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, RENEW Wisconsin sent the following letter:

Dear Senator Kohl and Senator Feingold:

We are writing to urge your support and leadership for a strong national Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS). An EERS will save Americans money and create green jobs in these difficult economic times.

Energy efficiency is the cheapest, cleanest, smartest and most readily available source of American energy. American business owners, academic experts, and states agree: Energy efficiency programs are the most effective way to fast‐track efforts to reduce our overall energy usage, affordably expand the use of renewable energy sources and address climate change. But the current Senate energy bill, S. 1462, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA), does not do enough to help Americans tap the energy efficiency potential at their fingertips.

We are deeply concerned ACELA does not include a stand‐alone EERS. The approach of incorporating a small efficiency component into a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) is no substitute. Indeed, the provisions in the bill will fail to use the potential of an EERS to reduce consumer costs and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy for America. The policy landscape on energy efficiency in this country has changed significantly in the last several years and the 15 percent RES with up to 4 percent for energy efficiency is an artifact from the past. Nineteen states currently have an EERS that, collectively, will reduce overall energy use in the U.S. by about 5 ercent by 2020, makingmaking the provisions in ACELA only slightly more than business as usual and mostly ineffective.

Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing, Oct. 6-8, Milwaukee

The Wisconsin Machine Tool Show (WMTS) features an Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Pavilion to introduce show participants to energy efficient, lean, green, and sustainable manufacturing processes.

The American Wind Energy Association will have a presentation on the wind industry supply chain.

Dave Jenkins from the Office of Energy Independence will update show attendees on ARRA programs and funds.

The German-American Chamber of Commerce will make two presentations:
+ Energy Efficiency in Germany: How U.S. Manufacturers Can Benefit;
+ Supply Chain Opportunities in Renewable Energy.

Focus on Energy will be the Gold Sponsor of the Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Pavilion. They plan to make a presentation each day of the show:
+ Controlling your Energy Costs - An overview of Focus on Energy;
+ A Case Study on Energy Efficiency;
+ Save Energy, Save Money - Getting started with energy self-assessments for small-mid size industrial facilities.

MATC’s Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing and RENEW are also sponsors.