City, Focus, Summit Team Up on New Energy Efficiency Program – Journal Sentinel Online – Though this program is Milwaukee based, the City of Madison will be launching a similar program soon. The Green Madison program will offer low interest financing to homeowners participating in the Home Performance with ENERGYSTAR program.
Legislative Committee Clears Way For Stricter Wind Farm Regulations – Wisconsin State Journal - The Public Service Commission’s rules that were set last year were due to take effect last week but the standards were suspended by the Republican lawmakers that opposed it. They’d like the siting rules to much stricter and beneficial to landowners.
Biz Beat: Energy Programs Get Walker Ax – The Cap Times – Governor Walker’s proposed budget eliminates the Office Of Energy Independence, reduces the goal of gasoline reduction from 50% to only 20%, gets rid of guidelines requiring hybrid or alternative energy vehicles, and eliminates the Small Business Environmental Council, amongst other cuts. Along with the wind siting changes and the proposed reduction in the PSC’s energy efficiency programs, Wisconsin will be taking a dramatic step back in energy and will guarantee our continued dependence on fossil fuels.
Local Utility Helps School Save Money and Improve Its Lighting – The Columbus Journal – Columbus Water & Light, with grants from Focus On Energy and WPPI, will make lighting improvements to St. Jerome’s School that will save $1,500 annually.