September 26, 2007
Rising energy costs and concern for energy security and the environment are driving forces in a growing trend to incorporate renewable energy technology into residential housing. Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® Homes Program recognize this as an opportunity for builders.
Focus on Energy offers a checklist of building details to help you with the construction of a new home that is built “ready” for future renewable energy installations.
June 13, 2007
The following list from Focus on Energy shows the utilities that are participating in Focus on Energy as of July 1, 2007. Customers of those utilities are eligible to apply for grants and incentives from Focus.
The first list consists of electric utilities. The second list consists of natural gas utilities. There are 9 new electric utilities participating in July and 3 new gas utilities. These are highlighted in bold.
ELECTRIC UTILITIES PARTICIPATING IN FOCUS
Alliant Energy
Argyle Electric & Water Utility
Belmont Municipal Light & Water
Benton Electric & Water Utility
Bloomer Electric & Water Utility
Cadott Light & Water Department
Cashton Light & Water
Centuria Municipal Electric Utility
Consolidated Water & Power Company
Cornell Municipal Light Department
Cumberland Municipal Utility
Dahlberg Light & Power Company
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
Elroy Electric & Water Utility
Gresham Water & Electric Plant
Kiel Utilities
La Farge Municipal Utilities
Madison Gas & Electric
Medford Electric Utility
North Central Power Co. Inc.
Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company
Pardeeville Public Utilities
Pioneer Power & Light Co.
Price Electric Cooperative
Princeton Light & Water Department
Rice Lake Utilities
Richland Electric Cooperative
Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative
Shawano Municipal Utilities
Shullsburg Electric Utility
Spooner Municipal Electric Utility
Stratford Water & Electric Department
Superior Water, Light & Power Company
Viola Municipal Electric Utility
We Energies
Westfield Electric Company
Wisconsin Public Service Corp.
Wonewoc Water & Light Department
Xcel Energy
NATURAL GAS UTILITIES PARTICIPATING IN FOCUS
Alliant Energy
City Gas Company
Madison Gas & Electric
Midwest Natural Gas, Inc.
St. Croix Valley Natural Gas
Superior Water, Light & Power
We Energies
Wisconsin Public Service
Xcel Energy
May 2, 2007
Hot Water Products is helping to lead the Wisconsin plumbing and heating trades into the 21st century. A wholesale distributor for the BradfordWhite Corporation and manufacturer’s representative for Heat Transfer Products, the fast-growing Milwaukee-based company is also:
• A national leader in introducing high-efficiency modulating boilers.
• The developer of its own “Boiler Buddy” system.
• A training center for solar heating applications.
• An expert in tax credits for energy incentive programs.
• A sales partner for distributors and contractors.
• An installation, maintenance, and warranty provider offering 24/7 service in emergencies.“Clearly, we’re not your typical rep firm,” says Howard Endres, founder and president. “But our unique position allows us direct contact with the manufacturers, providing the best possible service to our plumbing and heating customers.”
Gregory “Jack” Daniels, vice president, who joined three years ago as partner says the company’s entire focus is on equipment that deals with hot water—from boilers and hydronics heating systems to water heaters and solar panels.
“One of the many things we bring to the table,” says Daniels, “is a strong background in working with state and local utilities’ energy-incentive programs and an in-depth understanding of federal tax credits, which provides advantages for wholesalers, contractors, and their customers.”
To take just one example, Hot Water Products worked with its customers in the trades on a high-rise apartment complex in Milwaukee. Through the statewide Focus on Energy program, the property owner was able to replace an old boiler system, receive nearly a $5,000 rebate, and enjoy significantly lower monthly heating bills thanks to the new technology.
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February 11, 2007
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Room 400 SE, State Capitol
RENEW Wisconsin and the Madison Peak Oil Group invite legislators, aides, Capitol staff, lobbyists, agency staff, and the general public to a series brown-bag lunches on energy-related issues.
Without a doubt, this legislative session will see several bills and administrative rules on energy issues, and the brown-bag lunches will provide the background and context to help with a better understanding of the underlying issues. The briefings will be non-partisan and will not offer positions on any proposals pending at the time.
Focus on Energy: Status and Future, presented by Kathy Kuntz, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.
For more information contact Ed Blume.
July 21, 2006
Channel 3 reports that the Monona Terrace will be adding solar water heaters and Tri-North Builders will relocate into one of the greenest buildings in Dane County.
See the story at Channel 3.
October 7, 2005
Sens. Cowles, Ellis: Utility Customers Shafted Due To Bad State Budgeting
MADISON – Today two veteran State Senators strongly criticized the bipartisan raid of $55 million in energy efficiency and conservation funds this year. Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) specifically charged that poor state budgeting will lead to future electricity and natural gas rate increases.
“At a time when we are seeing electricity rates and natural gas prices soar, we shouldn’t be taking these backwards steps,” said Cowles. “Raiding the energy conservation fund is absolutely going in the wrong direction.”
Read the full release on wispolitics.com.
