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Energy report points the way to reliable yet environmentally friendly future by Tom Still MADISON -- Too many conversations about Wisconsin's energy future end with environmentalists pointing fingers and utility executives or their customers complaining that science and reality have been disregarded. The "Energy Forum" sponsored by the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative is a shining examples of one energy discussion that wasn't short-circuited. In a 30-page report issued last week, participants in WEI's "Energy Forum" -- a series of meetings that began in the fall of 2001 -- showed it is possible for Wisconsin to have abundant supplies of electricity without sacrificing quality of life or relying on polluting technology. The report, which will be heard by the Senate Energy Committee Wednesday, is a roadmap for state policymakers. Wisconsin will face serious electrical energy problems if demand continues to grow at 2 to 3 percent per year, if attempts to build state-of-the-art generating plants are stymied, and if efforts to improve efficiency or conservation limp along. Written by a mix of environmental and industry leaders, the WEI report aims toward a balanced solution -- and recognizes that reliable energy is essential for economic growth. "Our aging energy infrastructure needs to be upgraded and enhanced in order to provide energy reliably, reduce the overall environmental footprint of the energy system, and take advantage of gains to be made through improved energy efficiency," the report's executive summary said. "In addition, an improved energy infrastructure is necessary for attracting businesses that will keep our economy strong and continue to provide quality jobs." Can that be accomplished in a world in which more energy has traditionally meant more pollution? The WEI Energy Forum offered six goals -- and backed each with specific examples of what's being done today in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Participants want to: 1. Reduce energy demand through
efficiency and conservation. Forum participants identified many ways to increase energy efficiency through tax, financial and regulatory incentives, as well as new measures for buildings, processes and supply chain management. "Green Building" tax credits for efficient new construction is one such incentive. Streamlined building approval processes for contractors who build "green" is another. The report cited many Wisconsin examples of companies improving energy efficiency -- and their bottom lines. West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.'s new headquarters reduced energy consumption by 40 percent per square foot with a corresponding 7 percent increase in employee productivity, comfort and air quality. The Johnson Controls Brengel Technology Center in Milwaukee was one of the first 12 buildings in the world to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification by using cost-effective techniques to save energy and water while improving indoor air quality. Efforts by Don Simon Homes, Quad Graphics, Miller Brewing Co. and Orion Lighting are also highlighted in the report (available through www.wi-ei.org). The report also cites the construction of geothermal schools in Evansville and Fond du Lac, a comprehensive program that has reduced University of Wisconsin and state government energy costs by $7.3 million per year, and a variety of public education efforts to show citizens how saving energy also saves money. Specific ways to increase investment in renewable energy technologies, such as biomass and solar photovoltaic generators, include removing barriers such as utility interconnection standards, inconsistent zoning laws and other local laws that make it tough to try anything new. "Green pricing" programs -- such as those already run by WE Energies, Alliant, Madison Gas & Electric and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. -- give customers the option of paying a premium on their bill to support renewable energy projects. Ways to transform the market include instituting "real-time pricing," which allows customers to take advantage of lower prices during low-use periods of the day, and increasing the diversity of distributed generation. Distributed generation is characterized by decentralized, smaller-scale energy sources located close to the point of use. Finally, the report urged creation of "super-reliable, high-quality power" to attract biotechnology, micro-processing and other New Economy industries. That included development of hydrogen fuel cells -- currently ignored by state policy -- and highly efficient "cogeneration" plants, such as the plant proposed by Madison Gas & Electric for the UW-Madison campus. Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy, which reduces waste compared to a traditional plant. "Utilities that go above-and-beyond to achieve meaningful environmental goals should be offered greater flexibility and incentives such as lower government fees and expedited government review," said John Imes, executive director of WEI. "By setting binding targets for environmental performance and allowing utilities the choices for reaching them, we can spur technological advances, abundant energy resources and environmental responsibility." The "Energy Forum" report can help end Wisconsin's energy wars by blending efficiency and conservation efforts with new technology, systems and market realities. At a time when energy security is about to take on renewed significance, the WEI report is like a light bulb coming on in a dark room. Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council and the former associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.
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