Green Jobs Fuel American Economy

OAKLAND, Calif. — Two new reports on the impacts of moving to a low-carbon economy show putting money toward energy efficiency, building retrofits and renewable energy projects can create 1.7 million new jobs, significantly more than the same investment in fossil fuel industries.

Green Prosperity cover The reports were released today in tandem by four groups: Green for All, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) worked together on the “Green Prosperity” study, while PERI also worked with the Center for American Progress on the “Economic Benefits” report.

Together, the reports show the economic, environmental and social impacts of investing about $150 billion per year in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies; that number includes funding from the federal stimulus package signed into law in February as well as the proposals in the Waxman-Markey climate bill that is currently making… (read more)

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Clouds & Leaves on a Sunny Day

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Smart Grid Coming To Milwaukee

WASHINGTON – Thomas Alva Edison, meet the Internet.

More than a century after Edison invented a reliable light bulb, the nation’s electricity distribution system, an aging spider web of power lines,

Tour of Growing Power

We had the opportunity to tour Growing Power (PHOTOS) with about 20 members ranging from the ages of 3 to 93. Not only do we promote bio-diversity, we promote diversity across the board. Thanks for coming everyone and see you next week at the Gathering Waters Festival!

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Cost of wind farm project falls Glacier Hills will likely be built for $413.5 million

Wind turbine prices have fallen significantly in recent months amid the economic slowdown, and that, in turn, has brought down the projected cost to build the state’s largest wind farm.

The Glacier Hills Wind Park in Columbia County is now projected to cost a maximum of $413.5 million, down from a projection of $525.6 million when We Energies announced the project last year.

The Milwaukee utility is seeking to build the project in the next several years to comply with a state law that requires 10% of Wisconsin’s electricity be supplied by wind turbines and other renewable energy sources by 2015.

“Market conditions for the procurement of wind turbine equipment have changed considerably” since the utility first submitted its proposal to the state Public Service Commission, We Energies said in a filing with state regulators. ( More via JSOnline )

Train advocates eye experimental Amtrak route between Chicago and Green Bay

APPLETON — Local passenger rail advocates want Amtrak to establish an experimental passenger train route between Chicago and Green Bay.

Bringing passenger trains back to the Fox Valley would connect this area to the world economy and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of travelers, according to the representatives from the group called NEWRails, which is dedicated to renewing passenger rail service after a 39-year absence.

“We could transport people from here and get them connected to Chicago, one of the biggest economic engines in the country and the world. That’s an incredibly powerful thing to have,” said Paul Linzmeyer, president of the organization and a founder of New North, an economic development consortium of 18 counties in Northeastern Wisconsin.

Milwaukee’s urban market is cream of the crops

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Public Market is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the annual Summerfest celebration that runs June 25-July 5 along the lakefront.

After all, a market stop makes it SummerFeast.

The 25,000-square-foot downtown market is loosely based on Pike Place in Seattle and has been called a model for a potential Chicago market. The market is three blocks west of the Summerfest grounds.

During an early May visit to the Milwaukee market I picked up some smooth cheese curds at the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop and Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat beer (whose provocative bottles are banned in Michigan!) at Thief Wine Shop and Bar. A stranger looked at me, smiled and said, “Cheese curds and beer, that’s all you need.”

Welcome to Milwaukee.

Solar-tastic in China

China is often branded a climate killer. Well, with 70 percent of its energy needs coming from coal this vast country is indeed one of the key culprits. But what’s little reported is the nation is making some giant strides in green innovation. Don’t believe us? Take a trip to Dezhou, a city in east China where the sun always shines.

Enter “Green Effect” Contest and win $20,000

Edward Norton is joining a panel of esteemed green judges to help decide the winners of the “Green Effect” national contest sponsored by SunChips and National Geographic. The competition, which launched on Earth Day, gives people the chance to say how they would make their communities greener. Five winners will be selected and receive $20,000 each to help make their ideas a reality.

Joining Norton in the judging are National Geographic’s Boyd Matson, eco-activist Jayni Chase (wife of Chevy Chase), Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green for All and Dave Haft, Group Vice President, Sustainability and Productivity, Frito-Lay. The contest is open to any green sustainable ideas you might have for your community until June 8th. On July 7th, the top 10 finalists will be announced and online voting will decide one of them. The judges will have their say on the rest for the remaining four spots. ( via ecorazzi )