Alliance for Sustainability

Energy

• Goal 1:

  The Chequamegon Bay region has reduced total fossil fuel consumption for electricity and heating by 30% since 2006 through the use of renewable and alternative energies, green building techniques and city-wide policies, coordinated by SCI´s Energy Conservation and Awareness Program.

  Objective A:

  Partner with Bayfield Electric and Xcel Energy to produce cleaner energy.

  Actions:

  1. Gain technical and financial support for small scale renewable energy generation.
  2. Assist utilities and new producers in providing 20% of energy from alternative sources including five commercial scale wind turbines in the region.
  3. Work with Xcel Energy and City of Ashland to provide heat for businesses on main street Ashland from Xcel Energy´s hot water line.
  4. Lead coalition of partners that enables the Xcel Bayfront plant to convert to 75% bio-based fuels.
  5. Create an inventory of current energy sources and total usage in region.
  6. Develop an online energy use database that is automatically updated for each billing cycle; providing homeowners, businesses and government offices the ability to receive their monthly energy use and bills online and monitor their energy use.

  Objective B:

  Reduce dependence in region on imported forms of energy by 20% from 2006.

  Actions:

  1. Promote energy efficiency through the formation of a Chequamegon Energy Conservation Program, which provides education and awareness by working with residences and business to improve building and business efficiency.
  2. Facilitate energy audits and energy load assessments to businesses and residents as part of the energy program so that 50% of businesses and 50% of homes have had an audit completed by 2011.
  3. Develop an energy inventory and monitoring database connected to the web that allows homeowners, businesses and government buildings to enter their monthly energy use in order to record and observe trends and progress.
  4. Identify and publicize financial assistance opportunities for energy efficiency.
  5. Provide technical assistance for citizens interested in seeking funding for energy efficiency remodeling projects.
  6. Partner with Wisconsin Focus on Energy program to enlist state expertise and funds to further energy efficiency.
  7. Investigate and promote opportunities for utilizing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems.

  Objective C:

  Produce a Green Home Bulletin, a tool for homeowners wanting to connect with others in the region who have incorporated green designs into their homes; lists a contact number and description of projects as well as a guide for green building materials and builders in the area (see Housing section, Objective C, Action b).

  Actions:

  1. Research format and content for bulletin.
  2. Identify volunteers to write and distribute the bulletin.
  3. Solicit contributors and ´subscribers´.
  4. Develop a business plan for the bulletin.
  5. Develop an online web page where homeowners can post their information and link to a local used material bulletin web page.

WASTE - Reusable Resources

• Goal 1:

  The concept of "Waste" has been replaced with "reusable resources." This conceptual change occurred over the past five years through education as well as practical applications of new technology. Almost no "waste" in the region is land-filled.

  Objective A:

  Assess how the region is managing its waste stream.

  Actions:

  1. Convene a meeting with cities, towns and the tribes to get an overview of waste management practices in the region.
  2. Coordinate an assessment of the current systems with waste contractors.
  3. With assistance from contractors and municipalities quantify the annual waste generated in the region by type.

  Objective B:

  In cooperation with the Chequamegon Institute, install a low- or no-emissions waste-to-energy system that re-uses non-recyclable waste in the region to create synfuels for local transportation needs.

  Actions:

  1. Research best practices and assist in securing grants for pilot project.
  2. Assist in conducting a comprehensive inventory of biomass resources in the region.
  3. Encourage and promote involvement of cities, tribes and counties in bio-based energy projects.

  Objective C:

  Support creation of a compost collection center located in all towns as part of a region-wide contract with a new reusable resource management company.

  Actions:

  1. Secure a grant that provides education on composting and enables establishment of centers and distribution of bins.
  2. Provide compost generated at each center to local citizens and farmers.
  3. Encourage and facilitate the development of community gardens, available in all towns, where compost is also available and wooden raised beds for senior citizens allow for easier gardening.

  Objective D:

  Provide comprehensive recycling centers in all communities of the Chequamegon Bay region (see Housing, Objective C).

  Actions:

  1. Encourage drop off and resale of used lumber and other construction and building materials.
  2. Create the used material bulletin, print and web based -linked to the new Green Home Bulletin - that allows citizens to list any building materials or other used items for sale, exchange or give-away.
  3. Assist small businesses in starting repair and reuse shops for items that had previously been sent to landfills.