02/01/08 -- Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz addressed a group of UW-Madison students, vowing to keep environmental issues at the forefront of issues facing the city. Madison is already a leader in city-wide efforts to be more environmentally conscious.

2/01/08 - Gov. Jim Doyle has convened a Global Warming Task Force and the state Legislature is debating whether to place limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. Global warming hits home

2/01/08 - A Wisconsin State bill, which would have mandated renewable fuel options for the near future, was scheduled to vote on Thursday but was delayed and sent back to committee. Senate passes alcohol ID bill, ethanol bill stalls

2/01/08 - Wisconsin lawmakers held a conference on Thursday to address the State's responsibility for global warming. All of the lawmakers agreed that the voters and not the lobbyists could be the strongest influence in passing legislation.
Lawmakers urge more action on global warming

2/01/08 - While some still debate the effects of global warming, the continually changing and unusual winter temperatures in Wisconsin are changing more than the way people think about climate change. Ice quake rocks campus

2/01/08 - Sick of the second-hand effects of nearby smokers? A Milwaukee-area inventor devised a progressive alternative you may want to suggest to your smoking colleagues. Wisconsin inventor creates smokeless cigarette

2/01/08 - Marquette University's engineering school has received another large donation which will go toward, among many objectives, "renovating the curriculum" and "building a new facility." In addition, the funds will toward an "energy workshop" designed for students "to explore and address energy-related issues by studying energy resources and uses." Engineering school gets another $25 million

2/01/08 - A big name grocery store is taking small steps to making your shopping experience a little greener. See how you can help protect the environment while you shop with no hassle. Whole Foods Market stops use of plastic bags...

01/31/08 --Including green incentives in the federal economic stimulus plan would greatly help the Wisconsin economy grow, since it is seeing an increase in renewable energies that could use the incentives (in the form of tax breaks) to better compete with conventional energy sources, such as oil and coal.

1/31/08 - Seventeen endangered whooping cranes from a Wisconsin bird refuge safely reached their winter destination in Florida after being escorted by ultralight aircraft. Their arrival is a success for the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, an international organization dedicated to reintroducing the bird to its traditional North American range.

1/31/08 MADISON - Bill put on hold. The state Senate is delaying consideration of a bill that would require renewable fuels to be at least 10 percent of the fuel sold in the state starting in 2009. Bill sponsor Democratic Sen. Pat Kreitlow says the measure needs some more work before the Senate takes it up again.

1/31/08 – Menasha utilities has planned a $12.8M project to improve water safety standards. The new project and facilities will require a 37 percent water rate increase and are not as effective in water cleaning as other local water treatment facilities. Lake Winnebago will also see another 14 million gallons of water pumped back into it daily.

1/30/08- Kohl's Corp of Menomonee Falls ranks eighth in the nation in the amount of energy the retailer buys from renewable energy sources, federal officials said Tuesday.

1/30/08 - Governor Doyle visited the Wausau Business Incubator last week to promote his 'green agenda' as revealed in his State of the State address. He highlighted a Wausau alternative energy company, PDM Solar.

1/30/08- EcoEnergy is looking to add wind farms to the Evansville community. The company plans to erect three turbines while the energy produced would then be sold off to the Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI). WPPI hopes to build additional energy facilities in four other Wisconsin communities.
Evansville Might get Wind Farm - SS

1/30/08 - UW-Whitewater has been a leader amongst the UW schools in energy reduction during the last two years. A future residence hall to be built on the Whitewater campus will be constructed according to energy efficient standards.

1/30/08 - Biologist Greg Kleinheinz and Stacy Hron of Miller Engineers and Scientists of Sheboygan presented a plan for studying and cleaning up Bradley Lake (aka Little Lake). Studies are expected to begin within the next month or so.

1/30/08 - LEED is working toward providing eco-friendly guidelines for new construction and remodeling in the Sturgeon Bay area.

1/30/08-- The River Falls Journal today discussed the new law about the sale phosphorus fertilizers with the River Falls city limits. The city officials are worried about the muck that ruining Lake George and the run off into the Kinnickinnic River. However the Hardware store owners feel the economic side of the law, that sends the customers into Hudson to buy the fertilizers that have been banned within River Falls.

1/30/08 -- The Wausau Daily Herald reports that the US Department of Energy is offering millions of dollars for a Wisconsin Rapids mill to build an ethanol plant as part of an initiative to reduce US oil consumption. Officials are unsure if the project is feasible. Wausau Daily Herald

1/30/08 - NIMBY-ism hits Lisbon (SA 24, SS 8) as local residents resist plans by Halquist Stone Company to expand its quarry. Halquist has hosted the popular Dozer Day fundraiser and is popular in the community, but neighbors are worried about its expansion plans.

1/29/08 - EVANSVILLE - Residents learn about a wind turbine proposal, which is part of the Evansville/Wisconsin Public Power project.

1/29/08-- Is your home energy efficient? The Chippewa Herald features personal accounts and presents persuasive arguments in terms of economically lower that electricity bill and keeping the house warm. It's never too early or late to start improving your home.-RC Chippewa Herald: Green makes sense in having an energy-efficient home

1/29/08 -- Your hydration habits may be contributing to global warming and pollution! The Marquette Tribune's Eric Lombardi assesses how America's increasing consumption of bottled water is negatively affecting the environment at astounding numbers.Marquette Tribune: The Dark Side of Bottled Water

1/29/08 -- Wondering where U.S. Presidental candidates stand on the issue of climate change and other environmental issues? Milwaukee's Shepherd Express provides a simplified breakdown of the leading candidates' recent environmental track records and future policy proposals. Shepherd Express: Earth Talk

1/29/08 – Pete Brach of the Appleton Post-Crescent reported that the SCA tissue mill in the Town of Menasha has invested 23 million dollars in its own productions. The mill which uses only recycled tissue has installed new machinery which will reduce its operating costs by increasing their energy effeciency, making them more competitive on the world market while also becoming more environmentally friendly. SCA tissue plant gets $23 million makeover


1/28/08-- The Milwaukee Business Journal. 2008 Green Manufacturing Summit
Business leaders to share tips on how to get started manufacturing products in a low cost, energy efficient manner. Aimed at small or mid-sized businesses.
When: 2008-01-29, 8:00 - 11:45 am
Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center 1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee
-MOB

1/28/08 -- The Badger Herald,Greenhouse emissions could be down by 2020
Wisconsin Environment released a plan this past Friday that, if followed, could help Wisconsin reduce its greenhouse emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. It includes such actions as "putting a moratorium on new coal power plants, capping emissions and implementing a carbon credit trading system for companies that cannot reduce emissions, strengthening energy efficiency programs, and requiring 20 percent of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020."
Critics of the plan argue that in terms of global climate change, Wisconsin is comparatively a drop in thebucket and change at the state-level will not have as far reaching of an impact as proponents might think. The article does not mentionwhy 2020or 1990 levels were chosen as a goals. The plan, "Blueprint for Action on Global Warming in Wisconsin," is part of the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act, which is currently stalled in both houses of the legislature. -- kd

1/28/08 - Saukville residents can look for a new wind turbine to appear if current efforts are allowed to proceed. The Riveredge Nature Center is proposing construction of the turbine to showcase how businesses can generate their own energy. Thankfully the town appears to be open to this clean alternative to dirty, coal-fired power plants that have been linked to high levels of mercury contamination. - GV

1/27/08 – Todd Krysiak reported for theSauk Prairie Eaglethat the five proposed solutions to the Otter Creek flooding issues were all shown to be ineffective over the next 100 years. Computer simulated models showed that the proposed solutions to the flooding problem only created more flooding elsewhere along the creek. The creek is naturally likely to flood due to high bedrock and shallow topsoil. No 'silver bullet' for Otter Creek flooding issues.

1/27/08 -- The Baraboo News Republic reports that a portion of the Badger Ammunition Plant will soon be handed over to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The transfer is projected to be made in September of 2008 upon completion of a twelve-year environmental cleanup of hazardous wastes, but it is estimated that the land will not be open for public use until 2013. Badger Plant to Give Some Land to DNR

1/27/08 -- According to the Baraboo News Republic, about ninety residents of Baraboo gathered at a local equipment garage to protest the development of a quarry that many believed would negatively affect the local landscape. The Baraboo Plan Commission unanimously agreed, and the issue will now be decided by the Town Board on February 11 at 7:00 pm. Commission: No Quarry

1/26/08 - Volunteers are working to make Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail accessible for more to enjoy. The trail runs through the Kettle Moraine State Forrest and almost every region of Wisconsin.

1/26/08-- The Door County Advocate "Little Lake Cleanup Plan Presented" allowed Sturgeon Bay residents to receive their first glimpse of plans to study Bradley Lake by biologists from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The two-phase plan will start taking samples to determine the chemical compounds suspended in the muck with the ultimate goal of creating a solid plan to rehabilitate Bradley Lake. Bradley Lake serves as a storm water discharge point for a large area of the city, preliminary solutions include removal of plant material, possibly diverting storm water, or creating a new storm water detention area for removal of solids. The plan is tentatively set to be shown to the public in spring 2009. – SS

1/25/08 -- The Badger Herald"State looks to give green appliances tax break" A new bill now in the Assembly, as part of Wisconsin's Green Economy Agenda, would lift the sales tax on Energy Star appliances purchased in the 7 days prior to Earth Day (April 21). It applies to residential-use appliances under $1,500 and has been lauded for bringing together typically opposed groups, such as the Sierra Club and business organizations, who are both in support of such a measure for encouraging consumption that respects environmental concerns.- kd

1/24/08 - The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has requested that some Waukesha County parks be opened to archery and small game hunting. This seems reasonable for the most part. The only problem - and the main difference here between opening the parks to hunting and to other recreational pursuits - is that hunting is somewhat incompatible with hiking, birdwatching, etc. In order to protect the safety of the public, the parks would need to be closed during hunting season, which would eliminate the multiple uses of the park. Ultimately, this may be a point of compromise, but it does not quite follow that hunting should be treated the same as other recreational uses. --GV

1/23/08 -- A bill requiring Wisconsin to increase the use of biofuels to 25% of all transportation fuel was positively received during public hearings in Madison on January 16, 2008, according to the Edgar Record Review. The bill is authored by State Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford), and is supported by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the American Lung Association of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection.Suder, Kreitlow propose state use 25% biofuels

1/17/08 - The EPA has ruled that the Fox River cleanup must commence in 2009, not 2010 as the paper companies responsible for the cleanup wanted. The faster this mess gets cleaned up, the better. --GV

1/15/08 - Good news for the Pabst Brewery redevelopment. Zilber Ltd. is bringing what it learned from building a "green house" in Hawaii to Milwaukee. Let's make LEED certification standard on new developments in town! --GV

9/10 - Greenland's ice seems to be melting even faster than predicted, further showing physical evidence of global warming6/26 - Air pollution in Hong Kong is beginning to drive businesses out. Raw sewage and other pollutants are destroying Lake Victoria's ecosystem and if the bordering cities don't do something about it it will destroy their economies as well.5/15 - Any guesses as to the percentage of China's Yellow River flow that is raw sewage? Ecotality has your answer.5/11 - The disappearance of honeybees is a story that has received far too little attention. Here is a look at the issue from a Wisconsin perspective. The implications are potentially far worse than any terrorist threats we face, yet our response has largely been indifference.5/2 - Wisconsin's Green Tier hasn't exactly been catching on like wildfire. This is a problem worth thinking a lot about, how to encourage voluntary compliance by state industries.5/1 - NPR is running a series this week on climate change that is worth checking out.4/30 - Computer models have been predicting really scary global warming scenarios, and skeptics have been dismissive of these "fabrications." Interestingly, new data on arctic ice suggest that these models have been TOO CONSERVATIVE! 4/30 - Russian oil flares seem to be one of the greatest contributors of global warming and have killed billions of migrating birds.4/29 - Menards seems to be especially nonchalant about their potential culpability in spreading the emerald ash borer. File this story under corporations seeking to protect profits at the expense of a potential environmental catastrophe.4/26 - Wisconsin DNR issued new pollution regulations that will likely result in significant reductions in ozone levels. Befitting the complexity of this issue, none of the interested parties seem happy with the outcome.4/22 - Mayor Gary Becker of Racine is showing some real political leadership in attempting to put the city on an environmental path. This should be a model for all of Wisconsin's cities.4/20 - The Journal-Sentinel offers an interesting challenge in its editorial on the KK river today. Here's the relevant passage: Still, the cleanup is hardly a done deal, as Peter McAvoy of the Sixteenth Street center pointed out to us on Thursday. The governor has earmarked the money, but legislators - this would be a good priority for the Milwaukee delegation - need to make sure the earmark stays intact through the budget process. And both the city and the sewerage district also need to follow through on their plans. One of the purposes of this site is to monitor public officials to see if they follow through on promises to protect the environment. So, we're going to create a page that is specifically designed to follow the case of the KK river as cleanup efforts wind their way through the various mazes of bureaucratic politics. If you have any updates, send them along to our email address.4/19 - CNET reviews the 12 greenest cars of 2007.4/18 - With Earth Day approaching, it is useful to think about how the event is marked. Most of the ideas are of the inconsequential variety, like teaching kids about their food. More effective would be to take your kids to an industrial hog farm to see how their food that they eat the other 364 days of the year is produced. Except they would get extremely sick from the noxious air pollution that surrounds these cesspools of filth and the experience would be so deeply unsettling that the repercussions would be difficult to predict. Perhaps this can be called food for thought.4/17 - Home Depot joins the ranks of the environmental economy with a new program to identify eco-friendly products.4/16 - greenvoting.com was at the Chicago Step It Up event.4/15 - Thomas Friedman joins the Green Movement.4/13 - The Journal-Sentinel gets it right on the issue of the fish virus.4/13 - The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has just recently donated $100 million dollars to fund efforts to curb global warming, with its main focus being promoting the adoption of clean-energy technologies. Last Wednesday Governor Schwarzenegger spoke at Georgetown, saying that environmentalism will become mainstream, with California leading the way. Also in the news, Exxon Mobil and other companies continue to fight the state of California over improving the condition of oil terminals in the port of LA, even though they are in disrepair and in danger of spilling. 4/11 - Saturday is the national day of climate action. Here is information about the rally planned for Milwaukee and here is a list of events scheduled for other cities and towns in the state.4/9- A new form of clean energy, helium 3, and the best place to get it is from the moon. Also Kazakhstan is taking positive steps in fixing the worst environmental disaster in history, the drying up of the Aral Sea.4/7 - Wind farms seem a promising source of alternative energy, but they seem to elicit hostility at every turn. The case in Two Rivers, WI is pretty typical.4/6 - It's pretty scary when the consensus, toned-down report on climate change expects catastrophic consequences from global warming.4/5-Not only are the arctic regions faced with rising temperatures, they are also being dealt a huge blow from Russian industry. One Siberian city is the largest producer of palladium and consequently of acid rain. In addition to this, Russia has still not done anything about its abandoned nuclear submarines, which are in danger of leaking radioactive material. Luckily Japan has agreed to pay for the dismantling of 5 of these subs, but more support is needed.4/4 - Headway being made on the effort to control climate changing gas emissions. And while George Bush thinks that his administration is doing enough on that front, Congress and the states are taking matters into their own hands.4/2 - The X Prize is looking for a 100 mpg car. This might be the suburbanites' dream, but it extends what may be an unsustainable pattern of development - outward - rather than providing incentives to develop inward. Still, with gas prices edging toward $3.00 per gallon, it sounds attractive.4/1 - Not that this is much of a surprise, but the biggest losers in the global warming sweepstakes are likely to be the poorer nations on earth. That ought to make the US more popular in the world.3/31 - Plug-in hybrids may be the next big thing in urban markets, and Milwaukee's Johnson Controls is developing the batteries. 3/30 - The mismanagement of government among members of the Bush administration is simply mindboggling, especially in the area of environmental protection. The complete betrayal of the public interest, the undermining of agency professionals and scientists, and the blatant promotion of corporate malfeasance is simply unprecedented in this country. Even Warren G. Harding would be shocked.3/29 - John Kerry seems to be getting the message. Let's let people back into the environmental movement.3/28 - While we're just getting started here, one group that's been at it for a while is Clean Wisconsin. Check out their work when you can.3/27 - Temperatures literally rising.3/26 - As we edge closer to tax day and more talk turns to the confusing tax code, wouldn't it be nice if in the next couple of years we started seeing more articles in the news discussing the great tax breaks available for environmentally conscious investments like solar panels?3/25 - A stunning look at the effects of global warming on Wisconsin. This is an absolute must read for anyone in Wisconsin. Reporters Lee Bergquist and Thomas Content deserve major accolades for putting this fine piece of journalism together.3/23 - If you live in northeast Wisconsin, here are your new brownfield redevelopment sites. 3/21 - Al Gore on the Hill today. Anybody want to bet that the science fiction writer is right instead?3/20 - Can open-pit mines be successfully reclaimed? Here's evidence that they can, although final reviews still await.3/19 - Too bad our corporate and community leaders are satisfied with 20th century fixes for our energy needs. If the Oak Creek plant cooling tower is really just a question of trade offs, what would it cost to trade for some progressive leadership?3/18 - Lake Michigan is shrinking and the implications are vast for economic and environmental concerns. Evidence suggests that a combination of drought, natural hydrology, and dredging for shipping lanes has led to the problem and no easy fix is in sight.3/17 - The good news is that the United States experienced average temperatures for the winter months. The bad news is that the earth experienced its hottest winter on record (since 1880). Global warming cannot be measured by what the U.S. experiences, a point to be remembered next time someone tries to point out that the Atlantic hurricane season was mild last year.3/16 - Wisconsin DNR has announced that it will force power companies to reduce mercury emissions by 90% in a little more than a decade's time. Jon Heinrich is the state's lead mercury regulator and Scott M. Manley is the director of environmental policy for the shortsighted Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce association. More importantly Wisconsin will not participate in emissions trading schemes which don't work for a localized pollutant like mercury. For more on mercury in the environment, take a look at the report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.3/15 - The misconnected storm sewer at Miller Park is really gross. And it would be nice if a little more urgency was felt on the matter of responsibility. Consider this excerpt from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article today: At this time, he does not intend to fix blame on a contractor for the one known mistake..."We would have to reconstruct whether plans were in error or if inspections were in error, and that could involve several parties," Duckett said. "And if it is an old Milwaukee County Stadium connection, I don't know who would be asked to pay for that."It is precisely this type of attitude that has resulted in the general degradation of the waters around Milwaukee. How about ditching the "it's too hard" attitude and instead finding the responsible parties, holding them accountable for their actions, and having some pride in the quality of the water around here?3/14 - Step it up. Get inspired.3/13 - No wonder these guys like ethanol so much.3/12 - Here come the hit pieces.3/11 - Lovely thought as the weather warms. Human Feces + Water Recreation = Summer Fun?3/10 - The Rev. Jim Ball asks, "What would Jesus drive?"3/9 - European nations have decided that the Kyoto Treaty doesn't go far enough and have committed to further reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.3/8 - Rachel Carson may have warned us of the dangers of industrial chemicals, but we're still flirting with disaster and the chemical industry is working hard to keep us from finding out the truth. Today's chemical is Bisphenol-A.3/7 - Travelers in Wisconsin spent nearly $13 billion last year, a billion dollar increase from the year before. This is another example of the underlying compatibility between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.3/6 - It is truly amazing that it has taken so long for solar energy to reach the household market. But, programs like WE Energies buyback plan, where the utility will actually purchase electricity from a solar-equipped house, will go a long way toward spreading the use of solar technology. Other innovations like micro-metering point to breakthroughs in the way we think about electricity supply. If you get a chance, make sure to visit the Urban Ecology Center of Milwaukee's east side. It is the largest producer of solar electricity in the state.3/5 - The environment is a huge crossover issue and the issue of rural development is one of the most opportune for forging new alliances. How do we get farmers and environmentalists on the same page on this issue?3/4 - The Fox River Valley is trying to figure out how to do mass transit on the small scale and a forthcoming loss of federal subsidies will make things even more difficult. Is it worth the effort?3/3 - New emission estimates show that the United States will make virtually no progress in the next decade in reducing the release of gases that contribute to global warming. Wonder if the New England maple syrup farmers have anything to say about that?3/2 - Pulp and paper mills in the United States are having a hard time competing with cheaper Chinese products. If the job losses are inevitable, wouldn't this be a good time to start subsidizing new, environmentally friendly technologies that would provide the paper mill with a specialty niche? If the company profiled in this article bore a certified "green" stamp of approval, is there any doubt that certain customers would buy their products instead of the dirty, polluting Chinese alternatives?3/1 - Somehow I missed this critical examination of Wisconsin's contribution to global warming when it ran earlier in the month. Wisconsin apparently contributes greenhouse gases at a pace about a third faster than the national average and the primary culprit seems to be coal.2/28 - Waukesha still trying to balance urban sprawl and a lack of fresh water to sustain itself.2/27 - Is anybody else concerned about the disappearance of honeybees?2/26 - An Inconvenient Truth took home the Oscar for best documentary. What does this portend for environmental politics in the next two years? Comment below.