HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Chapter ENERGY
Energy comes in various forms. Some sources are widely available and renewable such as
the sun or wind. Other sources are less accessible, such as fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural
gas or radioactive minerals that need to be extracted from the parts of the earth where they
occur. Modern industrial societies use very large amounts of energy to heat and cool
buildings,provide lighting,produce food, transport people and goods, run machines, and
provide communications.
Cities need to import energy for their concentrated human populations. Transporting energy
via roads, rail, ships,pipelines or wires takes energy, land and money and carries
environmental risks. A more sustainable city would get more of its energy locally. The term
"energy independence" has been coined to cover both import reduction and development of
domestic energy sources.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
➢ 32.8% of all energy use as of 2016 in Wisconsin is attributed to the industrial
sector, followed by transportation (24.4%), residential (22.5%), and commercial
(20.2%).
➢ The majority of electricity in 2017 is generated by coal-fired power plants (55%).
Meanwhile, only 9.3% electricity is generated from renewable energies.
➢ The Point Beach nuclear power plant provides 15% of Wisconsin's energy, but is
one of the oldest plants currently in operation.
The state of Wisconsin is not energy independent. The state consumes 1,891 trillion BTUs of
energy, but only produces 309.8 trillion BTUs within its borders (nuclear, biofuels, and other
renewable). For a state like Wisconsin, which has no coal, oil, natural gas or uranium
resources, energy independence is a call to develop state and local energy resources that
build local economies. Wisconsin-based renewable energy resources include sun, wind,
hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. Shifting away from fossil fuels has the significant
benefits of avoiding pollution that negatively impacts health and increases greenhouse gases.
Energy conservation is a beneficial, achievable, and necessary step towards a sustainable
energy system. The technical means to improve energy efficiency is available and ranges
from simple insulation to complex electronics. Energy conservation should take top priority
because the lowering of energy demand makes energy independence easier to achieve
because local renewable sources do not have to be as large, while energy cost savings can
provide funds for further conservation improvements or new sources.
Objective: Foster energy conservation and local energy Production from renewable
resources.
Policies
Buildings.
➢ Encourage the wider use of ENERGY STAR and other sustainable-labeled building
materials, appliances and electronics (e.g.,programmable thermostats, lighting fixtures,
low-emittance glazed windows, insulation, heating and cooling equipment, washers and
dryers, water heaters, office equipment and refrigeration equipment).
➢ Continually update city purchasing policies for energy efficient devices and showcase
results on city building performance.
➢ Partner with state and local agencies to communicate government assistance programs to
winterize houses and apartments for eligible homeowners and renters.
➢ Coordinate with state and local organizations (e.g., Focus on Energy and Wisconsin
Public Service)to promote incentives and assistance for energy conservation projects.
➢ Encourage businesses to measure energy performance (e.g. ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager) and use green building rating systems such as Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) (see Land Use and Development section). Advertise
community successes and achievements on the City's and/or Sustainability Advisory
Board's website.
➢ Promote methods and best practices individuals can implement concerning responsible
energy usage.
Outdoor Lighting.
➢ Continue to upgrade outdoor lighting to high efficiency lamps (e.g., street lighting, parks,
athletic fields, and Leach Amphitheatre).
-)O--Develop efficiency standards for an outdoor lighting ordinance for all new construction
and existing building lighting retrofits.
Renewable Energy.
➢ Continually monitor technology trends to ensure building codes allow for the
development of solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy sources, with guidelines to
protect public safety and maintain community standards for aesthetics.
�?Identify opportunities for zoning modifications to coordinate and encourage siting for
larger facilities, such as factory-scale digesters or"farms" of small wind turbines or solar
panels.
➢ Encourage businesses and homeowners to work with Wisconsin Public Service, which
offers multiple pricing programs designed to help encourage energy efficiency and
promote the use of renewable energy.
�?Encourage the use of alternative flex-fuel vehicles in fleets (e.g., city,police, schools,
buses and taxis).
➢ Raise awareness regarding burning wood for heat, especially that fireplaces and fire pits
provide negligible heat with far larger pollution impacts and safety risks than safe and
efficient stoves and furnaces meeting Environmental Protection Agency certification
standards.
➢ Encourage consideration of greenhouse gas released when making fleet
purchases/choosing fleet vehicles.
Public and Business Awareness.
�?Partner for educational purposes with national and statewide groups (e.g. Focus on
Energy, RENEW Wisconsin, ENERGY STAR, Energy Center of Wisconsin, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Public Service, Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development) and organizations in the
community that can provide leadership and resources (e.g. Winnebago County,
ADVOCAP, Chamber of Commerce, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Valley
Technical College, Oshkosh Area School District, East Central Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission, Oshkosh Housing Authority).
�?Use the Sustainability Advisory Board's website to provide materials that inform
residents and businesses about energy conservation and renewable sources, payback
times, site assessment, installation, regulations, and listings of energy tax credits or other
forms of assistance available from the federal, state, and local governments,power
companies and non-profits.
A Coordinate sales promotions for energy-related products.
�?Use fairs and home shows to promote public understanding of current energy use and
affordable first steps, such as light bulb changes and winterizing.
➢ Promote seasonal load control programs for residences and businesses that allow the
utility to control large appliances and air conditioning systems.
➢ Develop demonstrations and tours of projects that help residents and businesses learn
about successful strategies.
➢ Encourage, coordinate, and collaborate with the business community about energy
savings via guaranteed performance contracts, life-cycle payback options, and other
programs which lead to greater efficient use of energy.
.........Share seasonal facilities, such as schools,parks, and tourist facilities, to maximize the
time they can be in a low- or no-energy mode.
➢ Complete the Green Infrastructure Audit for City ordinances.