$860,000 in Grant Funding Available for 2010 Research Projects

This comes to us via Ingrid Kelley (608.238.8276, x136), Program Manager, Focus on Energy, Environmental and Economic Research and Development Program.

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Environmental and Economic Research and Development Program (EERD) is pleased to announce $860,000 in grant funding available for 2010 research projects that study the environmental and economic impacts of electricity and natural gas use in Wisconsin. EERD is looking for projects that study the environmental or economic impacts of:

• Renewable energy or energy efficiency initiatives
• Biomass energy production and use to offset electric generation and/or natural gas
• Climate change in Wisconsin due to electricity or natural gas use
• Impact of existing fossil fuel-fired electric power generation on PM 2.5 levels in Wisconsin

Any research organization with a project relevant to Wisconsin can apply for a grant. The EERD Research Forum will evaluate proposals and make funding recommendations. We expect to announce funded projects in January 2010.

Prospective applicants must submit an Intent to Propose form by October 8, 2009 and those invited to submit a full proposal must send it electronically by 12 p.m. on November 11, 2009. The 2010 Request for Proposals, Intent to Prose form and other information can be found on the Focus on Energy website.

Visit a Farmers Market This Summer

In the La Crosse area we are fortunate to have a number of farmers markets going strong throughout the week during the summer and early fall months. At each market you'll find a wide variety of in-season produce, flowers, plants and craft items for sale at very reasonable prices. Supporting local farmers and gardeners by buying their products brings you closer to the food you eat...and that's a good thing.

Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags or a backpack with you to take home everything that you purchase. You get bonus points for walking or riding your bike to and from the farmers market nearest you. Here's a list of farmers markets in southwest Wisconsin. Plan to check one out this week if you haven't already.

Odds For Climate Change Much Worse Than Expected

Recent research by MIT shows that the odds that severe climate change will occur before 2100 are worse than previously expected. Below are two quotes from the article:

"The most comprehensive modeling yet carried out on the likelihood of how much hotter the Earth's climate will get in this century shows that without rapid and massive action, the problem will be about twice as severe as previously estimated six years ago - and could be even worse than that."

"And the odds indicated by this modeling may actually understate the problem, because the model does not fully incorporate other positive feedbacks that can occur, for example, if increased temperatures caused a large-scale melting of permafrost in arctic regions and subsequent release of large quantities of methane, a very potent greenhouse gas. Including that feedback is just going to make it worse."

Read the full article to have a better understanding of the research and the seriousness of the predictions made from it. (source: MIT News, May 19, 2009)

UW-L Chancellor, Students Support High Speed Rail Through La Crosse

UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow spoke in support of high speed rail and more frequent passenger train service through La Crosse on May 28 at the Amtrak train station on the city’s north side. This was part of a press conference organized by Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), UW-L’s Environmental Council, and UW-L’s Green Transportation Council. Gow was flanked by students from UW-L and students from campuses with WISPIRG chapters around the state who chose La Crosse as their last stop on a 10-stop tour along the proposed high speed rail line in Wisconsin.

Touted benefits of a high speed line include reduced dependence upon foreign oil, reduced carbon emissions, less congested freeways, and making La Crosse a more viable place to live without a car. About fifty students and community members turned out for the event. To read more about the event, check out the online La Crosse Tribune article. To become involved with future efforts email Jeremy Gragert, student chair of the UW-L Green Transportation Council: gragert.jere@students.uwlax.edu. (submitted by Jeremy Gragert, photo provided by Jonathan Ringdahl)

Mountain Top Removal Mining Podcast

Here's a podcast of portions of the Mountain Top Removal Mining presentation given at UW-La Crosse on April 30th. It gives you a good overview of the devastation caused by this type of mining from people who live there.

Speakers included Sarah Vig from Appalachian Voices, Howard Branham, a resident of Mingo County West Virgina whose home was directly impacted by a mountain top removal mine and a representative from the Sierra Club's Madison, WI office. The podcast runs about 40 minutes.

Bike to Work Week, May 4-8

After a beautiful weekend for the La Crosse Fitness Festival, it's time to keep the momentum going. Plan to get your bikes out (if you haven't already) and bike to work this week. It's a great way to get some exercise, give your car a rest, save some money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Remember to read more about all of the Bike to Work events and opportunities going on this week and log in your bike mileage at CouleeBikes.org.

Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining Presentation

Thursday, April 30th at 6:00 PM in Cartwright room 259

There will be a guest speaker from Appalachian Voices speaking about the evils of mountain top removal coal mining.

This is being organized by the Sierra Club as part of their campaign to convert all state owned coal fired power plants, all of which use coal from mountain top removal. Governor Doyle has mandated that the UW Madison coal plant will be converted from coal to natural gas and biofuels. This presentation will allow UW-L sustainability supporters to network and begin to build a case for switching over UW-L's coal power plant as well.