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The complete 2007 Wisconsin Energy Statistics report from the
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Saturday, December 29, 2007
2007 Wisconsin Energy Statistics
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5 comments:
Hey everyone,
According to the report that Andrew put up here, it looks like we have between 609,000 and 2,325,000 dry tons per year in Wisconsin. I know a couple people were looking for it a while back.
Thanks a lot for this Andrew. I read this the other night. The potential section on page 15 of 55 is interesting.
Go Badgers tomorrow.
Eric
While reading parts of this again today, I could not help but think what parcelization means for our region and how that will impact our qwest to be a global bio-energy player. I would guess, and the document discusses this as well, that parcelization makes it more difficult at the larger "energy plantation" level. Therefore, what should we be doing in the early stages, or currently, to address the situation and desire to increase the use of bio-energy? I tend to wonder about those smaller parcels that are owned by "absentee, wealthier, and less engaged" owners. What impact can these parcels have in our quest? Afterall, these types of parcels are increasing and will be even more abundant.
Then, I thought of the following idea. How about working with the owners of some of these smaller parcels and treating them like the smaller farmers/suppliers at the farmers markets in our region? This would perhaps increase the supply AND demand for wood for personal heating in homes. When one thinks about it, are they not really the same as the farmers at the market? They are harvesting, right? Personally, I can see this creating a specific economy in the region. Why not invite people who are selling wood for personal heating to the farmers markets during the year. Heck, we have a winter farmers market every month in Eau Claire.
Good morning everyone,
I live up in Alvin, WI and I would like to make a couple comments on what ERic wrote earlier.
First, I really like the idea. However, I wonder about the logistics of it when people are going to buy wood, pellets, corn, or whatnot. I would guess one would buy a heck of a lot of pellets, wood, or something else. You are not going to buy just a couple bags. The person who is selling the goods would have to come with a ton of their product. I would suggest that if this was to happen that the people that would be selling their products could have tables set up at the markets with examples of what they are selling. Then, they could talk with people and let them know what their product is like and see if anyone is interested.
Second, I think this is really important in the real rural areas of the state. This could help with the economy a little. I am all for the larger looks at things, but we have to remember the real small towns in our state and how we can help them.
I have been reading this site for a few weeks now. Thanks a lot for your hard work.
George
Thanks for the comment George. You are 100% correct. I was thinking that it would be great for the "bio-energy" producers to come to the markets with their products to sell on the spot, not even thinking that most times the pure amount of it would be literally a ton. Your idea of them being at the market at a table or something with samples of their products and having people come and talk to them is great.
After reading your entry, I could not help but think of my family going to the Eau Claire farmers market last spring and seeing the couple from Sylvan Hills Farm and their signup sheet for their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) (we signed up). Perhaps it could work the same way. Also, perhaps we could start something in the region that resembles CSAs, but instead have it be Community Supported Biofuels (CSB). I am not even sure if this is a term, but if not, I guess it is now. I think the idea of providing a space at a farmers market for someone trying to sell biofuel would really ignite the movement and knowledge that it is an option in a place like Eau Claire and other places around the state. The market gets 1000s of people every Saturday.
Also, one more comment. I 100% agree with the statement about helping the local economies in small rural areas like Alvin. Heck, I did not even know where Alvin was located. (Thanks for helping me with my Wisconsin geography.) The great thing about this idea is that the money stays in the community, just like when you buy local produce/meat/etc. at the farmers market.
This is an interesting discussion. I was at a woody biomass conference in Rice Lake last April where they were talking about creation of a woody biomass "exchange" that would create a statewide market for buying/selling. It seems like what you guys are talking about here is something similar - but on a smaller scale. Eric, the Community-Based Energy is a term I've seen but not Community Supported Biofuels. I like the community supported aspect since community support is going to become more and more critical as concerns (whether justified or not) grow over bioenergy and biofuels development in particular. Here is a link to an interesting article on Brazil's recent efforts to stimulate rural economic development through enhanced biodiesel production that encourages support of smaller farmers. They call it a social fuel program. http://biopact.com/2008/01/brazils-biodiesel-mandate-comes-into.html
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