September 29 - The Latest on Electric Vehicles

Did you know that electric vehicle (EV) owners save about 50% on maintenance and repairs over the life of their vehicles compared to similar costs paid by owners of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles? That's the conclusion of a new report issued by Consumer Reports, a scientific, non-partisan consumer interest resarch group. "Consumer Reports analyzed its 2019 and 2020 reliability survey data for thousands of electric and gas-powered vehicles, and found that drivers of electric vehicles are saving an average of 50% on maintenance and repair over the life of a vehicle compared to owners of gas-powered vehicles."

 

The organization has also found that, "Nationwide EVs are over 60% cleaner than the average gasoline powered vehicle."

 

An August study from Northwestern University concluded that, "... if EVs replaced 25% of combustion-engine cars currently on the road, the United States would save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. In more aggressive scenarios — replacing 75% of cars with EVs and increasing renewable energy generation — savings could reach as much as $70 billion annually.

On Tuesday, September 29 at 7 p.m., the Coulee Region Sierra Club will host an online program on The Latest on Electric Vehicles with guest Jeffrey Springer, Manager of Innovation and Efficient Electrification at Dairyland Power Cooperative. RSVP for access information at tiny.cc/CRSCEV929

Discussion will include information about current and coming EVs, the truth about charging, how we can encourage EV adoption in our communities and more. EV owners will join Mr. Springer, an EV owner, to answer your questions.

In 2019, the Sierra Club released a report of its nationwide study on the EV buying experience. The report found that many dealerships are not selling EVs, many sales staff are inadequately trained and educated about EVs, and some consumers found sales personnel to be antagonistic toward EVs.

"Shockingly, we found that 74% of auto dealerships nationwide do not have a single EV on their lot for sale and that consumers were still not being given important information about charging, battery range, and financial incentives.In some instances, volunteers indicated that they could not go for a test drive because the vehicle was insufficiently charged or that they were encouraged to purchase a non-electric vehicle instead."

Many buyers think the EVs are too expensive, but the cost of used EVs in many cases is
similar to the cost of equivalent used ICE vehicles. It is very possible to purchase a used EV or a plug-in hybrid EV for under $10,000. Factoring in the total cost of buying and owning a car, EVs are already cheaper than fossil-fueled vehicles. Many EV experts expect purchase prices of EVs to cost less than ICE vehicles within the coming decade.

To be sure, there are issues with current EVs including lithium required in batteries, pollution caused by tire wear, and congestions issues not addressed by switching an ICE vehicle with an EV. But, if we are going to travel, finding the cleanest, least carbon-emitting way should be a top priority. Battery research is continuing and efficiencies improving. 

Join the conversation! Everyone is welcome.

Wisconsin Solar Tour

 Tour homes and businesses in Wisconsin that have gone solar! Visit this MREA page for details.

We are excited to help amplify the power of solar energy, while making sure that our community of solar owners and supporters stay safe. From September 28th to October 4th, hundreds of people across the nation will show off their solar homes and businesses. During this week, solar owners and supporters will have a chance to connect, ask and answer questions, and participate in a nationwide virtual solar experience.

FREE online program - The Latest on Electric Vehicles - September 29

Join us for a discussion and Q&A about Electric Vehicles and their importance to fighting the climate crisis. Register for access info: tiny.cc/CRSCEV929.

Online learning - The Electric Sector

The  Sierra Club's Wisconsin Beyond Coal Campaign is hosting an online workshop series on the Electric Sector!  You can also apply to be part of the course even if you cannot attend live but will watch the recordings at another time during the week.

This "deep dive" will cover everything from Utilities 101 to power plant financing and regulation. The workshop, divided into four sessions, will take place Tuesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30pm starting on September 22.

Upon completion of all four sessions attendees will receive a certificate of completion. A bonus pop-up session on Just Transitions will be offered Sunday, October 18 from 3:00 - 5:00pm.

Applications due 9/16 at 5:00pm. We'll notify you if you've been accepted by 9/18.

Unable to attend all four sessions in real time? Let us know in your application and we may be able to accommodate your schedule by providing recordings.

Details
      Dates: 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13
      Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
      (Pop up: 10/18, 3:00 - 5:00pm)

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK6laadviPQS4HIIVDfE0t7LsPVjhQKcF8h5n1-xccDqAj6Q/viewform 

Sustainability Chats at WTC

 

Time & Location

Sep 30, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Zoom Presentation & Tour

About the Event

GoMacro, a women owned company, focuses on using plant-based ingredients that are from organic, non-GMO certified growers who use sustainable farming practices. Beyond their dedication to utilizing local and healthy ingredients, their 100% renewable energy run and 100% carbon neutral company is working towards becoming zero-waste and landfill free. 

Recently, GoMacro worked to bring renewable wind energy to their facility and to the Village of Viola, Wisconsin where they are located. Viola businesses and homes are now 100% powered by renewable energy without impact on their energy bill due to this partnership with GoMacro.

You can read more in advance of their sustainability promises and projects on their website.

Sustainability Chats are free monthly virtual events that include green tours and conversations focused on celebrating and highlighting the sustainable efforts happening throughout the Driftless region. Watch past Sustainability Chats by visiting our website and clicking on the Spotlight Blog.

REGISTER ONLINE!

SOLAR FOR GOOD Grant opportunity

The Fall 2020 Solar for Good grant cycle is now open. Applications are due by Thursday, October 1st, 2020. Winners will be announced on or before Thursday, October 15th.

Solar for Good will once again be offering Philadelphia solar modules to winning nonprofits. Nonprofits will be granted up to 75 modules (~$12,500 value) for small (< 75kW) installations and up to 150 modules (~$25,000 value) for large (>75kW) installations.

The Fall 2020 Solar for Good cycle will also be offering CASH GRANTS. These grants will cover 20% of the cost of a solar project, with a max award of $10,000 for small installations (75kW) installations. RENEW Wisconsin has a pool of approximately $100,000 to offer for all grants. We expect these cash grants to be highly competitive.

Nonprofits can only apply for panels OR funding; there is no double-dipping. Proceeds from the panels will go back to the Couillard Solar Foundation to help fund programs like Solar for Good and Solar on Schools.

September newsletter

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 at 7 p.m.
The Latest on Electric Vehicles
with Jeffrey W. Springer, Manager, Innovation and Efficient Electrification, Dairyland Power Cooperative
ONLINE/DIAL-IN (Zoom)

Join us ONLINE on Tuesday, September 29 at 7 p.m. as we welcome Jeff Springer, Manager of Innovation and Efficient Electrification at Dairyland Power Co-op, who will talk to us about the latest on Electric Vehicles (EVs). We'll talk about why we should consider switching to EVs, how we can encourage our local governments to prepare for an EV future, bust some myths, and more.

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for transportation. EVs charged by renewable energy produce no global warming emissions. Even if they’re charged by electricity produced from burning coal, EVs produce fewer emissions than comparable gasoline or diesel cars, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. A new Northwestern University study concludes that, “widespread EV adoption (25–75% adoption) could save the U.S. $17–70 billion every year,” by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. Switching to an EV is something many people can do right now that will have a major impact on their pocketbooks and our climate. Many businesses are pledging to transition to all EV fleets.

This will be a ZOOM event so you will be able to attend online OR by phone. Please RSVP at tiny.cc/CRSCEV929 for access information.

WITH HEAVY HEARTS   We’re writing to you on August 26 with heavy hearts about the senseless act of violence that occurred in our state recently. As you may be aware, Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot in the back seven times by Kenosha Police Department officers August 23. Mr. Blake’s children witnessed the police brutality against their  father. This is yet another tragic example of excessive force being used to injure, harm,  and kill Black men and women across the United States. The power dynamics we are witnessing are clear. [Read all at https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2020/08/message-our-supporters-sent-heavy-hearts ]

Aaron Huber was shot and killed by a 17 year old militia member in Kenosha. Aaron tried to use his skateboard to disable the gunman but was shot in the chest. A GoFundMe for Aaron’s partner and stepdaughter has been arranged. Read more at https://gf.me/u/yuckvi

START VOTING NOW      The coming election is probably the most important in our lifetimes when it comes to our environment and climate. Please vote in this election. Please make a plan now to vote. Having a plan to vote EARLY will help ensure your voice is heard.

Voting absentee is easy. In most cases, request an absentee ballot at  myvote.wi.gov. Or contact your municipality/city clerk for a ballot application.  Absentee ballots will be mailed in late September. When your ballot comes, take care of it RIGHT AWAY.

Read the instructions to ensure you use the correct pen and ink color and complete it correctly. If you have questions, contact your clerk. Get a witness to watch you mark, seal, sign, and date your ballot (the witness is not required to see who you are voting for!) Your witness should then sign her or his name on the witness line and put her or his full address on the witness address line. These steps are very important and skipping them will invalidate your ballot.

MAIL YOUR BALLOT RIGHT AWAY. The ballot already has a stamp. OR, in most communities, you can DROP YOUR BALLOT OFF WITH YOUR MUNICIPAL CLERK. Some communities also have official ballot drop boxes.

TRACK YOUR BALLOT at myvote.wi.gov. This will assure you that the ballot has been received by your clerk. If there are problems, contact your clerk.

Voting absentee will let you take care of this important civic duty easily and securely and let you help others vote, too.

“With so much at stake, we need to fight like hell to get [Joe Biden] elected, along with down-ballot candidates who can push his agenda forward in Congress and statehouses. And then we need to keep pushing him to make his platform promises a reality and encourage him to evolve still further.” - Michael Brune, Sierra Club Director

WISCONSIN SIERRA CLUB ENDORSEMENTS     The Wisconsin Chapter Sierra Club has announced endorsements for Congress and the State Legislature in the November 3, 2020 election. Previously, the Club endorsed Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president.

“These candidates are committed to protecting Wisconsin families’ health, air and water, and to building a clean energy economy that works for Wisconsin,” said Elizabeth Ward, Wisconsin Chapter Director.

In addition to U.S. Representative Ron Kind, candidates for State Senate, Brad Pfaff (32) and Paul Piotrowski (24) earned endorsements as did State Assembly candidates Shawn Murphy (49), Kriss Marion (51), Emily Berge (68), John Baldus (70), Amanda White Eagle (92), Steve Doyle* (94), and Jill Billings* (95).

The Sierra Club is launching the largest voter  mobilization in our history to turn out fellow members, supporters, and the public to vote and to work for endorsed candidates. Read the whole endorsement list at tiny.cc/WISC20Endorsements

*Scored a perfect 100% pro-environment voting record and has been named a 2020 Environmental Champion for demonstrated commitment to preserving Wisconsin’s environment.



WORKSHOPS - BUILDING AN ANTI-RACIST ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT     In response to the national discussion on racism in America, Great Waters Group is hosting this three-part Zoom series. The workshop will begin Thursday, September 24th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and continue for three weeks at the same time on October 1st and October 8th. Registrants are asked to commit to all three sessions, if possible. This is an intensive three-week series of 2-hour Anti-Racism workshops that grew, in part, out of last October’s “On The Table” discussion on Environmental Justice and Equity.  Last fall, in the discussion session, there was clear agreement that the environmental movement cannot continue to be splintered by the same racial divisions that separate Milwaukee into hyper-segregated communities.These workshops are intended to address the problems and give us tools to break patterns and begin systemic change. tiny.cc/AntiRacismWorkshops

RENEWABLES ON PUBLIC RADIO     Listen to local advocates talk about exciting new developments in solarizing the La Crosse area! Former CRSC president Marilyn Pedretti, La Crosse Sustainability Planner Lewis Kuhlman, recent Central High School graduate Lily Herling, and Casey Meehan, Director of Sustainability and Resilience were on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Newsmakers program on August 28 discussing renewable energy, going solar, saving energy, and how our current actions can affect the future. Listen online: www.wpr.org/shows/newsmakers-august-28-2020

COUNTY PASSES 100% RESOLUTION!     On August 28, La Crosse County joined more than 160 communities around the country in passing a resolution pledging to reduce carbon emissions to zero and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Thanks to all those who signed our petition and contacted their County Board representatives!

NOW, we want to make sure that next steps are planned to reach those goals! If you live in La Crosse County, please email the board and thank them for passing the resolution AND ask them to let you know what the timeline for accomplishing these goals is and how you can support these efforts! Thank you to La Crosse CRSC members and to our partners, Wisconsin Conservation Voters and Citizen Action Driftless Rural-Urban Co-op.

If your community or county would like to start a READY FOR 100 campaign, there are resources available at www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/take-action   

GROW SOLAR LA CROSSE CONTINUES     Grow Solar La Crosse continues to offer informational “Solar Power Hour” sessions for those who live or own a business in La Crosse county wishing to get more information about “going solar.” The educational group buy program provides information and free site assessments and consultation. Those who sign up will get discounted rates on panels and installation and those discounts will increase if more people sign up. The sign up deadline has been extended! For more information, please visit GrowSolarLaCrosse.org.

VERNON ELECTRIC TO OFFER LOW-INTEREST ENERGY SAVINGS LOANS     Vernon Electric Cooperative (VEC) is joining the USDA Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) which allows electricity providers to offer low-interest long-term loans for customers to weatherize and upgrade energy efficiency on homes and farms and  install renewable and efficient systems. Loan payments are added to participants’ energy bills and in many cases, savings from the improvements are greater than loan payments. VEC says it will focus on weatherization and energy efficiency, geothermal, heat pumps, and, when available, battery storage. In addition, VEC has installed a level 3 EV charging station at its Westby headquarters and plans to offer incentives for EV charging stations at member homes and businesses.

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER NIGHT     If you've been thinking about getting more involved, here’s your chance! Join us ON ZOOM on Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to learn about and work on our efforts to get our utilities to retire Wisconsin's coal plants and ensure the Evers Administration does not allow for any new fossil fuel infrastructure. You can also learn and get involved in our educational efforts working to ensure everyone has safe drinking water and access to Wisconsin's public lands. If you just have 2 hours to give to make a difference and can't do more than that, then this is a great place for you as well! You MUST RSVP at the link in order to get access instructions. tiny.cc/SCVolNite0920

CRSC HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP SEPTEMBER 18-20     COVID-19 restrictions have kept us from cleaning up trash on our adopted River Valley Drive this year. National Clean Up the World days are September 18-20, so we’d like to do coordinated individual family group clean-up outings during that time. If you can help by cleaning up a portion of River Valley Drive between Palace Street and St. James Street any time between September 18 and September 20, please contact Pat Wilson to be assigned a section of the road. You can use your own trash bags or arrange to get bags and safety vests from Pat. You can take the trash bags home for disposal or leave them along the road where we’ll arrange for the city to pick them up. For a map of the area, visit tiny.cc/RvrVlyDr-LaX and to sign up for a section, contact Pat at 608-788-8831 or email him at pbwilson@centurytel.net. 

Take a picture of your most interesting find, most beautiful clean-up companion, or most stunning clean-up view and email it to crsierraclub@gmail.com. We’ll include some of your pics in our October newsletter AND we’ll choose one participant at random to receive a highway clean-up prize!

VIRTUAL BIKE FEST SEPTEMBER 4 - OCTOBER 4     This fall, the all-virtual La Crosse Area Bike Fest will provide everything you need to enjoy free, self-supported, self-paced bike rides through the Driftless area on your schedule and at your preferred pace. With online maps, free routes, cue sheets, and turn-by-turn directions through your smartphone or GPS device for registered participants, you can follow along individually or with a safely-distanced group, anytime in the month of September.

Official routes include family-friendly rides around La Crosse, mountain bike and gravel trails, and longer road routes that wind through Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin. Participants can post photos from their rides for the chance to win Bike Fest swag.

Register for the rides, routes, and giveaways at www.bicycle-lacrosse.com/bike-fest/ 

SEPTEMBER 1: CAFO DIALOGUE     On September 1 at 6 p.m., the Crawford County  CAFO Study Committee will host an online community dialogue to bring together diverse community members, to hear about community members’ experiences and values, and to create a learning environment to illuminate the complexities of farming, water quality, health, and wellbeing in Crawford County. The event will be facilitated by UW-Extension Crawford County Community Development Educator, Jessica Jane Spayde.

Register at tiny.cc/CrawfordCAFO9120 for access information. All members of the Crawford County community are welcome. People from outside Crawford County are welcome to attend and listen, but the primary goal is to hear from community members

For more information, call the Crawford County Extension Office with any questions: 608-326-0223 or email Spayde@wisc.edu.

MY CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE IN THE INDIANA DUNES by Veronica Bauer        Before this past summer, I did not grasp what conservation truly meant. From learning about and discussing it in my classes, I formulated the notion that conservation (i.e. the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment and of wildlife) is nothing more than its definition. However, my experience in the Indiana Dunes wetlands told me otherwise.
  
From June 10 to August 8, WisCorps provided a great opportunity for me to be on a wetland restoration conservation crew in the Indiana Dunes State and National Park. Four other crew members and I worked alongside the National Park Service, assisting them with restoration. In the first couple days of our service term, we got a crash course on multiple valuable skills such as native and invasive wetland plant identification, herbicide mixing and application procedures, planting, and seed collection methods.

The main focus of our work was invasive species control which involved using backpack sprayers to directly apply herbicide to wetland invasive species. Our primary target was cattail, but we also sprayed mullein, purple loosestrife, and epilobium. We mostly worked at a Beverly Shores site and at Cowles Bog. In addition, we collected native seeds and planted native wetland species. Our uniform--long sleeve shirts, long pants, goggles, hats, waders, and chemical resistant gloves--worked very well to protect us from herbi-cide, rice cutgrass, and ticks.

I learned a few impor-tant lessons during my conservation journey. The first is wetland native and invasive plant species identification. We learned about various sedge species, swamp milk-weed, sweet flag, irises, asters, blue cardinal flowers, and native loosestrife, among others.

Second, I learned about patience. I feel like we live in a world where immediate gratification is desired and pursued. However, many solutions to today’s world problems are not immediate, they take time to heal. One of the best moments was when I started seeing the results of our hard work. After the exhaustion of the first couple of weeks, seeing the propagated native plants take root and the cattail begin to yellow revived me and reminded me of why I was there in the first place.

My third lesson was that something small can go a long way. I know we have not gotten rid of all of the cattail in Cowles Bog, but I hope to someday return to see a cattail-free bog and be confident that I had a part to play in the bog’s restoration.

The last lesson regards mental strength and solidarity. The work is definitely not glamorous and can be physically and emotionally draining. By being mindful of my own body and understanding my limits, I can then be more receptive and empathetic towards others’ health and well-being.

After my time on the conservation crew, my new perspective on conservation has a bit more to it. Conservation not only benefits the natural environment and wildlife; it also extends to surrounding communities.

For example, invasive species reduce the biodiversity and resilience of an area. If nothing had been done to stop the quick spread of cattail in Cowles Bog, it would dominate the area and leave little or no space for other plant, insect, or animal species. Without biodiversity, local and eventually, global,  ecosystems could collapse.  Everything comes full circle, so in order to help ourselves we should also help our planet, and one way to do that is through conservation and restoration.
  
WisCorps in La Crosse, Wisconsin is an amazing organization all about conservation and education. Their team is full of very passionate people who would love to help anyone wanting to become more involved in their community. To learn more, visit  wiscorps.org.

Spread the word!