Jul 12 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Larry Avila The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis.



Ask Jim Funk if there's a future in green energy, he'll likely say "yes."

With millions of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico and the country in need of new industries to create jobs, advocates of renewable and alternative energy sources think they have momentum on their side. Proponents are pointing to the disaster and high unemployment rates to say now is the time for the government to pass legislation to further development of clean energy.

Funk, who in 2002 formed Energize LLC, a Winneconne-based company that installs solar power systems, was among several participants during a telephone press conference Friday urging Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold to act on clean energy and climate legislation.

"I feel the public really wants clean energy," Funk said. "We have economic challenges today and other countries are facing similar economic and environmental issues -- it's critical something happens now because we are in competition for (green) jobs."

 Since 1985, Funk, an electrical engineer, has focused his personal efforts on enhancing methods to generate electricity by harnessing the power of the sun.

One of his signature projects is a covered-parking canopy, which his company installed in February for Schmidt Brothers Custom Homes, 4311 Lightning Drive, Appleton. The parking structure features a solar collection system on its roof, which generates about three-fourths of the electricity used by the Schmidt Brothers' building.

Funk knows there is opportunity in clean energy.

"We're now seeing seven-figure sales," he said. "There definitely is interest in green energy. At a time when everyone was experiencing economic challenges last year, we tripled our business."

Kohl and Feingold both acknowledged a greater need to further develop alternative energy sources.

In February, Feingold and Sen. John Ensign, a Nevada Republican, partnered on renewable energy legislation, which if approved, would encourage development of new alternative energy technology.

Feingold, in a statement, said "climate change and energy legislation has the potential to reduce pollution, spur American innovation and jobs and help us transition to clean energy and energy efficiency technologies."

Feingold said he still is taking input to refine any legislation that addresses the issue.

Kohl agrees something should be done "that puts our state and country back in control of its energy future."

However, Kohl believes other matters are taking precedence.

"Given all the issues before us, it's unclear that Congress will have time to undertake a comprehensive climate change bill this year," Kohl said in a statement. "Right now, a number of senators, including (John) Kerry and (Joe) Lieberman are working together on an energy proposal. The details are still being developed."

Kohl said any legislation also should address reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil as well as retooling its manufacturing base to create jobs and rebuild the economy.

Dan Kohler, director of Madison-based Wisconsin Environment, an advocate for green energy development, said since the House of Representatives passed a version of clean energy legislation, the Senate should follow.

"Wisconsin sends about $16 billion a year out of state to meet its energy needs," he said. "We have the resources now to adopt alternatives and be energy independent."

Kohler said companies like Funk's Energize LLC exemplify potential success.

"It's just the tip of the iceberg," he said. "The challenge is how do we make the transition now?"

The state's green energy lobbyists turned their efforts to federal lawmakers, after the defeat of the Clean Energy Jobs Act in the state Legislature.

Gov. Jim Doyle and other green energy advocates were unsuccessful in convincing the Assembly in April to pass the legislation.

Doyle, an advocate of the bill, believed it could have brought as many as 15,000 new jobs to Wisconsin by 2025. The bill's language was based on recommendations from Doyle's Global Warming Task Force.

At the time the state thought job growth would come through requirements proposed in the act. As state and federal rules increase for businesses to purchase energy generated by alternative sources -- solar and wind, for example -- it naturally would create demand for specialized machinery, which right now isn't produced in large volumes.

However, opponents, led by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, argued the act as proposed would have cost the state as many as 43,000 jobs and would lead to higher energy taxes.

 

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