|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 19, 2023
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov
DNR's Green Tier Initiative Builds
Local Partnerships, Healthier Environments
 The DNR's Mandaline Bergstrom congratulates Dean Gazza, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management for the City of Appleton with a plaque commemorating their 13 years as a Legacy Community. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the environmental leadership of Green Tier participants and Legacy Communities with the second of four regional Green Tier Connections events geared at highlighting partners and their participation in the program.
On Sept. 12, representatives from Green Tier businesses, local governments and partners joined DNR staff to celebrate the achievements of those in the program. It was an opportunity to take steps in transforming traditional regulatory relationships into collaborative partnerships that achieve better environmental results than the individual participants could alone.
Green Tier is a voluntary program for businesses, local governments and organizations who are already on the path to sustainability and want support achieving even more. Participants get help assessing their environmental performance, assistance tracking their progress, recognition for their efforts, and the opportunity to learn from other organizations what works and what doesn’t.
This northeast Wisconsin regional gathering spotlighted businesses and local governments that are reaping the benefits of renewable energy installations like solar panels, biodigesters and geothermal heating and cooling.
Holsum Dairy, a Green Tier participant since 2009, has been generating natural gas from their dairy waste with on-site biodigesters for 20 years. Biodigesters capture the energy and fibrous material from cow manure, drastically reducing the amount of waste the farm needs to manage while creating a source of renewable energy and an additional revenue stream for the farm.
“We have always felt that sustainability pays,” said Dr. Brent Cousin, General Manager for Holsum Dairy.
The city of Appleton has been a Legacy Community since the program began in 2010. The city’s commitment to looking at all city projects through a sustainability lens helped them choose geothermal heating and cooling systems for the library and transit building renovation projects.
Geothermal systems are very reliable and less vulnerable to changing weather conditions, do not produce air pollution, are much quieter, and are much more efficient than using fossil fuels for heating and cooling – meaning a reduced monthly energy bill and a healthier community.
Their renewable energy installations offer more than just a good return on their investment.
“Our installations are a great proof of concept for businesses, residents and other communities. They can see that it really works,” said Steve Schrage, Project and Resiliency Manager for the city of Appleton.
The event also served as an opportunity to highlight the area participants celebrating milestone anniversaries with the program.
Area participants celebrating 15+ year anniversaries in the program:
Area participants celebrating 10+ year anniversaries in the program:
- City of Appleton
- Menasha Packaging
- ITAD Logic
- A. Lawton Company
Area participants celebrating 5+ year anniversaries in the program:
- Wiretech Fabricators, Inc.
- KS Kolbenschmidt, Inc.
- Waupaca Foundry
- Kimberly-Clark Neenah Cold Spring Facility
- City of Oshkosh
- Village of Egg Harbor
- Sadoff Iron & Metal Company
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation Kimtech Facility
Learn more about Green Tier on the DNR's website. Those interested in learning more about the Green Tier program and what it takes to become a member can email DNRGreenTier@wisconsin.gov.
|
