— The best wind energy is west of Wisconsin, and that’s part of the reason a better power transmission system is key to ramping up wind production, the head of Northern States Power Co. says. “There is a saying in the wind industry that if you like wind, then you gotta love transmission,” says Michael Swenson, NSP present and CEO of the Eau Claire-based utility – a subsidiary of Xcel Energy. Swenson said most of the wind energy in the NSP system is produced from giant windmills in southwestern Minnesota and the Dakotas, although Wisconsin could be a future option. “We’ve investigated some possibilities,” he says. “It’s significantly lower-value wind in Wisconsin, though some have been put up. “We continue to look at opportunities here, and if we see one that looks economically viable, we’d be interested,” he says. “Right now, we’re waiting for the results from some studies.” See more soon at http://www.wisbusiness.com — Plymouth Tube Co. in East Troy filed notice with the state of layoffs affecting 14 employees set to begin on or about August 15. This is the third layoff notice from Plymouth Tube this year. — Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Wisconsin stocks as measured by the WisBusiness.com Stock Tracker start the week within just a few points of where they started a week ago. The Dow opened today at 8,277, a few points higher than its opening of 8,268 a week ago. And the WisBusiness portfolio of 70 companies with substantial operations in Wisconsin opened at 1,405 — up five points from its starting point of 1,400 last week. See the WisBusiness Stock Tracker for details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=140042 No companies with Wisconsin ties have earnings relases slated for this holiday-shortened week. ************************* WISBUSINESS.COM / WISPOLITICS.COM FORUM JUNE 10 Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin’s Transportation Future WEDNESDAY, June 10, 7:15 AM at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Hear major decision-makers debate the future of passenger rail, highway expansion, the port of Milwaukee and Mitchell Field in light of stressed state and local budgets and commuters’ continuing search for the best way to get to work. Confirmed panelists include Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine and a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee; and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale and a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee. Initial sponsors for the event include UW-Milwaukee and HNTB. Organizers include MMAC, Discovery World, WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com, and UW-Milwaukee. The event is open to the public, and the price is $30 per person. But WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com subscribers, the UW-Milwaukee community, and members of MMAC and Discovery World will be able to attend for $20 per person. The price includes the breakfast buffet but not parking. Call Debra Jordan (414) 287-4127 or e-mail djordan@mmac.org to register. Online registration is also available: http://mmac.org/display/router.asp?docid=488&event=1227&startDate=06/10/09 Additional sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or webmaster@wisbusiness.com ************************* TOP STORIES Global milk glut squeezes dairy farmers, consumers: A collapse in milk prices has wiped away the profits of dairy farmers, driving many out of business while forcing others to slaughter their herds or dump milk on the ground in protest. But nine months after prices began tumbling on the farm, consumers aren’t seeing the full benefits of the crash at the checkout counter. University of Wisconsin System staff may get seat at bargaining table: Unlike most state employees, faculty and academic staff working within the University of Wisconsin System don’t have the right to form unions with collective bargaining powers. Green Bay East-side Kmart to close doors in mid-August: The company filed a notice Thursday with the state Department of Workforce Development that it will close the store Aug. 16, with layoffs to begin on or around July 30. The store has 62 employees.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top) – Internet marketer Sikes to win Hendricks memorial award
BIOTECH (back to top)
ECONOMY (back to top)
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Zien’s million-mile Harley belongs in Wisconsin, not in Sturgis, some say
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Design firm pushes limits with its innovative creations
INVESTING (back to top)
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Crop prices, credit impinge on farm equipment sales
TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – Oshkosh365 will keep EAA going all year long – Pedicab services to be offered in Door County this summer – Midwest lost record $477 million in 2008
RETAIL (back to top) – American Girl to add new character
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top) – Alliant decision on plants on hold – Nuclear plant foes prepare for fight
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Hortonville’s Wolf River Community Bank expands – FDIC approves one-time fee for banks
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top) PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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