New Stormwater Rule To Affect Construction

A new state anti-pollution rule could affect construction sites.
The rule aims at cutting pollution that is picked up by rain and melting snow, carried into storm sewers and emptied into waterways with no treatment.

Under the rule, construction sites disturbing more than 1 acre must have state permits and manage runoff.

The state rule is consistent with federal rules that took effect March 10, 2003.

It extends to smaller municipalities and to more than 2,000 smaller construction sites annually the same kinds of requirements Wisconsin's bigger cities and construction sites have faced for a decade.

For information, visit dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/on/2004/on040720.htm#art1 on the Internet or call Eric Rortvedt at 608-264-6273 or Mary Anne Lowndes at 608-261-6420, both of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Roundy's Storage Facility Started

Construction has begun on a 1,092,074-sq.-ft. cold storage facility for Roundy's at Pabst Farms.

Rosemont, Ill.-based Opus North Corp. is the contractor. Pabst Farms is serving as developer of the project in its 1,500-acre, master-planned community in the towns of Oconomowoc and Summit.

The one-story center will contain dry storage, refrigerated storage, frozen storage and office and service area. In addition, a maintenance/fueling/washing building and a guardhouse will also be located on the site. Completion is scheduled for April 2005.

Roundy's Milwaukee distribution division, currently located in Wauwatosa, is scheduled to relocate to this new facility.

Motor Donation Revs Engineers' Education

Ten motor drives were recently donated to the Milwaukee School of Engineering's Industrial Control Laboratory.

The gift comes from New Berlin-based ABB Inc., a manufacturer of electric motors and drives.

The laboratory has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishment this summer.

The adjustable speed motors are being installed in eight refurbished student test benches and will be used as part of the electrical/electronics communication curricula.

The drives are used in applications where mechanical equipment is powered by motors. They provide precise electrical motor control so that speeds can be ramped up or down and maintained at required speeds. The motor design uses only the energy required, an advantage over running the motors at constant speed and consuming excess of energy.