MARION, Wisc., April 24, 2024 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2024, Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding 19 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for Wisconsin farmers, small business owners and agricultural producers.
“Today’s announcement showcases the variety of rural people and businesses using programs like the Rural Energy for America Program to save money on their energy costs that can then be reinvested in their operations,” said Lassa. “This not only strengthens their business but helps sustain and build the local economy.” [Audio: Mp3, 15 seconds, 369KB]
Rural Clean Energy Production in Wisconsin
Lassa announced more than $2.8 million in loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) during a visit to David Blashe’s cabinet manufacturing company on Tuesday in rural Shawano County.
Recipients in Wisconsin include:
- Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. in Wausau will use a $793,450 grant to install a solar electric array. The project is expected to save $70,770 per year. It will replace 1,263,753 kilowatt hours (kWh) (31 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 116 homes.
- Associated Milk Producers, Inc. in Jim Falls will use a $500,000 grant to install more efficient steam boilers. The project is expected to save $146,508 per year. It will save 9,052,798 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (Nine percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 835 homes.
- Clover Hill Dairy LLC in Campbellsport will use a $361,556 grant to replace existing diesel-powered feed mixing and moving equipment with more efficient electrically powered equipment. The project is expected to save $88,033 per year. It will save 1,097,060 kilowatt hours (20 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 101 homes.
- Daigle Brothers Inc. in Tomahawk will use a $341,850 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save $24,463 per year. It will replace 437,991 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 40 homes.
- Boilini Farms Inc., in Burlington will use a $143,516 grant to install a new, more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $9,122 per year. It will save 370,414 kilowatt-hours (68 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 34 homes.
- Robert Helbach Jr. in Wittenberg will use a $122,539 grant to install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save $4,615 per year. It will replace 37,783 kilowatt hours (kWh) (32 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
- Winter Cooperative in Bayfield will use a $84,162 grant to install more efficient refrigeration equipment and controls in their store. The project is expected to save $15,954 per year. It will save 161,152 kilowatt hours (39 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 14 homes.
- Turnip Rock Farm in Clear Lake will use a $74,198 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the farming operation $7,882 per year. It will replace 71,653 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
- Rice’s More Than Floors LLC in Marshfield will use a $73,015 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $7,358 per year. It will replace 80,571 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.
- Town and Country Stables in De Pere will use a $70,995 grant to install a roof mounted solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $6,898 per year. It will generate 62,711 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough to power five homes.
- Horstmann Homestead Farm and Events LLC in West Salem will use a $63,982 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $4,539 per year. It will replace 39,886 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
- Ackwood Lodge LLC in Hayward will use a $49,200 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $2,826 per year. It will replace 21,708 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
- Anna Bonilla in Fennimore will use a $44,083 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $4,627 per year in electrical costs. It will replace 41,999 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.
- Foley’s Forest Products LLC in Tomahawk will use a $29,880 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save the small business $3,637 per year. It will replace 30,060 kilowatt hours (31 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
- Northland Farms LLC in Rice Lake will use a $23,290 grant to replace a diesel irrigation pump motor with a more efficient electric pump motor. This project is expected to save the farming operation $2,973 per year. It will save 40,354 kilowatt hours (82 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
- Andy Pagel Ginseng Farms LLC in Merrill will use a $16,072 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the rural ag producer $2,008 per year. It will replace 11,261 kilowatt hours (kWh) (64 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
- David Blashe in Marion will use a $13,166 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the rural cabinet maker $981 per year. It will replace 7,377 kilowatt hours (kWh) (89 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
Since FY 2021, USDA has announced in Wisconsin more than $14.5 million through REAP in 140 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners' lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
Cleaner and More Affordable Fueling Options in Wisconsin
USDA is also awarding $1.7 million in grants through Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to two business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans cleaner, more affordable fuel options.
In Wisconsin:
- Jandu Oil Inc. Inc. will use a $1,389,750 grant to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Jandu Oil Inc. is the owner of 10 or fewer fueling stations. This project will install (13) E15 dispensers, (13) E85 dispensers, (13) B20 dispensers, three ethanol storage tanks, and three biodiesel storage tanks at three fueling stations, located in Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are in Sturgeon Bay (2), and Algoma. This project projects to increase the amount of biofuel sold by 2,150,017 gallons per year.
- Barbara Kraft Smoke Shop Inc. will use a $364,000 grant to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Barbara Kraft Smoke Shop Inc. is the owner of 10 or fewer fueling stations. This project will install one E15 dispenser, two E85 dispensers, and one ethanol storage tank at one fueling station, located in Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are in Ashland. This project projects to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 92,566 gallons per year.
HBIIP provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks. Applications are being accepted quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024.
The 19 Wisconsin projects are included in a national announcement recently made by USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in Erie, Pennsylvania. In all, USDA is providing $238 million in funding across 716 projects through the Rural Energy for America Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
USDA is proud to celebrate Earth Day to show how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is supporting locally driven solutions to expand access to clean energy, domestic biofuels, safe drinking water and other critical infrastructure.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
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