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Nebraska Ag Producers and Rural-Businesses Totaling 14 Assisted by USDA to Make Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements -Investments total $925,000

Name
Vicki Schurman
Email
vicki.schurman@usda.gov
Phone
402-437-5563
City
Lincoln
Release Date

  USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Karl Elmshaeuser today announced that nearly $925,000 will be utilized for energy efficiencies and renewable energy that will help a total of 14 ag producers and rural-based businesses.

  “Saving energy dollars through energy efficiency improvements means an increase in bottom-line revenue and supports economic growth,” said Elmshaeuser.  “USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has assisted 37 ag producers and rural small businesses in Fiscal Year 2019 through $1,128,108 which makes Rural Development a key funding source to help rural Nebraska prosper.”

  Nebraska recipients are:

  • Abels Farms Inc. of Amherst, Neb., will receive $24,413 for the conversion of gravity to a subsurface drip irrigation system, with a well rebowl. This project will realize $1,269 per year in savings and will save 5,481 kWh of electricity per year (45%).
  • American Shizuki Corporation of Ogallala, Neb., will receive $381,750 to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems, and electrical transformers. This project will realize $21,685 per year in savings and will replace 255,606 kWh of electricity per year (48%), which is enough electricity to power 23 homes.
  • Braun's IGA Inc. of Atkinson, Neb. is receiving $2,421 for the purchase and installation of a new 34 door Zero-Zone freezer system. This project will realize $6,910 per year in savings and will save 81,658 kWh of electricity per year (55%) which is enough to power seven homes.
  • Dougherty-Ruther Farms, LLC of Page, Neb. is receiving $27,576 to convert six diesel irrigation motors to electric irrigation motors. This project will realize $9,717 per year in savings and will save 462,892 kWh of electricity per year (65%) which is enough electricity to power 42 homes.
  • E Energy Adams, LLC of Adams, Neb. will receive $250,000 for the purchase and installation of a roller mill, fermentation tank, cooling tower and chiller, dehydration equipment, and evaporator. This project will generate 17 million gallons of biofuel each year, enough to fuel 23,035 automobiles per year.
  • Geneva Offices, LLC of Geneva, Neb. is receiving $4,281 for the purchase and installation of LED lighting. This project will realize $3,671.49 per year in savings and will save 2,143 kWh of electricity per year (32.74%).
  • H Corporation of Page, Neb is to receive $31,777 to convert six diesel irrigation motors to electric irrigation motors. This project will realize $19,319 per year in savings and will replace 972,211 kWh (65%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 89 homes.
  • Robert Ickes of Page, Neb. is receiving $3,747 to convert a diesel irrigation motor to an electric irrigation motor. This project will realize $758.00 per year in savings and will save 70,604 kWh of electricity per year (65.33%) which is enough electricity to power six homes.
  • Malco Products, SBC, Inc. of De Witt, Neb. will receive $49,941 for the purchase and installation of Nicor HBC-20 high-bay LED light fixtures, Nicor HBL3 LED lighting, Nicor Occupancy Sensors, Nicor high-bay ceiling mount sensors, Acuity Controls ceiling mount occupancy sensors with wall switch sensors, and EiKO LED T8 Tube Lights.  This project will realize $31,848 per year in savings and will save 300,493 kWh of electricity per year (60%) which is enough electricity to power 27 homes.
  • PMC Farms, LLC of Osceola, Neb. is receiving $11,361 for the purchase and installation of a 25 kW solar array. This project will realize $3,079 per year in savings and will generate 35,778 kWh of electricity per year (61%), which is enough to power three homes.
  • Riverpoint Properties, LLC of Norfolk, Neb. will receive $39,939 for the purchase and installation of a 92.5 kW solar array. This project will realize $11,019 per year in savings and will generate 136,350 kWh of electricity per year (112%), which is enough to power 12 homes.
  • Paul Schuster of Oconto, Neb. will receive $18,522 for the purchase and installation of a center pivot irrigation system.  This project will realize $3,429 per year in savings and will save 16,163 kWh of electricity per year (43%) which is enough electricity to power one home.
  • Sequoia Wealth Partners, LLC of Columbus, Neb. will receive $29,212 for the purchase and installation of lighting, windows, doors, insulated siding, insulated roof system, and HVAC. This project will realize $11,133 per year in savings and will save 84,862 kWh of electricity per year (70%) which is enough electricity to power seven homes.
  • Skytown Properties, LLC of Norfolk, Neb. is receiving $49,675 for the purchase and installation of a 280.5 kW solar array. This project will realize $20,260 per year in savings and will generate 422,096 kWh of electricity per year (88%), which is enough to power 38 homes.

   Elmshaeuser’s announcement is in coordination with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary of Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy’s announcement that  the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $237 million to help farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses lower energy costs. The Department is providing 640 awards to applicants in all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific. USDA is providing the funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  For Nebraska projects, please contact Energy Coordinator Jeff Carpenter at 402-437-5554 or jeff.carpenter@usda.gov.

  “Businesses grow and create more jobs when their energy costs are lower,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural businesses, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

   Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits, and to increase energy efficiency by making improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration. Also funding may be used to install renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar.

   In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.

   To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

   USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.#

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