The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, announced a $14 million grant investment to expand access to clean energy and biofuels in Wisconsin.
This funding, awarded through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program and the Rural Energy for America Program, will support 42 projects across 27 counties including seven in Northeast Wisconsin.
“The dozens of awards I’m announcing today will help lower energy costs and provide a historic opportunity for farmers and rural businesses to invest in clean energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements,” said Julie Lassa, Wisconsin State Director for the USDA.
Among the projects are:
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- In Fond du Lac County, JP Grahl Farms, a real estate operation in Eden, will use a $70,963 to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $10,078 per year. It will replace 71,983 kilowatt hours (kWh) (60 percent of the company s energy use) per year.
- In Kewaunee County, Quali T Screening, Inc., a small business in Luxemburg, will use a $29,965 REAP grant to install a roof-mount solar electric array. This project is expected to save $2,911 per year. It will replace 24,258 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company’s energy use) per year.
- In Kewaunee County, Lazy J Dairy Farms, LLC, a dairy operation in Luxemburg, will use a $224,227 REAP grant to install a solar electric array. This project is expected to save $22,009 per year. It will replace 225,075 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 20 homes.
- In Kewaunee County, Rosewood Dairy, Inc., a rural small business in Algoma, will use a $500,000 REAP grant to install new, more energy efficient lighting. This project is expected to save $18,419 per year. It will save 237,768 kilowatt hours (kWh) (60 percent of the business’s energy use) per year.
- In Marinette County, Frank’s Inc. a logging operation in Peshtigo, will use a $84,485 REAP grant to purchase and install a more energy-efficient firewood processor. This project is expected to save the small business $13,061 per year. It will save 167,466 kilowatt hours (72 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 15 homes.
- In Shawano County, Bisley Fabrication, a rural small business in Gresham, will use a $147,500 REAP grant to install a roof-mounted electric array. This project is expected to save $18,319 per year. It will replace 163,560 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the company’s energy use) per year.
- In Sheboygan County, Depies Shady Lane Dairy, an agricultural producer in Adell, will use a $221,221 REAP grant to install a roof-mounted solar electric array. This project is expected to save $56,609 per year. It will replace 336,960 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the ompany’s energy use) per year.
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grants were made to:
- RSD Enterprises, LLC, which owns and operates fueling stations, will use a $3.86 million HBIIP grant to create infrastructure to expand sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will install 36 E15 dispensers, 18 B20 dispensers, 7 ethanol storage tanks, and 7 biodiesel storage tanks at 7 fueling stations, located in Wisconsin and Michigan. Station locations impacted by this grant are: Green Bay, Luxemburg, Manitowoc, Abbotsford, Stanley, Durand, and Grand Rapids. This project projects to increase the amount of biofuel sold by 2,369,151 gallons per year.
- Somers Market, LLC will use a $727,250 HBIIP grant to create infrastructure to expand sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will install 17 E15 dispensers and 13 B20 dispensers at a fueling station in Kenosha. This project will increase the amount of biofuel sold by 1,748,800 gallons per year.
- JT Petroleum LLC, which owns and operates fueling stations, will use a $5 million HBIIP grant to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will install 79 E15 dispensers, 23 B20 dispensers, 19 ethanol storage tanks, and 15 biodiesel storage tanks at 19 fueling stations, located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are: Bloomington, Brussels, Grand Chute, Grand Rapids, Marion, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, Mitchell, Mt. Vernon, Oshkosh, Pewaukee, Racine (2), Radcliff, Salem, Sheboygan, Sturgeon Bay, Two Rivers, and Waukesha. This project will increase the amount of biofuel sold by 6,160,734 gallons per year.
