Baldwin Helps Bring Home Nearly $6 Million for Wisconsin Farmers and Rural Businesses to Cut Energy Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced she helped deliver nearly $6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for more than 50 Wisconsin farmers, ranchers, and businesses to invest in renewable energy, upgrade to energy efficient equipment, and cut their energy costs. The grants, from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), help agricultural producers and rural small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments to lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations.

“Investing in renewable energy for Wisconsin is a win-win for our farmers, businesses, and environment. By installing more energy efficient equipment and renewable energy like solar panels, Wisconsinites can see their energy bills go down, helping them re-invest more dollars back into their businesses and workers,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to support these investments which pay for themselves, saving Wisconsinites money and combatting the impacts of climate change like extreme weather, flooding, and drought.”

The REAP program – which received a $2 billion boost through the Baldwin-backed Inflation Reduction Act – is helping farms and small businesses invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operations. Over 50 farms and businesses in Wisconsin were awarded REAP grants earlier this month, including:

Kinnard Farms in Casco – $403,507 to help Kinnard Farms Inc., a dairy farming operation in Casco, Wisconsin, install a new feed handling system. This project is expected to save $163,059 per year. It will replace 1,186,313 kilowatt hours (kWh) (45 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 109 homes.

Lemere Farms in Oconto – $92,404.00 to help LeMere Farms LLC, a farming operation in Oconto, Wisconsin, install a grain drying system. This project is expected to save $11,664 per year. It will replace 164,830 kilowatt hours (kWh) (90 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 15 homes.

I-K-I Manufacturing in Edgerton – $371,700 to install a 497 kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. I-K-I Manufacturing Co. Inc. is an aerosol can manufacturing company in Edgerton, Wisconsin, This project is expected to save $74,474 per year. It will replace 600,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) (73 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 55 homes.

Nidus Hospitality in Wausau – $157,500 to help Nidus Hospitality LLC, a hotel operation in Wausau, Wisconsin, make energy efficiency improvements to the hotel's elevator system. This project is expected to save $55,675 year. It will replace 482,038 kilowatt hours (kWh) (82 percent of the energy used by the elevator system) per year, which is enough energy to power 44 homes.

Tomahawk Terminal Company in Tomahawk – $106,183 to help Tomahawk Terminals Company install a small solar electric array. This rural small business operates in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and the project is expected to save $5,998 per year. It will replace 103,225 kilowatt hours (kW) (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power nine homes.

Tom Saffert & Sons in Rice Lake – $145,440 to install a more energy efficient grain dryer. Tom Saffert & Sons SCG is a farming operation in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. This project is expected to save $7,422 per year. It will save 103,561 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (63 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power nine homes.

CVG in Eau Claire – $58,400.00 to help CVG LLC install a small solar electric array. This farming operation is based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and the project is expected to save $6,364 per year. It will replace 62,041 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (87 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.

COMWAS in Ettrick – $100,160.00 to install a small solar electric array. COMWAS Inc. is a rural small business in Ettrick, Wisconsin. This project is expected to save $19,990 per year. It will replace 177,802 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 16 homes.

A full list of REAP award winners announced earlier this month can be found here.

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