Baldwin Helps Deliver $700,000 to Cut Energy Costs for Farmers and Rural Businesses

WISCONSIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced over $700,000 to help agricultural producers and rural small business owners invest in renewable energy, lower energy costs, and generate new income. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which received a $2 billion boost through the Baldwin-backed Inflation Reduction Act.

“These upgrades will help our farmers and small business owners cut energy costs, tackle climate change, and re-invest back into their businesses and workers,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I am proud to deliver this funding and move our rural economies forward.”

The following farms and businesses in Wisconsin were awarded REAP grants, including:

Moneypenny Farms in Mineral Point - $125,000 to install a more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $12,493 per year. It will save 269,546 kilowatt hours (35 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 24 homes.

Progress Auto in New Lisbon - $243,735 to help install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $21,009 per year. It will replace 313,565 kilowatt hours (97 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 28 homes.

Dave Hoffman in Glenwood City- $122,117 to install a more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $4,372 per year. It will save 83,252 kilowatt hours (23 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.

Carlson Farm Partnership in New Richmond- $75,219 to install a 52.8 kilowatt ground mount solar array. The project is expected to save $7,397 per year. It will replace 73,970 kilowatt-hours (82 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

Allan Hass in Westby - $35,289 to help install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $5,751 per year. It will replace 50,006 kilowatt hours (76 percent of the farm's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.

Manitowish Cranberry Company in Manitowish Waters - $77,582 to install more energy-efficient electric irrigation pumps. The new system is expected to save the company $4,636 per year. It will save 120,892 kilowatt-hours (72 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough to power 11 homes.

Bashaw Valley Enterprises in Shell Lake - $31,935 to install a 29 kilowatt ground mount solar array. This project is expected to save $4,005 per year. It will replace 38,516 kilowatt-hours (75 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.

###