JOHNSON CREEK – State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen today visited Johnson Creek-based United Cooperative to present a check for $18,000 in financial incentives used to help install a new grain dryer at the facility. He also announced another $24,000 will go to the United Cooperative facility in Beaver Dam when a similar project is completed this fall. About $97,5000 in incentive grants will be provided to eight agricultural producers and cooperatives to install high efficiency grain dryers that reduce energy costs. He was joined by Kimberly Walker, administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Energy.
“Reducing energy consumption is an important component of Governor Doyle’s plan to make Wisconsin a leader in energy independence,” said Nilsestuen. “I commend United Cooperative for their initiative in installing innovative, energy-saving technologies.”
Governor Doyle’s Declaration of Energy Independence challenges the state to generate 25 percent of electricity and 25 percent of transportation fuel from renewable fuels by 2025. Additional goals include capturing 10 percent of the market share for the production of renewable energy sources by 2030.
Funding for the energy efficiency incentives comes from Focus on Energy’s Agriculture and Rural Business Program, a portion of the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative.
“Energy efficiency helps Wisconsin farmers and agribusinesses compete in a global market,” said Walker.
The energy saved through these investments is enough to meet the annual energy needs for over 1,450 Wisconsin homes.
For more information about saving opportunities at your facility or Focus on Energy’s Business Programs, call Focus on Energy at 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com. For more information about Governor Doyle’s Energy Help hotline, call 800.522.3014 or visit Energyhelp.wi.gov.
