Gov. Doyle: 11 Wisconsin Companies to Receive Free Energy Saving Assessment

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Contact:  Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

              Scott Larrivee, Department of Administration, 608-266-7362

              John Nicol, Focus on Energy, 608-277-2941

              Masood Akhtar, Center for Technology Transfer, 608-203-0111

Initiative Will Help Businesses Cut Natural Gas Consumption and Increase Efficiency

Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 11 Wisconsin companies were among 200 industrial plants selected nationally to receive an innovative, no-cost energy saving assessment funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  The assessments will identify ways the companies can become more efficient and reduce their natural gas consumption.

“Rising energy costs affect every business and household in the state,” Governor Doyle said.  “These assessments will help our businesses remain competitive, and keep Wisconsin at the forefront of energy efficiency and innovation.”

Part of the DOE’s recently launched the Save Energy Now initiative, the assessments could result in significant energy and cost savings for the selected plants.  During the process Energy Experts from the DOE will help the plants determine the most effective ways to optimize their energy use, particularly in the areas of steam and process heating systems.  If implemented, recommendations made on the first six assessments could reduce total plant natural gas consumption by more than six percent and save $10 million per year in energy costs for those plants alone. 

Governor Doyle thanked the Wisconsin‘s Focus on Energy program and the Center for Technology Transfer which worked to make companies aware of the federal program.   

“Wisconsin received 11 of these free energy assessments – far more than the national average of four per state,” Governor Doyle said.  “I am pleased that our state’s efficiency programs continue to find ways to help businesses improve their bottom lines and reduce natural gas consumption across our state.”

Wisconsin companies selected for the free DOE assessment are:

• Associated Milk Producers – Blair, WI


• Cardinal Corporation – Portage WI


• Foremost Farms USA – Richland Center, WI


• Georgia Pacific – Green Bay WI


• Kohler Company – Kohler, WI


• Mercury Marine – Fond du Lac, WI


• PCA – Tomahawk WI


• Quad/Graphics – Sussex, WI


• SCA Tissue North America – Menasha, WI


• Stora Enso – Kimberly, WI


• ThyssenKrupp – Waupaca, WI

All assessments will be completed by December 31, 2006. 

About Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin.  The goals of the program are to encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, enhance the environment, and ensure the future supply of energy for Wisconsin.  Since July 2001, the program has helped Wisconsin‘s businesses and residents cut their annual utility bills by more than $86 million – reducing their energy consumption by more than 725 million kilowatt-hours and more than 35 million therms of natural gas.  For more information, call 800-762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

About Center for Technology Transfer

CTT is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that commercializes new technologies and improves the competitiveness of Wisconsin‘s key industry clusters.  Its mission is to accelerate the development and industry adoption of process improvements and innovations that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.  By improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, these new technologies will reduce operating costs for Wisconsin businesses making them more competitive and allowing them to retain and create jobs. It also will keep more money in Wisconsin by reducing the amount of energy purchased from other states and nations.  CTT is sponsored in part by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin‘s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative.  Additional information on CTT can be found at www.cttinc.org.