Rural Energy For America...
Fifteen Nebraska applicants have been selected to receive $474,974 in grants from USDA Rural Development through the Rural Energy for America Program. Funds will be used to install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements that will promote energy conservation.
"Through these projects, energy consumption will be reduced, thereby making more dollars available to be kept within rural Nebraska and assisting the state's rural economy," said Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development. "The projected number of households powered through this funding package is 309 homes providing 3,351,151 kWh of energy saved or generated."
Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal. Visit the Rural Energy for America Program website for more information or contact Jeff Carpenter (402) 437-5554.
Detailed below by county are the energy projects selected from Nebraska's allocation of funding. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreements.
Burt: Keogh, Ronald J. — Oakland — $35,250 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole.
Butler: Barcel Mill & Lumber, Inc. — Bellwood — $41,000 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole.
Clay: Browns Thrift Store, Inc. — Sutton — $23,669 — Replacing old refrigeration/freezer equipment with a 33 door freezer case, six door medium lunch meat refrigeration case, and a 10 door medium dairy refrigeration case.
Dawson: Olsen, Matthew — Gothenburg — $10,218 — Replacing inefficient lighting, windows, and installing stucco insulation system on the face of the building.
Prairie Point Junction, LLC — Cozad — $2,166 — Replacing existing inefficient lighting with new more efficient lighting.
Dixon: Bose, Andy — Wayne — $25,056 — Replacing an older, inefficient grain drying system with a new, more efficient model.
Furnas: Ruf, Margaret E — Wilsonville — $19,990 — Converting gravity irrigation system to a center pivot system, converting one propane irrigation motor to an electric motor, installing a pump panel and underground wiring.
Gage: Ensz Feedlot, Inc. — Beatrice — $49,750 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole tower.
Jefferson: Classic Dairy, Inc. — Jansen — $49,750 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole tower.
Lincoln: Bodenhamer, Richard E. — Hershey — $49,661 — Converting six diesel and one propane irrigation motors to electric motors, installing head shafts, pumps, pump panels, and underground wiring.
Merrick: Mesner Development Co. — Central City — $18,750 — Installing a 25 kW photo voltaic solar system on an existing building to replace the building's existing energy source.
Ziemba, Albin — Silver Creek — $29,425 — Replacing an older, inefficient grain drying system with a new, more efficient model.
Perkins: Sunco Systems, Inc. — Madrid — $41,250 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole tower.
Young Ag, LTD — Grant — $29,289 — Converting a diesel irrigation motor to an electric motor, installing variable frequency drive, and rebowling a well.
Seward: Roth, Cecil — Milford — $49,750 — Installing a 25 kW wind turbine on a 100 foot monopole tower.
The USDA has supported more than 9,600 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide through the Rural Energy for America Program. During this period, the Department has provided more than $288 million in grants and $268 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners.
The USDA's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way towards energy efficiency and dollar savings.