Janet Dietz
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that it’s funding new projects in Nebraska.
The goal is to lower costs and expand access to clean energy for farms and small businesses.
The USDA is awarding $1.16 million to help them install new ways of generating and saving energy on their properties.
“I am thrilled to announce these investments to help our rural communities in their efforts to continue driving an economy that benefits working people right here in Nebraska,” Director Joan Scheel said. “We will continue to work hard to ensure our rural communities have the resources they need for the future.”
The businesses in Nebraska that will benefit from these grants are as follows:
Real estate lessor Daniel Van Boening will install a 15-kilowatt wind turbine in Blue Hill. This project will save the business an estimated $1,650 per year and generate 49,000 kilowatt-hours (100% of the company’s energy use) per year.
Agland Electric and Irrigation Inc. will install a 26-kilowatt solar array in Ord. This project is expected to save the business $4,600 annually and generate 40,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity (78% of the business’ energy use) per year.
Ethanol producer Sandhills Renewable Energy will install a more energy-efficient cooling tower in Atkinson. The new system is expected to save the business $320,000 in electrical costs and replace 4.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity (11% of the business’ energy use) per year.
Siouxland Ethanol LLC will install an energy-efficient truck oil recovery system in Jackson. The new system is expected to save the business $690,300 in electrical costs and replace 3.28 million kilowatt-hours of electricity (6% of the business’ energy use) per year.
Real estate lessor Greg Auten will install a 15-kilowatt wind turbine in Blue Hill. This project will save the business an estimated $1,530 per year and generate 45,400 kilowatt-hours (100% of the company’s energy use) per year.
Grain producer Kent Kruger will install a more energy-efficient electric irrigation motor in Randolph. The new system is expected to save the farmer $10,000 in electrical costs and replace 107,000 kilowatt-hours (65% of this energy use) per year.