USDA invests $24 million in Wisconsin to boost rural energy

By Blake Jackson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced a significant investment of over $24 million in rural Wisconsin communities.

This funding, allocated through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will support 13 projects aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting sustainability.

“The Rural Energy for America Program helps farmers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements," said Julie Lassa, Wisconsin State Director for USDA Rural Development. “Through the USDA, the Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with small business owners and ag producers to help them save money on their bottom line, expand their businesses and become more energy independent.”

The REAP-funded projects in Wisconsin include:

In Brown County, a $22.6 million loan will support Tinedale Project, LLC in constructing an anaerobic digester to convert methane into renewable natural gas. The project is expected to create three jobs.

Other initiatives include solar installations in Calumet, Grant, Marathon, Pierce, Polk, Vernon, and Vilas counties, with projected savings ranging from $1,676 to $113,355 annually. These projects aim to power homes and offset up to 100% of energy usage for some businesses.

Energy-efficient grain dryers will be installed in Monroe, Portage, Pierce, and Marquette counties, with savings between $8,722 and $22,670 per year. Notably, Knutson Family Farms in Pierce County is expected to save 499,631 kilowatt hours annually, equivalent to powering 46 homes.

The REAP program, backed by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, enables agricultural producers and rural businesses to adopt renewable energy like wind, solar, and geothermal systems. These advancements promote income growth, business expansion, and climate change mitigation while lowering energy costs.

Since January 2021, USDA has invested over $2.3 billion in renewable energy projects, including $66.7 million in Wisconsin.

Applications for the final REAP funding round under the Inflation Reduction Act are open, with deadlines on December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.

Photo Credit: usda