THU AM News: USDA announces $93 million in grants to lower energy costs, create jobs in rural Wisconsin

October 9, 2024

— The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing nearly $93 million in programs seeking to lower energy costs and create jobs in rural communities in the state, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julia Lassa announced.

The bulk of the money, $91.5 million, is being invested through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program, which provides low-interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness to fund clean energy projects and energy storage.

The investments include:

$75.9 million for Stag Moose Solar LLC to finance 22 ground-mounted solar panel arrays to produce 62.75 megawatts of energy in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota — enough to power about 16,000 homes.
$15.6 million for Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse County to finance the installation of two megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy generation at two sites in western Wisconsin. The installations will generate enough electricity to power up to 1,000 homes.

The remaining $1.3 million is being invested in USDA Rural Development grants to 21 rural Wisconsin businesses through the REAP program. The program provides money to help farmers and rural small business owners boost energy efficiency and invest in wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy.

The REAP funding is part of the $104 million USDA has announced for 300 clean energy projects across 34 states.

Some of the projects include:

$696,396 for Cedar Falls Solar LLC in Oneida County to install solar panels in Rhinelander. The project is expected to earn $140,000 per year and generate 1.7 million kilowatt-hours per year, enough to power 159 homes.
$55,374 for Rotering Ridge Farms LLC in Trempealeau County to help install a new grain drying system in Arcadia. The project is expected to save $6,800 in electric costs each year and 83,500 kilowatt-hours, enough to power seven homes.
$40,850 for Full Circle Community Farm in Outagamie County to install a wind turbine in Seymour. The project is projected to save the farm $8,000 in electrical costs per year and replace 40,000 kilowatt hours, enough energy to power three homes.

— The Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee donated over 850 pieces of home furniture and 215 pieces of office furniture left over from the RNC to 20 local nonprofits.

President and CEO of the MKE 2024 Host Committee Alison Prange said the group is “thrilled” that the group continues to make sure the RNC’s impact is “felt positively across Milwaukee.”

“The organizations receiving this furniture all represent groups looking to make a difference in Milwaukee and the surrounding area,” said Prange. “We are proud that we can play a small part in giving back to the community that was so generous with its support for the convention.”

The donations come after the committee, a non-political arm of the RNC, announced $40,000 in grants to four Milwaukee-area organizations — Fisher House Wisconsin, Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School, Notre Dame School of Milwaukee and Veterans Community Project.

See the full list of non-profits that received furniture donations here.

— Four finalists are moving on to the next stage in the ninth annual Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest.

The finalists, after three rounds of voting, were chosen from a pool of 130 products nominated and include:

Military Medals and Insignia by Medalcraft Mint Inc. in Green Bay;
Jolly Good Soda by Krier Foods in Random Lake;
Revo by Vulture Systems in Menomonee Falls; and
X739 Signature Series Lawn Tractor made by John Deere in Horicon.

The competition highlights the state’s nearly $72 billion manufacturing industry and the “high-tech, high-skill and high-pay career opportunities available within the sector,” according to a WMC press release.

The final round of voting, which will determine the winner, begins today and the winner will be crowned at WMC’s Business Day in Madison that day.

— Dairyland Power and Minnesota Power have withdrawn their air permit for the NTEC methane gas plant the companies planned to build in Superior.

The withdrawal immediately nullifies the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources permit-to-construct. The coalition would have to file and receive a new air permit application, obtain a subsidy from the federal government and get a federal wetlands permit if they decide to move forward with the construction of the facility.

The plan has been met with mixed opinions in Superior after it was approved by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in 2020, including a denial of approvals for $1 billion in funds for the plant.

Supporters say the plant would boost the economy, while critics say it would be expensive and bad for the environment.

It is estimated the plant would create about $1 million in tax revenues each year and add 350 construction jobs and 25 full-time jobs.

An environmental review said the project would produce 2.7 million tons each year in greenhouse gas emissions, meanwhile reducing emissions by about 800,000 tons each year.

Healthy Climate Wisconsin’s clean air coordinator Dr. Brittany Keyes said Wisconsin is currently last in the Midwest in terms of clean energy production.

“Utilities must prioritize clean energy generation, storage, and grid enhancement technologies over new fossil fuel investments,” Keyes said in a Sierra Club press release. “Future clean energy investments are better for our health, communities, and environment.”

— The Waukesha County Business Alliance says it opposes an additional 0.5% sales tax recently proposed by County Exec Paul Farrow.

Amanda Payne, president of the alliance, said costs are already soaring and “now is not the time to put additional burden on Waukesha County families and job creators.”

“This proposal is too much, too fast, and we call on the County to re-evaluate the tax plan. We are opposed to overtaxing Waukesha County residents with a projected $50-$60 million increase,” Payne said.

Farrow announced he had introduced an ordinance to authorize the 0.5% on top of the existing 5% state sales and use tax. The plan is expected to have an annual impact of $146 per household, about $12 per month.

“The plan is a compromise proposal to address our critical fiscal needs for nearly a decade,” Farrow said.

A county board committee is set to discuss the proposal Monday, and a full board vote is set for Oct. 22.

Under the proposal:

20% of state tax collections, about $12 million if sales tax collections reach $60 million, would go toward a property tax cut, which is projected to reduce the impact of the sales tax on homeowners from $12 per month to $7.25 per month.
Up to another 20%, about $12 million if sales tax collections reach $60 million, would go to local property tax reduction through municipal aid payments.
The other 60%, about $36 million if sales tax collections reach $60 million, would be used to reduce the county’s annual budget shortfall for the next eight to 10 years and provide funds for the next capital budget.

German company plans to build three more facilities in Kenosha

State Building Commission approves funding for Milwaukee Rep, other community projects

TOPICS

BANKING

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CONSTRUCTION

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EDUCATION

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– DPI releases 2023-24 standardized testing results

– Universities of Wisconsin system soon starts search for Chancellor Mark Mone’s successor

ENVIRONMENT