News

August 27, 2008

harkin announces more than $7 million to support renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements on iowa farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced more than $7 million in funding to support renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements on Iowa farms.  The funding comes in the forms of grants and loans administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, which assists farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems and in making energy-efficient improvements to their operations.  Harkin established the program that funds this effort in the 2002 farm bill, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act.

“When it comes to reducing our country’s dependence on foreign oil, Iowa is on the front lines,” said Harkin.  “Farmers in our state are not only growing the crops that serve as feedstocks for domestic biofuelssupport, but at the same time, employing renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in their operations.  And Iowa wind farms are adding clean, renewable electricity to our power grids.  These funding announcements confirm the federal government supports Iowa’s efforts.  I congratulate each and every recipient on these competitive awards.”

Iowa grants and loans awarded today include:

Happy Wind Farm, LLC – a grant of $300,000 and a loan of $150,000.  The funding will be used to purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually. 

Merrill Manufacturing – a grant of $37,480 and a loan of $37,480.  The funding will purchase a new geothermal system that will replace 78 percent of the BTUs produced by a conventional heating and cooling system.

Wallace Auto Supply Co., Inc. – a grant of $17,250 and a loan of $17,250.  This project will erect a 20kW Jacobs wind turbine on a 120 ft tower and is expected to provide 100 percent of the power needed for the business.

EJBT Power, Inc. – a grant of $350,000 and a loan of $150,000.  This project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually. 

H&P Wind Farm, Inc. – a grant of $400,000 and a loan of $150,000.  This project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electricity output for sale annually.

J-M Windpower, LLC – a grant of $300,000 and a loan of $150,000.  The funding will support the purchase of a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

JSMJ Windpower, LLC – a grant of $300,000 and a loan for $150,000.  This project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

Schrad Enterprises, LLC – a grant for $250,000 and a loan of $150,000.  The funding will be used to purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

V&S Windpower, LLC – a grant for $350,000 and a loan of $150,000.  This project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

Vic Tomka Wind Farm, LLC – a grant of $300,000 and a loan of $150,000.  The funding will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

Jeffrey Holland of Forest City – a grant of $45,416 and a loan of $45,416.  This project will consist of the installation of a new, energy efficient grain dryer to replace an old dryer.

M&B Johnson Farms, Inc. – a grant for $12,500 and a loan of $12,500.  This project will replace LP space heaters with a new energy efficient, insulated geothermal heat pump projecting energy savings of 86 percent of BTUs.

Circle Hill Farms, LTD – a grant of $13,068 and a loan for $13,068.  This funding will install new insulation in turkey barns with expected energy savings of 64 percent.

Roeder Family Wind Farm, LLC – a grant of $360,000 and a loan for $400,000.  This project will purchase and install a renewable energy wind turbine projecting to generate an average of approximately 2.80 million kWh annually or at a 34.8 percent annual capacity factor.

Windwalkers, LLC – a grant for $360,000 and a loan of $400,000.  This project will purchase and install a renewable energy wind turbine projecting 2.74 million kWh annually or at a 34.7 percent annual capacity factor.

Green Prairie Wind, LLC – a grant for $300,000 and a loan for $150,000.  This project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

Fermanagh Wind Farm – a grant for $300,000 and a loan for $150,000.  The project will purchase a wind turbine to generate approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of electric output for sale annually.

Barry Mohr—a grant of $15,000.  The funding will be used to replace two, 35 year old grain dryers with a  new grain dryer system, projecting emerging savings of 39 percent. 

Garth Gardemann—a grant of $12,487.  The funding will be used to replace a 34 year old grain dryer with a  new grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 47 percent.

Brad Benda—a grant of $7,982. The funding will replace an old grain dryer with a  new, more efficient grain dryer projecting energy savings of 32 percent.

Ryan Bailey—a grant of $20,531.  The funding will be used to replace a 35 year old inefficient grain dryer with a  new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 60.32 percent in energy savings.

LaVon Griffieron—a grant of $3,373. The funding will be used to replace 9 chest freezers with a more energy efficient walk-in freezer projecting energy savings of 34 percent.

Mark Baumert—a grant of $11,343. The funding will be used to replace an old, inefficient grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer projecting energy savings of 36 percent.

Bakker Brothers—a grant of $12,478.  The funding will be used to replace a 20+ year old grain dryer projecting over 37.31 percent in energy savings. 

J& B Farms, Inc.—a grant of $11,153.  The funding will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer projecting 52 percent energy savings.

James Teskoetter—a grant of $12,402.  The funding will be used to replace an old, inefficient grain drying system with a  new efficient continuous flow bin drying system projecting 38.1 percent energy savings.

Roger Woodruff—a grant of $11,639. The funding will be used to replace an inefficient grain dryer with a new efficient grain drying system projecting energy savings of 35 percent. 

Ayrshire Quick Stop, L.C.—a grant of $10,635.  The funding will be used to purchase coolers and refrigerators to replace old costly units, projecting energy savings of 53 percent.

Adams Plumbing and Heating, Inc.—a grant of $10,347. The funding will be used to install a new geothermal heating system. 

RENEW Energy Systems, LLC—a grant of $300,000.  The funding will be used to purchase mobile briquette machines to produce high density biomass fuel briquettes. 

Glenn Ahlf—a grant of $9,264. The funding will be used to replace an old, inefficient PTO unit with a new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 65 percent in energy savings.

Robert Niess—a grant of $20,030. The funding will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new Sukup Model T12 highly efficient grain dryer, projecting over 48.66 percent in energy savings.

Kurtis Hemann—a grant of $15,004.  The funding will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new Sukup Model T12 highly efficient grain dryer, projecting over 48 percent in energy savings.

Alan Wagner—a grant of $13,639. The funding will be used to install a geothermal heating system for a farm workshop.

J&G REGIONAL SERVICES, INC—a grant of $27,250.  The funding will be used to purchase and install a new geothermal heating and cooling system for J&G Regional Services, Inc, projecting 73.5 percent in energy replacement.

Sawmill Hollow, Inc.—a grant of $9,307.  The funding will be used to install a new geothermal system in new business buildings for heating and cooling purposes.  This system expects a savings of 66 percent over a conventional fossil-fuel heating a cooling system.

Jerry Dean Kahl—a grant of $12,556.  The funding will be used to purchase and install a wood burning hydronic system that will provide heat to a new building used for a commercial wood production storage and marketing.

Heartland Foam Insealators, LLC—a grant of $21,896.  The funding will be used to install a geothermal system in a new building for Heartland Foam Insealators.  This project expects a 73 percent savings over a conventional fossil fuel heating system.

Kent McCormick—a grant of $5,478.  The funding will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a  new, more efficient grain dryer projecting 41.371 percent energy savings. 

Carl Reicks—a grant of $10,425.  The funding ill be used to replace an old, inefficient grain dryer with a new, more efficient continuous flower grain dryer projecting 47.1 percent energy savings.

Jon Baltes—a grant of $12,499.  The funding will be used to replace a 29 year old inefficient dryer with a new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 36.15 percent in energy savings. 

Dallas Knutson – a grant of $12,500.  Project funds will be used to replace a 30+ year old natural air dryer with a highly efficient Shivvers grain dryer, projecting over 43 percent in energy savings.

D&D Heetland Farms, LLC – a grant of $8,741.  The project will replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 56 percent.

Jeff Smitherman – a grant of $11,283.  The funding will be used to replace two older, inefficient DMC bin dryers with a new, highly efficient Shivvers grain dryer, projecting over 43 percent in energy savings.

David Anderson – a grant of $12,271.  The project will install a new 36’ Shivver’s Performance System to replace an old grain dryer with expected savings of 28 percent.

Mark Edward Brim – a grant of $6,292.  The funding will be used to install a new Shivvers Command Center and stirrator equipment to replace an old grain dryer with expected savings of 30 percent.

Mark Kuhn – a grant of $25,762.  This project will install a 39.5 kW wind turbine.

Paul J. Staudt – a grant of $12,002.  Project funds will be used to install a new geothermal heating system.

Erion Farm Management, Inc. – a grant of $28,150.  Project funds will be used to replace an old, inefficient grain drying system with a more efficient continuous flow grain drying system, projecting 52 percent energy savings.

Lyle Buhr – a grant of $10,362.  This project will replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 60 percent.

DJ Keehner Farms, Inc. – a grant of $11,561.  This project will replace a propane heating system with an efficient renewable energy geothermal system to heat the agriculture shop on farm, projecting 78 percent energy savings.

Roy Hageman – a grant of $9,316.  Grants funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting 312,726 mBtu in energy savings.

Dennis Ptacek – a grant of $12,480.  Grant funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting 43.7 percent in energy savings.

Tamco Pork II, LLC – a grant of $45,652.  Project funds will be used to upgrade the current swine gestation and furrowing buildings and equipment on the farm, projecting energy savings of 35 percent.

Jeff Weber – a grant of $8,075.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 56 percent.

Kenneth Young – a grant of $3,924.  Grant funds will be used to purchase and install a Wood Doctor outdoor wood furnace.  The furnace will reduce the dependence on natural gas in the winter months by approximately 90-100 percent.

Hoskin Elevator, Inc. – a grant of $8,994.  Grant funds will be used to install a more efficient grain dryer to rep;ace a 35 year old inefficient grain dryer.

Dennis Price – a grant of $12,499.  Grant funds will be used to replace an 18 year old dryer with a new, more efficient grain drying system, projecting energy savings of 50 percent.

Canaandale Farms, Inc. – a grant of $30,712.  Grant funds will be used to replace an old, inefficient grain dryer with a new grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 56 percent.

Goodlove Inn, Inc. – a grant of $9,900.  The funding will be used to install geothermal heating and cooling.

Ledger Partnership – a grant of $12,465.  This project will replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 34 percent.

Ronald Boss – a grant of $11,692.  This project will replace an old grain bin with a new grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 31 percent.

Practical Environmental Solutions – a grant of $43,145.  Project funds will be used to purchase and install a biomass dryer to utilize both dry and wet raw materials in pellet production.

R&J Farms, Ltd. – a grant of $12,447.  Grant funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 31 percent.

Gary Schmidt – a grant of $11,979.  Grant funds will be used to replace an older bin dryer with a new, more efficient  grain drying system, projecting energy savings of 33 percent.

Clifford Pfab – a grant $10,259.  Grant funds will be used to replace an 18 year older bin dryer with a new, more efficient grain drying system, projecting energy savings of 64 percent.

David Boeding – a grant of $23,406.  Grant funds will be used to replace a 20 year old grain drying system with a new, more efficient grain drying system, projecting energy savings of 56 percent.

M&Jay Enterprises, LC – a grant of $4,825.  Grant funds will be used to purchase and install a 3 ton geothermal heating/cooling system.

Eric Meyer – a grant of $7,274.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 30 percent.

Larry Friedlein – a grant of $9,590.  This project will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 44 percent.

David Larson – a grant of $16,800.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 47 percent.

Shady Rest Hog Farm – a grant of $10,643.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 50 percent.

Michael Wenger – a grant of $10,618.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 35 percent.

Catlett Farms, Inc. – a grant of $17,750.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 41 percent.

Jerry Bayness – a grant of $12,336.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 35 percent.

Dean Schmitt – a grant of $11,080.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 38 percent.

TSD Farms, Inc. – a grant of $11,519.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 43 percent.

Tri-R Farms, Inc. – a grant of $20,142.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 45 percent.

William E. Hacke – a grant of $12,136.  Project funds will be used to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient grain dryer, projecting energy savings of 38 percent.