Lena – A Wisconsin Dairy was honored Tuesday for its efforts to reduce energy waste when Peterson’s Dairy LLC received an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award.
Working with Oconto Electric Cooperative and Focus on Energy’s energy advisors, Peterson’s Dairy made energy efficiency a priority when building its new facility in 2017. The dairy installed LED lights throughout the new facility, put energy-efficient drives on its milk and vacuum pumps, and added energy-free livestock waterers.
State Representative Jeff Mursau represents Lena at the State Capitol and came to Tuesday’s award presentation.
“I’d like to thank everyone for being here today, thank Focus on Energy for these incentive programs,” Rep. Mursau said. “All these incentive programs absolutely [help] all of our ratepayers. It actually helps everybody across Wisconsin, in particular my district, because it keeps us from having to create more utilities and those are very expensive. It’s just nice to see that there’s a farm that might be able to take advantage.”
Perterson’s Dairy LLC will save more than $43,000 a year in reduced energy costs thanks to steps the business took in 2017 and will receive a total incentive of more than $28,000 through Focus on Energy’s Business Incentive Program.
“Oftentimes we’re in the office. And we’re able to see the direct impact of the Focus on Energy program, so it’s just really exciting to be here, to be part of this,” said Maria Redmond, Director of the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation. “You see the economic activity happening in rural areas. That’s very important.”
The dairy is one of 16 Wisconsin businesses, schools and institutions being honored with an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award.
A recent evaluation report found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $5.93 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs, and reduced pollution.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
