Nebraska Receives 152 USDA Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants

State Leads Nation: 152 Grants...
Nebraska Receives $2.38 million in USDA Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants
Nebraska received $2,380,810 in grants that will assist 152 rural small businesses and agricultural producers in areas of renewable energy resource development and energy efficiency

Electric irrigation pump

improvements of existing systems. Nationally, 375 grants totaling $17.5 million were awarded in 26 states in September 2006. Nationwide, Nebraska ranked first in number of energy applications funded and second in total energy dollars received.

Of the 152 grants awarded in Nebraska, 125 are for irrigation efficiency projects that reduce energy use. Some irrigation projects also include switching from higher priced fuels to cheaper electricity. The largest grant, $500,000, was awarded to Northeast Nebraska Biodiesel in Scribner, a 5 million gallon a year facility that is under construction. USDA logo

Other energy efficiency grants included projects in a furniture store, a meat plant, grocery store, auto repair shop, print shop, funeral home, poultry operation and a nursery. According to the Energy Office, about 180 Nebraskans applied for grants.

In the previous three years, Nebraska applicants have received nearly $778,000 in 57 grants. Nationally, USDA has provided $87.3 million in grants and $34.3 million in loan guarantees to 844 applicants.

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. Recipients of the funding include agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents that have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Additionally, the program provides loan guarantees up to $10 million to fund up to 50 percent of eligible projects. More than $4.6 million in federal funds was allocated in loan guarantees and grants under the program earlier this year. Eligible projects include those that derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar or geothermal energy sources. Awards are made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy efficiency improvements.

Click on the region below to find grant winners in that area

Nebraska Grant Recipients

Northwest:

Dickey, James & Wendy-Chadron-$3,750-Small business energy efficiency updates
Bohlender, Richard L.-Gordon-$4,220-Update irrigation from diesel to electric
Diers, William L.-Hay Springs-$3,251-Install diesel to electric irrigation updates
Johnson, James A.-Hay Springs-$3,378-Convert irrigation pivots from diesel to electric
Troester, P. Bruce-Marsland-$10,697-Irrigation efficiency improvements

Southwest:

Alex & Yvonne Schmunk Inc.-Bridgeport-$39,090-Upgrade lights, frozen food and produce cases
Twin City Pack Inc.-Gering-$12,432-Install energy efficient cooler condensers in meat packing plant
Pro-Health-Wray, Co.-$48,500- Install VFD control system for potato warehouse

North Central:

Bejot, Thomas-Ainsworth-$9,910-Convert diesel irrigation motor to electric
Bejot, Stephen-Ainsworth-$4,907-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Blowers, Daniel-Arnold-$5,760-Convert from diesel to electric irrigation engines
Ramm, James J.-Atkinson-$4,285-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Hitchcock Funeral Home, Inc.-Burwell-$1,770-Install polyurethane foam with acrylic coat on roof
Pongratz, Dave-O’Neill-$4,000-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric motor
Shamrock Nursery, Inc.-O’Neill-$4,430-Install corn burning furnaces
Hruza Entertainment LLC-Ord-$6,520- Install heating and cooling unit, outside wall insulation
Matschullat, Douglas W.-Page-$6,839-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
Kelly, Gilbert-Page-$3,250-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Dowse, Marvin-Sargent-$2,960-Rebowl irrigation well
Nelsen Furniture, Inc.-Valentine-$8,861-Replace fuel furnace and air conditioning with air source heat pump

South Central:

Woollen, Carl-Axtell-$2,330-Convert to diesel irrigation engine
Kuck, Kallen-Bertrand-$10,750-Install bridges for irrigation ditch, electric power unit, pump and panel
Struckman, Thomas-Brule-$4,400-Convert diesel irrigation motor to electric
Huxoll, Kurtis-Cambridge-$7,790-Convert from gravity to tower irrigation pivots
DL&W Farms, Inc.-Cambridge-$7,830-Convert to electric irrigation motor, linear pivot system
Johnson, Von-Cambridge-$8,000-Replace gravity irrigation system with center pivot
Cramer, Dale-Cambridge-$10,720-Convert from gravity to center pivot irrigation, diesel to electric
Hock, Bradford-Culbertson-$6,730-Change irrigation from diesel power to electric
Mustion, Jerry-Culbertson-$16,820-Convert from gravity irrigation to center pivot
Swanson, Bryce-Eddyville-$2,750-New diesel irrigation engine
M&J Farms, Inc.-Elm Creek-$13,090-Convert electric irrigation motor, center pivot
Meier, Joel-Elm Creek-$19,750-Convert to center pivot, natural gas well to electric
McClintock, Duane-Elsie-$4,600-Convert diesel to electric irrigation well
Box L Land & Cattle Inc.-Elsie-$12,450-Convert diesel to electric irrigation engines
F. Allen & Dwight Schneider Farms-Funk-$7,530-Convert to center pivot, rebowl well
Wilkens, Lyle James-Gibbon-$38,590-Convert to irrigation pivots; diesel well to electric
Carlson, Lee-Gothenburg-$4,420-Replace diesel irrigation engine with electric
Olson, Donald-Gothenburg-$8,440-Convert diesel motor to electric irrigation motor
Peterson, Jerry-Gothenburg-$7,230-Convert diesel irrigation motors to electric
Peterson Supermarket, Inc.-Gothenburg-$19,260-Upgrade dairy, produce and meat cases
Alfs,Timothy-Gothenburg-$18,150-Convert from diesel to electric motors on irrigation wells
Double H Enterprises, LLC-Grand Island-$7,910-New efficient HVAC system
Malmkar Farms-Grant-$24,310-Convert diesel irrigation wells to electric
Turn-West Farms Inc.-Grant-$5,140-Install variable frequency drive controlling lead demand on electric irrigation motor
Schriner, Cecil-Hildreth-$13,380-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot system
Knaus, Ronald-Hildreth-$12,330-Convert gravity irrigation system to center pivot
Gardner Land & Cattle, Co.-Holdrege-$8,800-Convert natural gas and diesel irrigation wells to electric
Lueking, Clyde-Holdrege-$25,790- Convert diesel irrigation wells to electric
Brian J Farms, Inc.-Holdrege-$46,920-Convert to electric irrigation wells, center pivot, rebuild pumps
Busy B Ranch, Inc.-Holdrege-$14,030-Convert to electric irrigation well, center pivot, rebowl well
Winz Wagon Wheel Ranch, Inc.-Holdrege-$21,500-Convert to sub-surface drip tape irrigation system
Johnson, Robert R.-Holdrege-$12,360-Convert natural gas irrigation wells to electric
Gray Farms General Partnership-Holdrege-$5,625-Refurbish irrigation pump, install natural gas engine
R&K Olson, Inc.-Holdrege-$3,370-Convert natural gas irrigation motor to electric
Black, David-Holdrege-$9,130-Convert irrigation wells from natural gas motors to electric
Enquist, Arlan-Holdrege-$25,990-Convert from gravity irrigation to center pivots
HY Farms Inc.-Holstein-$12,340-Pivot irrigation system installed
Randel Farms-Indianola-$38,270-Convert diesel irrigation motors to electric, rebowl existing wells
Conrad's Auto Center, Inc-Kearney-$4,720-Install new heating/cooling and radiant heat system
McKean, Jerry-Kearney-$14,070-Convert natural gas irrigation motors to electric
Runge, Daniel-Kearney-$15,730-Convert gravity irrigation system to pivot, natural gas motor to electric
Morris Printing Group, Inc-Kearney-$9,810-Install DDC control system for HVAC equipment
Stengel, Dale-Kearney-$4,500-Convert diesel irrigation motor to electric
Martens, Stephen-Madrid-$5,810-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Cornelius, Dana-Madrid-$6,620-Convert diesel to electric irrigation well
Hagan, Ronald-Madrid-$3,980- Convert diesel to electric irrigation well
Palu Farms LTD-Madrid-$14,580-Install underground 3 phase line to electric irrigation, replace diesel motor with electric panel
Friehe, Ronald-McCook-$5,260-Convert to refurbished center pivot irrigation system
Snyder, Leland-McCook-$15,710-Convert gravity irrigation system to center pivot
G and A Farms-McCook-$12,500-Convert to center pivot irrigation, add underground electric wire
Albers, James-Minden-$2,250-Convert from propane to diesel irrigation engine
Madsen Family Limited Partnership-Minden-$30,530-Convert from gravity to center pivot irrigation
Petersen, Steven & Brian-Minden-$29,500-Convert to electric irrigation motors, electric drive center pivot system
Hansen, Harley-Moorefield-$12,500-Convert to pivot irrigation, diesel to electric motor, rebowl well
Smith, Kevin-Norman-$14,820-Convert electric irrigation and center pivot
Brosius, Mick-North Platte-$3,220-Convert from diesel to electric irrigation motor
Luther, Matthew-Overton-$4,440-Convert from propane to electric irrigation engines, recondition pumps
Heinrich, Paul-Paxton-$1,980-Convert diesel irrigation well to electric
Spurgin, Inc.-Paxton-$9,500-Replace diesel irrigation engines with electric motors
Olson, Brian-Pleasanton-$20,910-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot, diesel motor to electric
Hadwiger Ag Production, Inc-Riverdale-$22,780-Convert to electric irrigation motors
Rohrich, Bradley-Riverdale-$5,710-Convert diesel irrigation motor to electric; install pivot sprinkler package
O & O Farms Inc-Riverdale-$7,150-Replace diesel irrigation motors with electric
Twin Loups Quality Meats-St.Paul-$3,620-Install new refrigeration system condenser and evaporators
Stehno Farms, Inc.-Stratton-$4,260-Replace diesel irrigation well motor with electric
HV Farms, Inc.-Trenton-$15,090-Convert to center pivot, propane irrigation engine to electric
Choquette, Bradley-Upland-$2,580-Convert natural gas irrigation well to electric
Fulk, Bruce-Wallace-$4,210-Convert diesel irrigation well to electric
Reiss Farms, Inc.-Wilcox-$39,970-Convert irrigation wells from natural gas to electric motors
Adam, Fredrich-Wilcox-$8,540-Refurbish irrigation well

Northeast:

Krause Family Farms, Inc.-Brunswick-$14,787-Replace diesel irrigation motors with electric
Smith, Dean-Brunswick-$3,440-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
Nielsen, Timothy S.-Creighton-$13,476-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
Carpenter, Scott Joel-Creighton-$7,150-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
Fuchtman, Clifford-Creighton-$2,367-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Schacht, Wayne L.-Orchard-$3,367-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
Leifeld, James R.-Petersburg-$5,612-Improvements including insulated windows, doors, and ceiling
Brozek & Sons, Inc.-Plainview-$15,575-Replace diesel irrigation motors with electric motors
Mullins, James W.-Plainview-$5,445-Diesel irrigation motor efficiency improvement
Bergh, Garland-Plainview-$3,950-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electrical power unit
Demerath, Richard-Plainview-$17,345-Convert to electric irrigation motors, electric motor upgrades
Christiansen, Ronnie-Plainview-$3,265-Replace diesel irrigation motor with electric
Friedrich, Dave-Plainview-$6,812-Replace diesel motor with electric irrigation motor
Friedrich, Kent-Plainview-$4,725-Replace diesel motor with electric irrigation motor
Knuth, Claus-Royal-$11,195-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
G.W. Farms, Inc.-Royal-$6,978-Diesel to electric irrigation motor conversion
RGR Farms-Royal-$31,479-Replace diesel irrigation motors with electric
Northeast NE Biodiesel, LLC-Scribner-$500,000-Biodiesel production
Hillside Dehy, Inc.-Uehling-$49,797-Biosolids wood fuel burning system to dehydrate alfalfa
Vakoc, Kenneth W.-Verdigre-$7,500-Convert from diesel to electric irrigation power

Southeast:

Ackerson Farms, Inc.-Aurora-$2,630-Irrigation improvements
Danhauer, Michael-Aurora-$20,810-Irrigation improvements
Rolla-Rena, Inc.-Beatrice-$12,000-Replace rooftop, heating and A/C units, add two heat pumps
Robert A Esau & Son's Inc.-Beatrice-$9,380-Install irrigation pivot and electric motor
Nicholas W. Huston dba Huston Furniture Mart-Beatrice-$5,730-Corn furnace
Beatrice Bakery Company-Beatrice-$9,330-Install heat pumps and energy efficient windows
Esau, Donald-Beatrice-$29,580-Irrigation improvements
Veterinary Nutritional Services, P.C-Beatrice-$6,500-Heating/cooling; install insulation, water heater
Tesina, John-Bee-$2,530-Solar pump
Folts Farms Inc.-Benedict-$10,870-Convert irrigation from diesel to electric power
McClure Farms-Blue Springs-$2,180-Update hog finishing building ventilation curtains
L & R Farms Inc.-Brock-$12,430-Irrigation improvements
Bergmeier Farms, Inc.-Clatonia-$16,310-Pivot replacement
Niemeyer, David-Cortland-$2,550-Irrigation
Lowery, David Wendell-Davenport-$12,300-Pivot irrigation project
Svoboda, Thomas J.-David City-$3,000-Convert fuel burning engine to electric irrigation motor
Blobaum, Thomas Alan-Daykin-$5,980-Install energy efficient pump components, convert diesel irrigation system to electric
Ebke, Steve and Deborah-Daykin-$1,900-Irrigation improvements
Koch, Thomas and Fredrick-DeWitt-$12,270-Install center pivot
Holtmeier, Charles-DeWitt-$7,620-Convert from gravity to pivot irrigation
Wollenburg, Ron-DeWitt-$14,440-Center pivot irrigation system
Runty, Edward-DeWitt-$15,510-Center pivot irrigation system
Rahe, Roger-DeWitt-$10,050-Convert from flood irrigation to pivot
Holtmeier, James-DeWitt-$12,730-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot
Feaster Foods/Fairbury Operations-Fairbury-$71,020-Boiler replacement
Lipovsky, David J.-Fairfield-$15,820-Convert to low pressure irrigation pivot, low energy power unit
Kohmetscher, John-Fairfield-$4,490-Irrigation motor and add drop nozzles
Sailors and Sons Inc.-Falls City-$2,070-Heating Rosene
Machine Inc.-Firth-$5,280-High efficiency lights and heat pump HVAC
Troester Ag, Inc.-Hampton-$49,000-Convert fossil fuels to electric irrigation, gravity to low pressure sprinkler irrigation
Acton, Fredrick A.-Holmesville-$22,650-Replace irrigation equipment
Heidemann, Donald James- Jansen-$14,990-Low pressure pivot irrigation system
Danhauer, Todd-Marquette-$45,870-Irrigation project
Triple J &T Farms-Odell-$4,310-Replace irrigation power units
R+T Farms, Inc.-Phillips-$22,590-Convert from diesel to electric irrigation motors
James and Loretta Jan Goracke-Pickrell-$1,810-Convert propane irrigation system to electric
Gronewold, Ehme-Pickrell-$3,970-Install new irrigation diesel power unit, low pressure nozzles
Wendell and Alan Gronemeyer dba-Plymouth-$18,370-Irrigation improvements, pivot installation, convert from diesel to electric
Jody Rust Langer dba Total Elegance-Superior-$3,320-Improve insulation, windows, doors
Ideal Enterprises, Inc.-Superior-$45,950-Replace refrigeration and lighting
Rystrom, Michael-Stromsburg-$1,920-Irrigation improvements
Pickrel Inc.-York-$30,000-Irrigation pivot