Energy projects rev up in Nebraska

"USDA Rural Development in Nebraska continues to be a lead state in promoting and receiving Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applications for guaranteed loans. Through our positive working relationships with Nebraska lenders, we were able to more than double the energy dollars, from $2,265,829 in the 2008 fiscal year to $5,599,799 in Fiscal Year 2009," said Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development. "I am also pleased that eligible Nebraska entities have taken advantage of the newly funded Feasibility Study and Energy Audit/Renewable Energy Development Assistance program opportunities."

The REAP program provides opportunities for farmers and rural small business owners to install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements, as well explore the feasibility of implementing renewable energy projects. Additional information on the Rural Energy for America Program may be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/Energy_energy_hom...

The most recent awards went to 68 Nebraska energy efficiency improvement projects, listed below by county. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the agreement.

Antelope

Galen Furstenau-Tilden-$3,904 grant-Energy efficiency improvements to a farm shop including insulation and a lighting package.

Box Butte

VIP Partnership-Alliance-$3,292 grant-Heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and walk-in cooler upgrade.

J and N Carquest Auto Parts-Alliance-$3,646 grant-Upgrade windows and door.

MJLC LLC-Alliance-$15,327 grant-Install geothermal commercial HVAC system.

Joseph Schekall-Hemingford-$20,000 grant-Install frequency drive motors to increase the energy efficiency of three potato facilities.

Brown

Gary Kelly-Ainsworth-$8,895 grant and $17,790 loan-Convert diesel irrigation engine to electric motor.

Lynn Robertson, dba Pine Creek Crossing-Long Pine-$8,227 grant-Replace front windows/door and the roof.

Buffalo

Michael and Laurie Hendrickson-Kearney-$4,423 grant-Replace HVAC and freezer at the Cellar Bar and Grill.

Marshall Engines, Inc.-Kearney-$10,347 grant and $20,000 loan-Install energy efficient lighting.

Cedar

Laurel Welding-Laurel-$1,849 grant-Replace overhead door, windows, and lighting to shop building

Cherry

Pit Stall Inc.-Valentine-$2,894 grant-Install four energy efficient commercial garage doors.

Danny Publow, dba H&R Block-Valentine-$2,994 grant-Replace windows and siding.

Clay

Allan Brodrick-Fairfield-$11,259 grant-Convert gravity to center pivot irrigation.

Dawson

Irvin Hess-Farnam-$2,552 grant-Energy efficiency improvements to upgrade a stock well.

Dodge

Patrick Ortmeier-Scribner-$20,000 grant-Replace inefficient grain dryer.

Gage

Odell Market-Odell-$8,535 grant-Replace heating unit, lighting, two coolers and a door.

Rosene Machine Inc.-Firth-$1,673 grant-Install high efficiency mist and smoke removal system on three lathing machines to keep heated and conditioned air inside the building and to bring in unfiltrated outside air.

Garden

Blue Creek Rentals-Lewellen-$6,604 grant-Ceiling insulation and window/door replacement.

Gosper

D. McGee Inc.-Lexington-$20,000 grant-Convert gravity irrigation to refurbished pivot, rebowl well, and install underground pipe and wiring.

Greeley

G&L Farms Inc.-Greeley-$16,658 grant-Convert three diesel engines to electric motors, rebowl two wells, and install associated underground wire.

Dennis Winter-Scotia-$5,815 grant-Convert diesel engine to electric motor, refurbish the well and install associated underground wire.

Hall

Dibbern-Hinkson Irrigation Partnership-Wood River-$39,662 grant and $79,323 loan-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot. Convert propane engine to electric motor. Upgrade existing electric motor and install variable frequency drive. Rebowl two wells. Fund associated underground pipe and wiring.

D&S Rainforth, LLC-Doniphan-$24,650 grant and $49,300 loan-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot.

Jerry Dibbern-Wood River-$26,989 grant and $53,978 loan-Convert gravity irrigation to refurbished pivot. Convert natural gas engine to electric motor and upgrade an electric motor. Rebowl two wells and install associated underground pipe and wiring.

Donald Haller-Wood River-$20,000 grant-Convert four diesel and natural gas engines to four electric motors. Install variable frequency drive on existing electric motor. Rebowl a well, and fund associated underground wiring.

Hamilton

Pleasant Hill Farms dba Pleasant Hill Grain-Aurora-$11,324 grant-Energy efficiency improvements including wall insulation and energy efficient lighting.

Harlan

Kevin Heft-Alma-$11,278 grant-Convert gravity to refurbished pivot and install underground pipe. Remove trees and dirt work.

Woollen Farms LTD-Alma-$10,461 grant-Convert 28 acres of gravity irrigation to sub-surface drip irrigation.

Hitchcock

Black Hawk Land & Cattle-Culbertson-$19,900 grant-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot.

Holt

H Corporation-Page-$7,700 grant-Replace inefficient diesel irrigation engine with an efficient diesel engine.

Donald Holtgrew-Atkinson-$5,835 grant and $11,670 loan-Replace inefficient diesel irrigation engine with an efficient diesel engine.

Kirk Shane-Atkinson-$11,219 grant and $22,438 loan-Replace inefficient diesel irrigation engine with an efficient diesel engine.

Bartak Glass O'Neill, Inc.-O'Neill-$3,368 grant-Replace front windows/door and overhead garage door.

Garden Fresh Vegetables, LLC-O'Neill-$77,500 grant and $155,000 loan-Energy efficiency improvements to hydroponic tomato production facility including boiler replacement and shade installation.

Lech's Super Saver, Inc.-Atkinson-$16,982 grant-Energy efficiency improvements including replacement coolers and meat freezer.

Maurice Kersenbrock dba MJ Kersenbrock, DDS-O'Neill-$8,340 grant-Install geothermal unit into new dentist building.

Nor-Mar, Inc.-O'Neill-$39,499 grant and $78,998 loan-Replace inefficient diesel irrigation engine with an efficient diesel engine.

Omega Land Company-Atkinson-$84,583 grant and $169,167 loan-Replace inefficient grain dryer.

Howard

Boehle Land & Cattle Co.-St. Libory-$4,910 grant-Convert diesel engine to electric motor, refurbish the well, convert pivot to operate on electricity.

Kearney

L&V Stadler, Inc.-Minden-$8,283 grant-Convert natural gas engine to electric motor, rebowl the well, and install underground wire.

Madsen Family Limited Partnership-Minden-$25,669 grant and $51,157 loan-Replace inefficient center pivot and abandon and replace an inefficient well.

Keith

Doug Fuller-Ogallala-$4,230 grant-Replace three HVAC units in a commercial property.

JP Johnson-Ogallala-$6,225 grant-Energy efficiency improvements including lighting, doors, and roof insulation.

Kimball

Ed Kruse-Kimball-$20,000 grant-Upgrade inefficient pivot and convert another gravity system to pivot irrigation.

Lincoln

KJ's Boots & Western Wear Inc.-Hershey-$2,071 grant-Replace three HVAC systems in commercial property.

Madison

Karl Reeder D/B/A Reeder Originals-Norfolk-$4,150 grant-Energy efficiency improvements including windows, overhead door and insulation.

Merrick

Gerald L. Beck-Central City-$20,000 grant-Convert gravity irrigation to center pivot.

Nuckolls

Main Street Floral, LLC-Superior-$5,294 grant-Install energy efficient windows, doors and lighting.

Phelps

Strategic Community Investment Group-Holdrege-$20,000 grant-Energy efficiency improvements to roof, insulation, stucco siding and to replace HVAC.

Winz Wagon Wheel Ranch, Inc.-Holdrege-$18,950 grant and $37,900 loan-Add swing span to existing pivot to convert gravity corners to pivot irrigation. Convert natural gas engine to electric motor, rebowl the well, and install associated underground wire.

WJD Farms Inc.-Bertrand-$29,682 grant and $59,000 loan-Convert diesel engine to electric motor, gravity irrigation to center pivot, refurbish the well, and install associated underground pipe and wiring.

Red Willow

C & D Cappel Farms, LLC-McCook-$20,000 grant-Convert gravity irrigation to sub-surface drip irrigation.

Rodney Cappel Inc.-McCook-$20,000 grant-Convert gravity irrigation to sub-surface drip irrigation.

Richardson

David Keithley-Falls City-$4,260 grant-Install geothermal heating system in existing building.

Saline

Wayne Brinkmeyer-DeWitt-$12,000 grant-Replace existing high pressure center pivot and gated pipe irrigation system with two low pressure center pivots.

Double B Bar and Grill, LLC-Tobias-$3,121 grant-Energy efficiency improvements including tuckpointing, lighting and refrigeration.

Saunders

Colby Creek Stables, Inc.-Ithaca-$20,000 grant-Install a small wind turbine and small solar panels for energy replacement on an equine boarding and training facility.

Scotts Bluff

Barbara Beutler-Minatare-$3,661 grant-Upgrade windows and door.

WBG, LLC-Gering-$9,274 grant-Replace roof and windows. Install insulation and ductwork.

Sheridan

Jared Roffers-Rushville-$11,821 grant-Convert side roll irrigation system to center pivot.

LYK Consulting, LLC-Omaha-$20,000 grant-Install a 25KW wind turbine to offset minimal irrigation load and sell the remainder of energy produced into the grid.

Greg Nielsen-Gordon-$3,957 grant-Batch biodiesel production system to supply farm with its fuel needs.

Y7, LLC-Hay Springs-$20,000 grant-Install a 25KW wind turbine to offset minimal irrigation load and sell the remainder of energy produced into the grid.

Sherman

Daniel Stanczyk-Ashton-$13,479 grant-Convert three diesel engines to electric motors and fund associated underground wiring.

T&S Acres, Inc.-Ashton-$16,180 grant-Convert two diesel engines to electric motors, rebowl two wells and install underground pipe and wiring.

Valley

Stowell Family Trust-Ord-$8,166 grant-Convert natural gas engine to electric motor, rebowl well, renozzle the pivot, and install underground wiring.

York

MWB Broadcasting, LLC-York-$5,651 grant-Replace HVAC system.

Nebraska Computer Service-York-$2,448 grant-Replace HVAC, lights and add insulation.

For additional information on the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program, contact Deb Yocum, debra.yocum@ne.usda.gov; (402) 437-5554. Visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/.