KLGR-area businesses receive Rural Energy for American grants

Several KLGR-area businesses will be receiving Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants, the USDA announced Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $6,539,447 million in renewable energy projects across the state, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

KLGR-area grants recipients include:

• Granite Falls Energy LLC in Granite Falls will use a $1,000,000 grant to install a Mechanical Vapor Recompression system. The project, which will increase ethanol production by up to 8,300,000 gallons a year, is expected to save the business $29,818,530 per year and 63,539 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 58 homes.
• Jeff Remiger in Hanley Falls will use a $38,000 grant to install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project will save the farming operation $4,217 per year and will replace 53,123 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes.
• Steffel Pork LLC in Olivia will use a $94,320 grant to install a 25 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine. This project is expected to save the business $9,647 per year and will replace 98,750 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power nine homes.

The department is awarding $157 million for 675 projects in 42 states.