Statewide group to discuss farm energy efficiency, renewable energy September 17

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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The statewide Farm Energy Working Group will meet Friday, September 17, at Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC) near Kalona from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to discuss on-farm energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

The working group, focused on farm energy conservation and renewable energy generation at the farm level, is facilitated by the UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education and funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Members include farmers from small to mid-sized farming operations and representatives from Iowa utilities, farm organizations, extension service, policy organizations, universities, USDA Rural Conservation & Development, renewable energy organizations, and others.

Participants will hear from Warren McKenna, FEC general manager, about that utility's renewable energy rebates and tour a few sites. McKenna says FEC members are eligible to receive rebates up to $1,000 per kW with a maximum rebate of $5,000 per member site. “Farmers Electric will purchase the output of qualifying photovoltaic (PV) and small wind systems at $0.20 per kilowatt hour,” he explains. Systems must be a minimum of 500 W and no larger than 10 kW.

Eileen Parker, Alliant Energy product manager, will provide information on Alliant's Efficiency First Renewable Rewards program for farms. “Farmers who are thinking about generating renewable power to offset their farm operation’s electrical usage will want to learn more about Alliant's Cash-Back Rewards available on new renewable generation systems including wind, solar photovoltaic and anaerobic digesters,” Parker says.
 

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/09-03-2010/statewide-group-discuss-farm-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy-september-17 on 01/21/2013