State Energy Offices/State Agencies
New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
Designed and delivered a program to offer incentives on variable speed drives to New York farmers. Enrolled 573 farmers in the program from 1999-2003, saving over 10 million kWh. In 2004-2005, offered energy audits and equipment incentives through the Montgomery/Schenectady County Dairy Development Energy Program. Currently, we are working with NYSERDA in the management of the Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office
Designed and delivered a program to offer free energy audits and technical assistance to Texas agricultural producers. In addition to providing four informational workshops and four data collector trainings, we provided 68 farm energy audits and 32 technical assistance reports over the one-year program period.
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Conducted a pilot farm energy audit program for Minnesota farmers. This small audit program was used to gauge the opportunity for full-scale farm energy programs in the state.
California Public Utilities Commission
Designed and delivered a program to offer incentives on variable speed drives to dairy customers of two California utilities.
Maryland Energy Administration
Worked with the Maryland Energy Administration to deliver the Maryland Statewide Farm Energy Audit Program. Other program partners included the Maryland Eastern Shore Resource Conservation & Development Council, Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Rural Development, the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Washington County Soil Conservation District, and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. The program began as a pilot program in 2006, delivering 25 energy audits to farmers on Maryland’s eastern shore. The program then expanded to target the dairy-intensive counties of Western Maryland and added equipment incentives to the program design. In 2009, the program extended eligibility to all farmers in the state, expanded its incentives, and offered technical assistance reports in addition to farm energy audits. In 2010, the program was one of five winners of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s States Stepping Forward Project, recognizing exemplary state-run energy efficiency programs. Since 2013 EnSave has worked with the Maryland Energy Administration to Deliver the Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program. Current program information can be found here: http://www.ensave.com/agricultural/mathias-agriculture-energy-efficiency-md/
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Operated the Minnesota Farm Energy Conservation Improvement Program for customers of Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Alliant Energy – Interstate Power and Light Co. The program offered the utilities’ farm customers farm energy audits and cash incentives on a range of energy efficiency measures.
Michigan Public Utilities Commission
Designed and delivered a program to offer incentives on variable speed drives to Michigan dairy farms.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Designed and delivered a program to offer incentives on variable speed drives to Pennsylvania dairies. Also educated dairies about mercury disposal on the farm.
Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency (NY)
EnSave is working with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to deliver the Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency Program for New York farmers affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
The program provides funding for energy-efficient repair and replacement of damaged electric and natural gas systems and equipment, such as milk processing, cooling, heating, and other farm systems. Assistance is available for equipment or systems purchased on or after August 28, 2011 for sites affected by Hurricane Irene, or September 4, 2011 for sites affected by Tropical Storm Lee.
Funding will be provided at 100 percent of eligible costs minus other aid or insurance proceeds received with a maximum assistance amount of $250,000 per farm.
EnSave is working closely with NYSERDA, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, and other members of the agricultural community to administer the program. EnSave will assist farmers with the application process and work with them to provide documentation necessary to secure their funding.
While the application deadline closed on April 30, 2012, EnSave is actively working with over 60 farmers to approve projects, document installations, and facilitate delivery of over $3.3 million in incentives to farmers.