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NEWS RELEASE

Consumers Energy
Jacob Kvinlaug 641-485-0109
Brian Heithoff 641-752-1593


Release Date: Immediate - Aug 28, 2003

Consumers Energy Receives USDA Grant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the selection of 113 applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement grants in 24 states totaling $21,207.233, including over $1.25 million for nine recipients from Iowa. Consumers Energy, an energy distribution and energy solutions cooperative headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, was one of the recipients receiving two grants totaling $119,015. The grant program is part of the Bush Administration’s overall effort to increase America’s energy independence through the development of renewable energy resources as well as improving efficiency of existing buildings.

Consumers Energy recently purchased property that was originally the office and shipping terminal site of Midland Transportation, Inc. It is located at 2075 Marshalltown Blvd., Marshalltown, Iowa. The cooperative’s intent is to utilize the existing structures for its new headquarters facility, making modifications that incorporate state of the art energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy systems. These systems will include wind generation, photovoltaics, geothermal HVAC, daylighting, and various fuel cell prototypes. Construction at the new facility is expected to begin in the fall of this year.

Due to the proximity of the facility to Highways 30 & 330 and surrounding Central Iowa communities, one of the key design criteria will be to create a real-time education and demonstration area within the office building to demonstrate the effectiveness of the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to school classes and the general public. It is the belief of Consumers Energy that the more people see these technologies working, the more likely they are to invest in them. “Since Iowa imports over 95% of its energy from out of state, it is critical that viable and effective alternative energy sources be utilized as soon as is possible,” said Jacob Kvinlaug, USDA Grant Project Manager/Account Executive of Consumers Energy.

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Applicants for the funding include agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents and have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. 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 were made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements.

Consumers Energy is a local, member-owned energy delivery and energy management cooperative that serves over 4900 members located in Marshalltown, Iowa, with an outpost in Nevada, Iowa. The cooperative provides electricity, natural gas, and energy solutions to members and customers in five counties in Central Iowa – Marshall, Tama, Story, Jasper, and Polk.