U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar announce nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota.

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota. The $15.6 million investment will save farms and rural small businesses nearly $18.4 million on their energy bills per year while simultaneously reducing harmful carbon emissions.

“The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits, including small towns and rural communities. That’s one reason why projects funded by the Rural Energy for America Program are so important. These investments will help farmers and business owners save money and improve their bottom lines while reducing harmful carbon emissions.”

“Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.”

This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 380 clean energy projects on farms and in rural communities thanks to the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). Senator Smith championed and strengthened REAP in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.

The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make their operations more energy efficient. Example projects include installing energy efficient grain dryers, LED lighting and heat mats for livestock, solar panels, or energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

Total Investment: $15,629,305
Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 170,433,830 kilowatt hours per year, enough to power 15,727 homes
Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $18,414,061 per year
The full list of projects from this announcement, broken down by county, can be found here. Projects from the area are listed below:

Good Thunder — $24,990 to purchase and install a 19.4-kilowatt solar array for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $3,762 annually as well as energy savings of 28,134 kilowatt hours annually.

— $44,200 to purchase and install a 43 kW solar array for an automotive repair business. The project is expected to generate savings of $7,764 annually as well as energy savings of 59,090 kilowatt hours annually.

Frost — $25,500 to purchase and install a 20.4 kW solar array for a construction company. The project is expected to generate savings of $3,693 annually as well as energy savings of 28,104 kilowatt hours annually.

Gibbon — $150,625 to purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $17,905 annually as well as energy savings of 93,051 kilowatt hours annually.

Hanska — $73,655 to purchase and install a 64.8 kW solar array for a hog farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $7,719 annually as well as energy savings of 89,567 kilowatt hours annually.

Mapleton — $300,782 to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $29,177 annually as well as energy savings of 410,887 kilowatt hours annually.

— $500,000 to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $10,942 annually as well as energy savings of 449,783 kilowatt hours annually.

Minnesota Lake, Blue Earth and Wells — $432,509 to purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for three farm locations. The project is expected to generate savings of $49,667 annually as well as energy savings of 270,366 kilowatt hours annually.

Minnesota Lake — $125,470 to purchase and install a 50-kilowatt solar array for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $12,821 annually as well as energy savings of 91,586 kilowatt hours annually.

Madelia — $20,000 to purchase and install a 49.5 kW solar array for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $11,859 annually as well as energy savings of 63,235 kilowatt hours annually.

New Richland — $135,393 to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $8,668 annually as well as energy savings of 131,223 kilowatt hours annually.

Springfield — $92,975 to purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a hog farm. The project is expected to generate savings of $8,526 annually as well as energy savings of 56,650 kilowatt hours annually.

Waseca — $130,000 to purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a swine production operation. The project is expected to generate savings of $26,521 annually as well as energy savings of 93,301 kilowatt hours annually.

Winthrop — $1,000,000 to purchase and install a combined heat and power system for a dry-mill ethanol plant. The project is expected to generate savings of $16,711,494 annually as well as energy savings of 153,224,030 kilowatt hours annually.