USDA awards $14 million in Wisconsin biofuel and clean-energy grants

Gas stations, a cheesmaker and seed supplier among USDA grant recipients

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced more than $14 million in Wisconsin grants to expand access to clean energy and increase the availability of biofuels.

The grants have been awarded to 42 projects in 27 counties.

JT Petroleum, a Mequon firm which owns and operates fueling stations, will use a $5 million grant to expand sales of renewable fuels such as E15 gasoline. Among other work, the company will install 19 ethanol storage tanks and 15 biodiesel tanks at stations in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.

The project is expected to increase the amount of biofuel JT Petroleum sells by more than 6 million gallons a year.

Rosewood dairy, the maker of Renard’s cheese in Algoma, will receive $500,000 to install energy efficient lighting. The project is expected to save the company more than $18,000 a year, or around 60% of its energy use.

GRO Alliance, a seed supplier in Grant County, will use a $438,500 grant to install a roof-mounted solar electric array, saving the company around $45,000 a year in energy costs.