Four agribusinesses honored with Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Management

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:

MADISON, Wis. (December 30, 2010) – Floral Plant Growers, LLC, McMillan Farms, Peterson's Dairy LLC, and Rosendale Dairy were recently honored for earning the prestigious Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Management. This award recognizes businesses dedicated to adopting energy-efficient and sustainable practices in Wisconsin.

With the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, in partnership with Alliant Energy, Marshfield Utilities, Oconto Electric Cooperative, We Energies, and Wisconsin Public Service, these four Wisconsin agribusinesses launched aggressive energy-saving efforts and continue to investigate new technologies and find more ways to save energy throughout their businesses.

Since 2008, Floral Plant Growers, LLC of Denmark, Wis. has saved more than 144,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 211,000 therms of natural gas annually. To reduce energy use in its greenhouses, Floral Plant Growers, LLC installed power-vented unit heaters and replaced double poly film roof glazing with double infrared (IR) poly film; upgraded to energy-efficient lighting; and installed occupancy sensors. Floral Plant Growers LLC is also keeping up with preventive maintenance, utilizing thermal blankets, and reducing air infiltration. These efforts add up to $240,000 in annual energy cost savings.

“Energy is a significant cost driver at Floral Plant Growers, LLC so finding ways to reduce natural gas and electricity costs is just one way we are working to become a more sustainable company while ensuring we are here for our customers for many years to come,” said Scott Lueder, Floral Plant Growers, LLC president.