Eau Galle Cheese Factory Makes Upgrades to Save Energy. Money
Xcel Energy
Durand – Eau Galle Cheese Factory has been honored with an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from Focus on Energy for the cheesemaker’s commitment to energy efficiency.
“It’s my honor to present this Energy Efficiency Excellence Award for 2017 to Eau Galle Cheese Factory for their outstanding work and commitment to energy efficiency,” Focus on Energy External Relations Manager Matt Bromley told a small group at the award ceremony Wednesday at the company’s factory and gift shop in Durand.
The Eau Galle Cheese Factory, founded in 1945, is a family business in Durand has worked with Focus on Energy for years to take advantage of incentives that save energy and money.
“The incentives help to pay for the projects. And Focus on Energy also helps decide what projects we’re going to do, where the savings are,” said Eau Galle Cheese Factory Maintenance Supervisor Dan Sabelko. “We definitely benefit from the new equipment, along with the energy savings. So it’s a win-win for us.”
In 2017 alone, the company worked with Focus on Energy on at least six projects that will save them more than $20,000 a year in energy costs. Because of these upgrades, the company has earned an incentive of more than $9,000 from Focus on Energy.
“They’re a small customer so they really appreciate the information and incentives available from Focus on Energy,” said Energy Advisor Joleen Jensen, who nominated the business.
Focus on Energy will give Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards to a total of 16 Wisconsin businesses, schools and institutions this summer.
A recent evaluation report found that every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs generates more than $5 in economic benefits for the state.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
About Eau Galle Cheese Factory
Leo Bulman, Founder, bought the shuttered cheese plant in Eau Galle and reopened it as the Eau Galle Cheese Factory in 1945. In 1986, the business moved to a new state-of-the-art facility two miles north of Durand but kept the Eau Galle name. The company’s hard Italian cheeses have won many national awards. The Buhlman family continues to operate the Eau Galle Cheese Factory.
