New Lights Yield Savings for Wolf Valley Seeds

ANTIGO – A Langlade County agribusiness has found energy and cost savings thanks to Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program.

Wolf River Valley Seeds sells a full suite of seeds (corn, soybean, oat, and forage peas) and products to farmers nationwide, including northeast Wisconsin and locations in Antigo and White Lake.

Outdated lighting fixtures in its warehouse and offices in Antigo were inefficient, made an annoying buzzing noise, and were slow to illuminate to full brightness in cold weather.

Bauer Electric of Waupaca, which is part of Focus on Energy’s network of trade allies, first informed Wolf River Valley Seeds of financial incentives they would qualify for.

Focus on Energy’s Small Business Incentive Program provided technical assistance and a $3,290 financial incentive for the lighting upgrades, which quickened the return on investment.

"Anytime we can lower our inputs, we pass along to the end user,” said Joe Hoffman, Wolf River Valley Seeds Sales Manager. “With today’s grain markets they need all the help they can get.”

Bauer Electric completed the switch to LED (light emitting diode) technology in December. The project is expected to save $1,675 in energy costs and 15,214 kilowatt hours of electricity this year.

By partnering with 108 electric and natural gas utilities, Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Wolf River Valley Seeds’ electric and natural gas needs are serviced by Wisconsin Public Service.

Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement project that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy usage, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.

Over a recent two-year period (2015 and 2016) Focus on Energy invested more than $170 million in incentives and technical assistance for Wisconsin businesses and residents. To learn how Focus on Energy can power your profitability, visit www.focusonenergy.com.

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 www.focusonenergy.com.