Wisconsin Public Service and Focus on Energy, the statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, presented checks Jan. 8 to Kewaunee County, city of Kewaunee, and Kewaunee School District for implementing energy efficiency upgrades.

All three entities were awarded $25,000 grants from WPS to spend on energy efficiency upgrades. In addition to the grants, all qualifying efficiency upgrades implemented in 2013 were awarded Focus on Energy incentives and additional bonus incentives from WPS.

Kewaunee County implemented lighting upgrades at all highway department facilities and upgraded electric motors at the asphalt plant. These projects amounted to an annual savings of 158,000 kilowatt hours and 8,350 therms, resulting in an estimated savings of $22,000 annually on their utility bills. $75,085 in incentives were provided by Focus on Energy and WPS.

The city of Kewaunee implemented lighting upgrades at nearly all of their facilities, installed a new high efficiency pumping system for the municipal water supply, and upgraded the furnaces at City Hall. These projects amounted to an annual savings of 140,600 kilowatt hours and 226 therms, resulting in an estimated savings of $13,900 annually on their utility bills. $54,284 in incentives were provided by Focus on Energy and WPS.

Kewaunee School District implemented various lighting upgrades at the elementary, middle, and high schools. These upgrades amounted to an annual savings of 130,000 kilowatt hours, resulting in an estimated savings of $13,000 annually on their utility bills. $51,230 in incentives were provided by Focus on Energy and WPS.

In total, Kewaunee County, city, and School District are expected to save almost 430,000 kilowatt hours and 8,500 therms annually — enough energy to power 52 average Wisconsin homes for one year.

“The staff at the county, city, and school district were motivated to get projects done and take full advantage of the incentives available to them. These projects would have never been completed without their coordinated efforts,” said Joe Kottwitz, Energy Advisor at Focus on Energy.

Energy savings and improved lighting performance have already been noted by Jim Fencl, shop superintendent at the Kewaunee County Highway Department.

“It’s less time consuming and safer turning on the lights, whether it’s for daily operations or the snow plow drivers coming in to plow snow at midnight. The old lights had a 10-minute warm up when starting them.” Fencl said. “The VFDs and burner upgrades at the hot mix plant will make asphalt production more energy-efficient and cost-effective.”

Not only do these upgrades save energy and money, but they are also environmentally friendly. The annual environmental benefits are equivalent to offsetting 992 barrels of oil from being burned — eliminating more than 827,520 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

“WPS has worked with the county, city and school district for years helping to identify energy saving projects. The awarding of these grants has made it possible for these projects to be completed.” said Mike Valleskey, a WPS account representative.

Focus on Energy can help businesses and residents across the state identify and evaluate energy-saving opportunities, provide specific recommendations, develop energy management plans, and arrange technical training opportunities about energy conservation. For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.