New ERA Award for Dairyland Power Cooperative Will Bring Cheaper Bills, Better Health, and Renewable Energy to Rural Wisconsin
For Immediate Release
Sepember 5, 2024
Laurie Lane: 608.215.0112
laura@healthyclimatewi.org
New ERA Award for Dairyland Power Cooperative Will Bring Cheaper Bills, Better Health, and Renewable Energy to Rural Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin – President Biden announced today that Dairyland Power Cooperative will receive nearly $573 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. This funding will support Dairyland’s procurement of 1,080 megawatts of clean energy through power purchase agreements for four solar and four wind installations across rural Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. This award will drive approximately $2.1 billion in clean energy investments throughout the region and is projected to eliminate 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Beyond the environmental benefits, this award will lower bills, bring significant health benefits to rural families, and improve communities’ extreme weather resilience. Dairyland’s customers are expected to see their electric rates decrease by an estimated 42% over the next 10 years, compared to what rates would have been without this funding.
By shifting from fossil fuels, including coal and methane gas, to renewable energy, these projects will reduce air pollution, leading to cleaner air and improved health outcomes for residents. Cleaner air will help reduce rates of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions such as asthma and improve overall public health, especially for children, adults over 65, and vulnerable populations. Less climate pollution is also important for reducing extreme weather events that destroy critical infrastructure and harm public health.
“As a nurse, I applaud Dairyland Power for its commendable work. The New ERA funding will help Dairyland initiate a crucial shift toward renewable energy sources, thus creating a healthier Wisconsin for all. However, while this transition is a significant achievement, continued efforts are essential to fully realize a sustainable energy future and meet our long-term environmental and health goals,” said Cameron Kiersch, DNP.
“We hope this funding signals that both Dairyland and the USDA are ready to move away from investing in and subsidizing outdated fossil fuel proposals that harm community health,” stated Abby Novinska-Lois, the executive director of Healthy Climate Wisconsin. “Renewable energy is the path forward. It immediately improves lives through cleaner air and more affordable bills, bringing prosperity and better health to rural Wisconsinites.”
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About Healthy Climate Wisconsin:
Healthy Climate Wisconsin is an organization led by nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, and public health leaders across Wisconsin. Healthy Climate Wisconsin protects the health and quality of life of patients and communities by advancing climate and health equity. Every Wisconsinite, regardless of race, income, gender, or ability, should have clean air, safe water, and a stable climate to live a vibrant, healthy life.
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Laura Lane
Communications Coordinator