[Wisconsin wasn't one of the featured states in the recent National Governors Association report on state actions promoting alternative energy, but it should certainly be featured in the next one. In addition to this fund, there's also been a rise in wind energy installations in the state, which have also been a boon for farmers.
EXCERPT: read the whole article here. -Ed.]

State to start issuing energy grants, loans
$15 million a year available from new fund
By Rick Barrett

"The state [of Wisconsin] expects to award about $15 million per year for 10 years from the newly created Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund ... The money will be used to support research and development of renewable fuels and encourage businesses to adopt new technologies that save energy and use renewable energy."

"Doyle laid out a long-term strategy that he hopes will make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy. He repeated his call for the state to generate 25% of its electricity and motor fuels from renewable resources by 2025."

"In 2007, the University of Wisconsin-Madison received $125 million to establish the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Wisconsin is the only Midwestern state to host one of the centers, and the Midwest is pivotal because it's home to so much biomaterial that could be used to make ethanol."

"Ethanol from corn is a starting point, [Gov. Jim] Doyle said, adding that he wants to keep the focus on developing all types of renewable fuels."

For more information on the Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund, go to http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-WEIF.html.

Photo credit: Paul Hedges