2012 Farm Energy Audits through USDA NRCS
With America’s farmers continuing to face high energy costs, help is on the way in the form of Headquarters Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMPs), commonly called on-farm energy audits. Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding is available through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for farm energy audits and equipment upgrades. Farm energy audits can generally identify energy savings between 10% and 35% of total energy use, which enables farmers to take more control of their energy use and increase their energy independence.
Although the New Year has barely begun, producers must act quickly in order to secure their AgEMP for 2012. National deadlines for AgEMP application cutoff are February 3, March 30, and June 1, but state deadlines may vary. Farmers should call or visit their local NRCS office to verify application deadlines and apply for the AgEMP.
EnSave is the nation’s leading provider of farm energy audits and stands ready to provide AgEMPs to farmers throughout the United States. The firm is a registered Technical Service Provider for NRCS and has provided thousands of farm energy audits over its 20 year history.
“We commend NRCS for committing to energy efficiency,” says Craig Metz, EnSave’s Chief Executive Officer. EnSave provides AgEMPs by working with its national network of local data collectors to conduct the on-farm audits.
“These local resources live within the region and often personally know many of the farmers. Our data collectors visit the farms to collect the energy use data, and our engineers analyze the information. Our engineers then develop recommendations and provide them to the farmer in a written report,” says Metz.
The AgEMP includes a review of current energy use for all fuels, specific recommendations for energy efficiency, and payback periods for recommended equipment. The AgEMP can also be used to access additional NRCS funding for implementation of energy efficient equipment. Interested producers can call EnSave at (800) 732-1399 to learn more about the process or contact their local NRCS office to apply for an AgEMP.
About EnSave:
EnSave is the leading agricultural energy efficiency consulting firm in the United States. They help their clients achieve energy efficiency goals while also helping farmers save energy and reduce their environmental impact. The inspiration for their work is the hardworking men and women on the farm, and they strive to provide solutions that strengthen the farm and provide long-term viability.
Their passion is helping American agriculture become more sustainable and profitable through energy efficiency and resource conservation.
