Rhinelander's paper mill is to receive $2 million federal energy grant

Gov. Jim Doyle announced today more than $14.5 million in funding to nine industrial companies in Wisconsin, including nearly $2 million for Wausau Paper’s Rhinelander mill, to help complete energy efficiency projects and create and retain more than 400 jobs in the state.

Wausau Paper's Mosinee mill will receive a little over $700,000, the announcement said.

“Wisconsin has a tremendous opportunity to be one of the greenest manufacturing states in the country,” Doyle said. “With this funding, we will be able to help these companies become more energy efficient, so they can retain their competitive edge, reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, and create good-paying jobs to support Wisconsin families.”

Doyle said a major goal is for the state to generate 25 percent of electricity and 25 percent of transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025..

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing the awards under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $14.5 million in funding will be administered through Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

(Officials at Rhinelander's paper mill could not be reached for comment on today's announcement.)

Doyle said the projects will save an estimated 1.21 trillion Btus annually – enough energy to power 15,000 Wisconsin homes for a year, increasing overall energy efficiency by 45 percent and helping retain and create more than 400 jobs in Wisconsin. According to the Department of Energy, the industrial sector uses more than 30 percent of U.S. energy and is responsible for nearly 30 percent of U.S. carbon emissions.

The Governor made the announcement at the Kohler Company in Kohler, which is receiving more than $1.7 million in DOE funding. The following Wisconsin industrial companies will receive awards:

Briggs and Stratton Corporation of Wauwatosa – $1,290,585

Didion Milling, Inc. of Cambria – $5,593,700

Domtar Paper Company, LLC of Rothschild – $870,500

Kohler Company of Kohler – $1,717,666

NewPage Wisconsin System, Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids – $495,500

Quad/Graphics, Inc. of Sussex – $868,466

Thilmany Paper of Kaukauna – $1,071,100

Wausau Paper Specialty Products, LLC of Mosinee – $706,968

Wausau Paper Specialty Products, LLC of Rhinelander – $1,973,900

For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.