The Village of Trempealeau, Wisconsin, has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission through the Rural Energy Startup Program.
This funding will support a comprehensive energy audit of all municipal and utility buildings, including the wastewater treatment plant and water well house and treatment facility.
The project will identify energy-saving opportunities and provide a data-driven plan for building upgrades that reduce operating costs, improve performance, and lower emissions.
Activities will follow the U.S. Department of Energy’s Blueprint 2A guidelines to ensure a structured and strategic approach.
The audit also advances recommendations from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and reflects priorities outlined in the Village’s Water and Sewer Master Plan, both of which call for energy assessments to strengthen long-term operational efficiency.
“Lowering energy use across our municipal facilities directly reduces operating costs for both the Village and our water and sewer utilities,” said Isaac Pooler, Village Administrator & Finance Director. “Those savings can be redirected to other community priorities.”
Key objectives of the project include:
• Establishing a baseline of energy use across municipal and utility buildings.
• Identifying and prioritizing cost-effective efficiency upgrades.
• Reducing energy consumption and lowering long-term utility expenses.
The Village will soon begin a competitive procurement process to hire a qualified consultant to conduct the energy audits.
The process will follow the standards set forth by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget as well as applicable State of Wisconsin procurement guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness, and compliance.
Findings from the audit will guide future building upgrades and long-term energy-efficiency investments.
