United States Senator Joni Ernst and Blue Horizon Energy invite the public to attend the groundbreaking of an upcoming solar installation at the Marcus Meriden Cleghorn Remsen Union High School in Marcus, IA and to tour the nearby solar installations on the Dorr Farm.
The MMCRU High School project is estimated to eliminate the equivalent of 430 tons of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually and to contribute more than $700,000 in energy savings to the school’s budget over the project’s useful life.
After the MMCRU High School groundbreaking, Philip and Kurt Dorr are opening the gates of their farm to the Senator and visitors. The farm recently became 100% solar-powered across its six facilities and showcases the long-term investment local farmers are making in clean energy to improve energy efficiency and be more environmentally friendly.
Blue Horizon Energy developed and installed the Dorr projects and the MMCRU project. With over a decade of experience, Blue Horizon Energy has helped hundreds of agri-businesses, commercial businesses, and municipalities across the Upper Midwest take advantage of long-term electricity savings and environmental impact through solar energy.
At the event, Blue Horizon Energy is also launching the Bright Future Solar For Schools Program. This program kicks off with the MMCRU High School solar project and is designed to accelerate the adoption of solar energy at educational institutions.
“We’re excited to announce the Bright Future Program and bring solar energy to more communities across the Midwest,” says Griffin Dooling, CEO of Blue Horizon Energy. “With electric costs increasing 3% per year on average, and much more in some cases, a school that chooses solar power is not only creating long-term operational and environmental savings, but also establishing a living laboratory for students to explore future careers in clean energy. The MMCRU School District is a regional trailblazer with this program.”
These solar projects are supported by the Federal Investment Tax Credit program and also by the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Grant Program which Senator Ernst has supported.
“Every year, my 99 County Tour gives me the opportunity to travel to every corner and county of the state and to hear firsthand from Iowans and see the great work folks are doing in a variety of different industries. Whether it’s wind, solar, or biofuel, Iowa is leading the way in renewable energy, and I’m looking forward to visiting both the MMCRU High School and the Dorr Farm to learn more about their work to grow solar energy in our state,” said Senator Ernst, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy and Rural Development.
Senator Ernst is an American politician and former military officer. A Republican, she has served as the junior United States Senator for Iowa since 2015. Ernst also served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 — 10:30am to 1:00pm.
WHERE:
MMCRU High School
400 E. Fenton St
Marcus, IA
Dorr Farm
450 440th St
Marcus, IA
SCHEDULE: Luncheon followed by remarks from Senator Ernst, Blue Horizon Energy CEO Dooling, and MMCRU Superintendent Barkel; with a tour of the Dorr Farm and remarks by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to follow.
