Who We Are

The Save Water Save Energy program is a network of conservation entities working together on energy efficiency in agricultural communities. We do this by helping to connect agricultural operators and owners with outreach and incentives that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. Through the Save Water Save Energy program we can all work together to help our local farming communities increase their access to energy efficiency technology.

RC&D Councils are local, non-profit conservation collaborations, working with conservation districts and other partners to bring Save Water Save Energy program services to their local communities. Contact your local RC&D or Save Water Save Energy representative today and find out how you can save money and conserve vital natural resource today!

What We Do

RC&D's in the West have partnered with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to assist Local Public Utilities deliver Energy Efficiency cash incentives to agricultural producers. Our Energy Analysts work with agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce on farm energy costs and find funding for energy improvement projects.
Our services include:

• Onsite energy assessment
• Establish eligibility for all available funders
• Arrange energy audits when needed
• Estimate energy costs and submit to BPA engineers
• Identify, develop and get funding for energy improvement projects

We work to serve as the producers advocate to help improve energy efficiency on site. Our goal is to keep farmers farming!

Saving Water is Saving Energy

The Save Water Save Energy program (SWSE) is a collaboration between the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and state Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds) to help producers reduce energy and water costs and aid utilities in achieving regional energy efficiency goals as a means to keep customer electricity costs from rising.

Whether you’re a producer or a utility, the RC&D is your Partner in making energy and water saving projects happen.

In agriculture, saving water usually means saving energy. By saving water and the energy used to get it to crops, producers can reduce costs, increase irrigation uniformity, reduce fertilizer waste, and in some circumstances, improve crop yield. Very often, efficiency projects have additional benefits like extended equipment life and reduced repair and labor costs.

While the majority of agricultural efficiency projects are related to making irrigation more efficient, additional efficiency opportunities exist for lighting, livestock tanks, and motors. For details on agricultural efficiency measures click on the  Efficiency Measures tab above.

BPA and public utilities in the Northwest recognize that energy efficiency is the premier low-cost source of new energy, and work together to provide customers with incentives and opportunities to reduce energy waste.

Between 2010 and 2014, BPA expects to acquire 20 average megawatts (aMW) from agricultural sector utility programs. BPA supports agricultural energy efficiency programs with financial incentives to utilities. To see additional grants and incentives that your RC&D can help you with, click on the Incentives tab.

Savings To Date

Since 2006, BPA and Northwest public utilities have implemented thousands of energy efficiency measures, leveraging over $4.5 million in utility incentives to reduce energy use by over 35.5 million kWh and reduce producers’ energy costs by over $2.5 million in the region. Since the beginning of the partnership between BPA and the state RC&Ds in Spring 2011, the RC&Ds have contributed significantly to the implementation of agricultural efficiency measures in the Northwest.

For highlights of specific projects click on the Regional Projects tab above.

How SWSE helps Producers

If you’re a producer, your local RC&D will provide you with the resources, information and incentive opportunities you need to make the best decisions for reducing your water and energy costs. For more information on Save Water Save Energy program benefits to producers and how to get started with your local RC&D, click on the RC&D tab above.

How SWSE helps Public Utilities

If you’re a utility, the agricultural sector offers an opportunity to achieve energy savings. By using a targeted approach, utilities can gain significant savings working with a relatively small number of customers.

Partnering with your local RC&D will help you achieve your efficiency goals by using their existing relationship with local producers and stakeholders to identify and develop agricultural efficiency projects in your territory. For more information on Save Water Save Energy program benefits to utilities and how to contact your local RC&D, click on the RC&D tab above.