City of Sun Prairie Receives $96K Carbon Reduction Program Grant

CITY OF SUN PRAIRIE RECEIVES $96,000 CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM GRANT

Funds will be used for Sun Prairie Fire Department Emission Mitigation Project

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. - The City of Sun Prairie is pleased to announce that it has received a grant of $96,000 through the WisDOT Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), a new federal program providing funding for projects that reduce transportation emissions.

This funding will be used to install battery auxiliary power units (APU) in two Sun Prairie fire engines, which are due for replacement in 2026 and 2028. These APUs are designed to nearly eliminate engine-operating idling, which releases unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Emergency vehicles have unique power needs - they draw energy to reach the scene of an accident, and use stationary power to operate emergency lights, water pumps and deluge guns, computers, heating and cooling (HVAC), communications, and other equipment. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), only about 20% of the calls fire engines dispatch to are for fires. The other 80% are for medical emergencies where the full capabilities of the fire engine are not needed and a significant amount of engine idling often ensues. Equipping two of our engines with an APU system will significantly reduce engine-operated idling and offset the need for up to 3,000 gallons of diesel annually, leading to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.

"Receiving this funding is a big win for the city," shares Rose Daily, Sustainability & Resilience Manager for the City of Sun Prairie. "By reducing unnecessary idling, we're cutting emissions, lowering fuel costs, and extending the life of our emergency vehicles - all while supporting the health of our community."

The cost to implement the APUs is estimated to be $120,000. With the city offering a $24,000 cost share, this CRP funding closes the gap - allowing us to build two new low-emission engines in the coming years that will go into service no later than the end of the decade.

For more information about Sun Prairie's sustainability efforts, please visit ww.cityofsunprairie.com/SustainableSunPrairie.