Rhinelander - Wisconsin Public Service is taking applications for the 2012 Energy Challenge.

The contest is open to all non-profit organizations in the WPS territory.

The challenge will take place from October through December, but participants need to get their applications in by July 31.

The contest entails a few challenges for the organizations that participate. "For example, installing ten weatherization kits at community members homes, tracking their energy changes; their behaviors that they're changing as it relates to gas and electric use, and then also having ten club members sign up to reduce their energy over that three month period from October through December," says Leah Van Zile, Community Relations Leader for WPS.

WPS will track the organizations' progress. The five organizations that save the most energy will win a grant of $1,500.

The 15 remaining participants will receive a $750 grant for completing the challenges.

"It's just a unique way for an organization to earn some money, as well as become more energy conscious themselves," says Van Zile.

Applications can be found online- please see the link below.

WPS Energy Challenge