The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared an investment of $2.3 billion to extend clean and affordable power across rural communities throughout America. This investment forms part of the Investing in America Agenda, initiated by President Biden.
"Rural electric cooperatives are the backbone of America’s power delivery, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to helping them create a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future that lowers energy costs and creates jobs and lasting economic prosperity for people everywhere," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Today’s announcement reinforces this commitment and delivers on President Biden’s promise to strengthen America’s energy security by investing to deploy renewable energy technology and upgrade thousands of miles of transmission line across the nation."
According to a press release from the USDA, approval has been granted for the first five projects under the clean energy program. These initiatives, which have secured a total investment of $139 million under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, aim to reduce pollution in 23 states and fortify the rural American power grid. The USDA anticipates that these projects will foster a cleaner, more sustainable energy grid, thereby reducing costs and creating job opportunities – all contributing to long-term benefits for the U.S economy. Furthermore, these projects are expected to lower electricity costs for small business owners and rural families while bolstering the nation's energy independence.
The press release also disclosed that Trico Electric Cooperative Inc., La Plata Electric Association, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Emerson village in Nebraska, and Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation are among the first five applicants selected for funding. Trico Electric is set to receive $83.5 million for expanding its battery energy storage system capacity in Arizona; La Plata will be granted $13.4 million aimed at reducing their annual energy costs in Colorado; Kauai Island Utility will secure $24.4 million for solar energy production expansion in Hawaii; Emerson, Nebraska will receive $1 million to finance a solar facility, thereby improving its energy distribution system; and Midwest Electric will obtain $17 million to finance solar energy resource facilities in Nebraska.
