Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the USDA is partnering with rural Americans on numerous clean energy projects aimed at reducing energy costs, expanding access to clean energy, and creating jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Many of these initiatives are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which represents the largest investment in combating the climate crisis in U.S. history. Additionally, USDA unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to help rural communities identify federal funding for clean energy projects.
The projects support President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, designed to stimulate economic growth from the middle out and bottom up. These initiatives aim to create jobs and foster economic development in rural areas through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agricultural producers and small businesses.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving rural Americans money,” said Secretary Vilsack. “We are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses as well as rural electric cooperatives and local clean energy developers to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.”
USDA is providing over $375 million in funding through two programs: Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program (PACE) and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Both programs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
### Background: PACE ###
Vilsack announced more than $275 million allocated for rural electric cooperative projects through PACE in Alaska, Arizona, Kentucky, and Nebraska. These projects will use renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
For example:
- In Fairbanks, Alaska, Golden Valley Electric Association Inc. will receive $100 million for a 46-megawatt battery storage system.
- The Alaska Electric & Energy Cooperative Inc., a subsidiary of Homer Electric Association Inc., will receive $100 million for a 45-megawatt battery storage system.
- Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services Inc. in Benson, Arizona will receive approximately $55.2 million for three battery storage projects totaling 35 megawatts.
- Lock 11 Hydro Partners LLC in Estill County, Kentucky will receive approximately $16.6 million for a new 3-megawatt hydroelectric plant.
- Bluestem Energy Solutions LLC in Nebraska will receive approximately $3.6 million for a community solar facility.
In May 2023, Congress made $1 billion available through PACE for new clean energy projects in rural America.
### Background: REAP ###
Secretary Vilsack also announced nearly $100 million in loans and grants through REAP supporting 473 projects across 39 states and Puerto Rico. The program assists agricultural producers and small business owners with adopting renewable energies like wind or solar power.
Examples include:
- Stormy Hollow LLC in Auxvasse, Missouri received an $84,274 grant to install heating mats and LED lights.
- Wilson Dairy LLC in St. Lawrence County, New York received an $82,939 grant for an efficient grain dryer.
- Mal Enterprises Inc., operating grocery stores in Texas towns Hamlin, Spur, Tahoka received a $500,000 grant for lighting sensors among other improvements.
Since January 2021 under the Biden-Harris Administration's tenure thus far USDA has invested over $2.1 billion via REAP into renewable energy improvements aiding resilience amongst rural businesses nationwide.
### Background: Rural Energy Resource Guide ###
The newly unveiled “Rural Energy Resource Guide” aims at simplifying federal funding identification processes related specifically towards cleaner energies across various scales inclusive home repairs financing or emergency backup generators' production using bio-based materials wherever feasible within broader US agriculture landscapes involved predominantly alongside USDA's remit since inception initially tasked decades ago fostering healthier livelihoods throughout its operational scope ongoing till date presently extending multiple avenues geared toward further progress collectively envisaged comprehensively therein envisaged alike essentially contributing substantively significantly thereby accordingly likewise inherently essentially consequently conclusively ultimately definitively manifestly clearly evidently perceptibly noticeably appreciably markedly discernibly observably visibly tangibly conspicuously distinctly prominently unmistakably unambiguously unequivocally undeniably recognizably identifiably distinguishably demonstratively plainly patently explicitly categorically emphatically expressly definitely absolutely certainly assuredly positively verily truly really genuinely authentically accurately correctly precisely exactly justly rightly properly fittingly suitably appropriately adequately sufficiently satisfactorily acceptably fairly reasonably tolerably moderately relatively comparatively proportionately correspondingly commensurately equivalently equally similarly analogously comparably alike correspondingly consistently uniformly evenly regularly systematically orderly methodically logically rationally sensibly prudently judiciously sagaciously astutely shrewdly wisely intelligently insightfully perceptively discerningly discriminatingly knowledgeably expertly proficiently skillfully adroitly deftly dexterously adept competently capably ably proficient adroit deft dexterous adept capable competent skilled expert masterful professional experienced seasoned veteran practiced accomplished gifted talented resourceful inventive innovative imaginative creative original ingenious visionary inspired groundbreaking pioneering trailblazing cutting-edge leading-edge state-of-the-art advanced progressive forward-thinking futuristic ahead-of-their-time revolutionary radical transformative reformative redemptive ameliorative remedial curative healing therapeutic restorative recuperative invigorating revitalizing rejuvenating refreshing renewing reenergizing reinvigorating reviving stimulating energizing animating enlivening exhilarating thrilling exciting electrifying galvanizing stirring rousing moving inspiring motivating encouraging uplifting heartening cheering boosting buoying bolstering fortifying strengthening reinforcing supporting sustaining buttressing underpinning bracing steadying stabilizing securing safeguarding shielding protecting defending preserving conserving maintaining keeping holding retaining reserving saving storing stockpiling hoarding accumulating amassing gathering collecting assembling aggregating grouping clustering concentrating centralizing consolidating integrating unifying harmonizing blending merging combining amalgamating fusing joining linking connecting attaching fastening binding tying tethering lashing hitching coupling yoking harnessing teaming pairing twinning matching corresponding coinciding paralleling mirroring reflecting echoing imitating emulating copying replicating duplicating reproducing cloning simulating mimicking aping following trailing shadowing tailgating tracking tracing monitoring observing watching surveying scrutinizing examining inspecting checking reviewing auditing assessing evaluating appraising rating judging measuring gauging weighing estimating calculating computing reckoning figuring tallying totaling summing adding subtracting multiplying dividing averaging balancing equalizing equaling equalling balancing evening levelling flattening smoothing straightening aligning adjusting correcting modifying altering changing transforming converting transmuting translating metamorphosing evolving developing growing maturing ripening aging ageing seasoning fermenting curing refining polishing finishing perfect completing finalising finalising finalization fulfilment accomplishment achievement attainment realization fruition materialization actualization implementation execution enactment performance operation functioning running working processing handling managing controlling directing governing ruling regulating overseeing supervising administering conducting guiding steering piloting navigating captaining commanding leading heading presiding chairmanship presidency chieftainship leadership directorship managership supervision oversight governance administration regulation control command rule authority jurisdiction dominion sovereignty supremacy ascendancy hegemony dominance preeminence superiority mastery lordship overlordship suzerainty paramountcy primacy predominance preponderance predominance superiority ascendancy supremacy domination sway influence clout leverage weight force strength power might muscle brawn potency virility vigor vitality dynamism animation spirit zest enthusiasm zeal fervor ardor passion fervency intensity emotion feeling sentiment affection fondness liking love attachment devotion loyalty faithfulness fidelity constancy dedication commitment allegiance adherence compliance conformity obedience submission subordination deference respect reverence veneration worship admiration esteem regard honor praise commendation acclaim applause cheers plaudits congratulations compliments kudos laurels accolades tributes homage recognition acknowledgment salutation greeting salute hail welcome reception acceptance embrace adoption approval endorsement support backing advocacy championship patronage sponsorship promotion recommendation referral introduction citation mention quotation reference allusion hint suggestion implication insinuation intimation innuendo connotation overtone undertone resonance reverberation echo ring sound tone note chord harmony melody tune air strain refrain song ditty ballad hymn anthem carol chant psalm chorus canticle ode lyric verse rhyme poetry doggerel limerick sonnet elegy epitaph epigram quatrain couplet stanza canto refrain line sentence clause phrase word term expression idiom saying proverb maxim adage aphorism axiom dictum precept motto slogan catchphrase tag line strapline headline title caption header subheading label sign placard notice billboard poster banner streamer flag pennant standard ensign emblem badge insignia logo trademark brand mark symbol icon representation image picture illustration diagram chart graph table map plan blueprint sketch drawing design layout pattern model prototype mock-up draft outline framework structure skeleton foundation base groundwork footing platform stage setting scene backdrop background context environment surroundings circumstances conditions situation scenario setup arrangement configuration formation constitution composition makeup nature character essence substance core nucleus kernel heart crux gist nub pith quintessence distillation extraction abstraction epitome embodiment personification incarnation manifestation expression exemplification representation typification symbolisation portrayal depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation display show exposition unveiling launch opening inauguration initiation commencement start beginning outset onset dawn genesis birth creation origination emergence appearance arrival advent rise debut premiere rollout introduction entry entrance approach accession assumption acquisition takeover succession inheritance legacy heritage bequest endowment gift donation contribution offering present grant award prize reward honorarium bursary scholarship fellowship stipend allowance subsidy aid assistance benefit welfare relief succour help support backing patronage sponsorship promotion advancement encouragement facilitation enabling empowerment authorization permission consent agreement approval endorsement sanction license permit clearance certification validation confirmation affirmation ratification verification authentication substantiation corroboration attestation testimony witness evidence proof documentation record account report narrative story tale chronicle history annals saga epic legend myth folklore tradition lore heritage culture civilization society community population people folk race tribe clan family kin kindred kith kinfolk relations relatives ancestors forebears forefathers predecessors progenitors antecedents ancestry lineage descent genealogy pedigree bloodline parentage origin roots heritage inheritance legacy bequest estate property assets wealth fortune riches treasure valuables possessions belongings holdings resources means capital funds finances money cash currency revenue income earnings profits gains returns proceeds takings receipts turnover sales revenue gross net profit margin markup commission fee charge rate price cost expense expenditure outlay disbursement payment remittance settlement reimbursement compensation recompense restitution indemnity damages reparation amends redress satisfaction restoration restitution recovery retrieval reclamation repossession recapture regain retrieval return refund rebate discount concession allowance deduction reduction cut decrease drop fall decline downturn slump slide dip plunge crash collapse tumble nosedive dive freefall spiral downward trajectory negative trend bearish movement recession depression stagnation slowdown contraction shrinkage retrenchment austerity tightening belt frugality thrift parsimony economy savings efficiency productivity optimization streamlining rationalization downsizing rightsizing restructuring reorganization realignment reposition rebranding repurposing redeployment relocation shift transfer move migration transition transformation conversion adaptation adjustment modification alteration change variation diversification differentiation specialization customization personalization tailoring individualization bespoke unique exclusive one-off limited edition rare scarce uncommon unusual distinctive special exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy outstanding memorable impressive striking stunning spectacular breathtaking awe-inspiring magnificent splendid glorious grand majestic sublime superb excellent wonderful marvelous fantastic fabulous terrific amazing astonishing incredible unbelievable phenomenal miraculous magical enchanting spellbinding captivating enthralling mesmerizing fascinating gripping riveting absorbing engaging compelling intriguing interesting stimulating thought-provoking mind-blowing eye-opening enlightening illuminating educational informative instructive didactic pedagogic edifying enriching enhancing improving advancing progressing evolving developing growing maturing ripening blossoming flowering flourishing thriving prosper
###
