Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
On August 8, 2024, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the advancement of a new clean energy project under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. SE Municipal Solar LLC in Nebraska has been selected to receive nearly $30 million to construct eight solar photovoltaic generation facilities with a total capacity of 18.72 megawatts. These facilities are expected to generate enough electricity to power over 1,700 residential homes across Alliance, Gering, Sidney, Imperial, Ansley, Pender, Crete, and Stuart in Nebraska.
The funding for USDA’s PACE program comes from the Inflation Reduction Act. This act represents the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936 and aims to deliver clean and affordable energy through partnerships with rural communities.
“Rural communities are the backbone of America,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to partner with them to create a more affordable and sustainable future that will benefit rural families, businesses and the health of our planet for generations to come.” He added that this project would create jobs, lower energy costs for consumers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen the resiliency of the nation’s electric grid.
Additionally on August 8th, USDA Rural Development Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andrew Berke attended the Nebraska Governor's Ag and Economic Development Summit in Kearney. There he highlighted both the PACE program and SE Municipal Solar LLC alongside representatives from various federal departments.
“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act,” stated Administrator Berke, “we have seen incredible ingenuity when it comes to finding new ways to provide clean, affordable energy to rural Americans.” He emphasized that projects like these reduce costs, create jobs, and offer new economic opportunities for rural Americans.
The initiative also includes commitments towards hiring apprentices and providing workforce training aimed at creating job opportunities while supporting local economies and community empowerment.
This announcement follows several other significant investments by USDA across Nebraska including:
- Over $20 million invested in Rural Energy for America Program awards.
- A $3.6 million PACE award granted to Bluestem Energy Solutions LLC for a community solar facility.
- Nearly $17 million awarded to Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation for solar renewable energy resource facilities.
- A $1 million PACE award allocated to Emerson village for financing a solar facility improving its energy distribution system.
These efforts aim at making renewable energy more accessible and affordable across various sectors including residential heating, business operations, transportation as well as educational and healthcare institutions.
In May 2023 USDA made available $1 billion through PACE for funding new clean energy projects along with energy storage solutions in rural America. The program offers low-interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness targeted at renewable energy developers among others using wind, solar power among other sources.
This initiative aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit significantly from federal climate-related investments.
To date USDA has selected thirteen projects totaling $495 million within six states under the PACE application process expecting further awards soon.
USDA Rural Development continues its mission by providing financial assistance aimed at expanding economic opportunities improving quality life aspects such as infrastructure business development housing public safety healthcare internet access especially within high-poverty areas among others reflecting broader goals set forth by current administration policies focused on equitable systemic transformation across various sectors impacting everyday lives positively nationwide.
