Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 16, 2024 – On the second anniversary of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for 160 projects in 26 states aimed at expanding access to clean energy systems and increasing the availability of domestic biofuels. These initiatives are expected to create new market opportunities and jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.
The USDA is providing $99.6 million through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with funds from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. To date, USDA has invested over $600 million from the Act into more than 4,500 clean energy projects via REAP and over $180 million into more than 200 biofuel projects nationwide.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is lowering costs for rural Americans and giving people in rural areas the historic opportunity to expand clean energy and build an economy that benefits working families and small businesses,” Secretary Vilsack stated. “By expanding access to homegrown biofuels and clean energy systems, we are strengthening our energy independence, addressing the impacts of climate change, and creating new market opportunities while bringing good-paying jobs in rural communities.”
Secretary Vilsack made this announcement during his visit to Minnesota, which included a discussion on Investing in the American Bioeconomy at the University of Minnesota and a visit to The Corner Store in Inver Grove Heights. The store received a $518,250 HBIIP grant to develop infrastructure for renewable fuels.
Additionally in Minnesota, USDA is awarding $9.2 million in REAP grants to 71 projects across the state aimed at helping farmers and small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy.
Examples include:
- In Longville: Raveling Outdoors LLC will use a $59,475 REAP grant to install a solar array expected to save nearly $9,000 annually.
- In Waltham: Moe Family Farm LLC will use a $10,812 REAP grant for an energy-efficient shop heater projected to save about $1,000 per year.
The REAP program supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative by ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments in climate change mitigation.
USDA is also awarding $90.3 million in HBIIP grants across 89 projects in 26 states to help business owners upgrade fuel infrastructure.
Examples include:
- In Georgia: CSX Transportation Inc. will use a $1.9 million grant for biodiesel storage tanks.
- In Nevada: Anabi Real Estate Development LLC will use a $3.7 million grant for E85 dispensers at fueling stations.
USDA continues accepting HBIIP applications until Sept. 30, 2024.
Today’s announcement includes investments spanning California through Wyoming since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts toward renewable energy infrastructure expansion.
Background
The Inflation Reduction Act underpins these initiatives as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda focused on combating climate change through significant investments like those seen with REAP and HBIIP programs.
For further details on these programs or USDA Rural Development activities impacting rural America visit www.rd.usda.gov or www.usda.gov respectively.
