The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the advancement of eight new clean energy projects through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. These projects, if approved, will receive over $248 million to lower electricity bills, expand access to renewable energy, and create jobs for rural families, small businesses, and agricultural producers.

USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andrew Berke and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden highlighted these projects at the Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Investing in Rural Wisconsin event.

The funding for USDA’s PACE program comes from the Inflation Reduction Act. This act is considered the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936 as part of the New Deal. The Inflation Reduction Act aims to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to rural communities.

“Rural electric cooperatives and utilities are the backbone of America’s power delivery and when we invest in them, we strengthen the nation’s energy security,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is proud to partner with these organizations to create a more affordable and sustainable future benefiting rural families, businesses and the health of our planet for generations to come.”

The projects include:

- Dairyland Power Cooperative in Wisconsin plans to use a $15.6 million investment for installing 2 megawatts of solar photovoltaic generation connected to a 4 megawatt-hour battery storage system.

- Stag Moose Solar LLC in Wisconsin plans a $75.9 million investment for 22 ground-mounted solar arrays producing 62.75 megawatts across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

- Sandhills Energy's subsidiary SE Municipal Colorado LLC plans a $12.1 million investment for four solar power facilities generating 7.8 megawatts across rural Colorado.

- Sandhills Energy's subsidiary SE Municipal Iowa LLC plans a $6.9 million investment for three solar photovoltaic facilities producing 7.5 megawatts across three cities in Iowa.

- KPP Energy in Kansas plans a $35 million investment for nine facilities generating 18.5 megawatts across rural Kansas.

- Harney Electric Cooperative in Nevada plans a $13.3 million investment for a 5-megawatt solar power facility serving Nevada and Oregon.

- Bluestem Energy Solutions LLC in Tennessee plans an $8.2 million investment for a solar power facility producing 6.1 megawatts in southern Tennessee.

- Bluestem Energy Solutions LLC in Texas plans an $81.5 million investment for renewable energy facilities across nine counties in East Texas.

These investments aim to make it more affordable for people to heat their homes, run businesses, power cars, schools, hospitals, and more using renewable energy sources.

In May 2023, USDA made $1 billion available through PACE to fund new clean energy projects and storage solutions in rural America with low-interest loans offering up to 60% loan forgiveness.

This initiative is part of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal climate investments.

To date, USDA has selected 27 projects totaling over $916 million under PACE.

USDA Rural Development supports economic opportunities by providing loans and grants that improve infrastructure; business development; housing; community facilities like schools; public safety; healthcare; and high-speed internet access.

For further information on USDA initiatives or updates on Rural Development programs visit www.usda.gov or subscribe via GovDelivery subscriber page.