U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new funding for clean energy projects across nearly every state, aimed at reducing costs and enhancing access to renewable energy. The initiative is part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), bolstered by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are ensuring farmers, small business owners and rural communities have the resources they need for the future,” stated Secretary Vilsack. He emphasized that these investments will assist rural areas in advancing towards a cost-effective economy with clean energy jobs.
The USDA is allocating over $256 million in loans and grants to support more than 1,100 clean energy projects spanning 40 states. Most of these initiatives are funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, marking a significant investment in addressing climate change.
Since the inception of the Biden-Harris Administration, over $2.7 billion has been invested through REAP in renewable energy and efficiency improvements. Nearly 7,000 projects received funding exceeding $1 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act.
REAP supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses in adopting wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower energy solutions while improving energy efficiency. These advancements aim to increase income, expand businesses, tackle climate change issues, and reduce energy costs for American families.
Examples of current awards include IPR Fresh in Nogales, Arizona receiving over $350,000 to install a solar-power system; Agriventures LLC in Pineview, Georgia obtaining more than $111,000 to replace irrigation systems; Hydro Technology Systems Inc. in Stevens County Washington acquiring over $172,000 for a hydropower turbine; and Tinedale Project LLC in Brown County Wisconsin securing a loan exceeding $22 million for an anaerobic digester project.
These investments benefit numerous states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona among others.
USDA Rural Development offers loans and grants to boost economic opportunities and enhance life quality for Americans living in rural regions. REAP aligns with the Justice40 Initiative aiming that 40% of benefits from federal investments reach disadvantaged communities facing underinvestment or pollution challenges.
USDA plays a vital role daily by transforming America’s food system focusing on resilient local production fair markets safe nutritious food building new markets investing infrastructure clean energy equity removing systemic barriers creating representative workforce learn more visit www.usda.gov
