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USDA is Accepting Applications for Energy Savings Grants and Announces Funding to Rural ND Businesses

Name
Samantha Evenson
City
Bismarck
Release Date

Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director, announced funding for eight projects in North Dakota to help rural businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations. The funding is available through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

"North Dakota farmers, ranchers and businesses know that energy is a precious input with an impact on our bottom lines," Taylor said. "Some like to be lean, some like to be green. Either way, we're proud to help them be innovative and efficient with these grant dollars."

Today’s announcement totals $331,000 in grants through REAP for projects such as: installing geothermal systems and updating lighting with a light-emitting diode (LED) system. The funds also may be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; lighting and refrigeration.

Congress created the REAP program in the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized it in the 2014 Farm Bill. Under the program terms, up to 25 percent of an eligible energy production or conservation project can be funded by a grant.

USDA is currently accepting REAP applications for: 1) energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants, and 2) renewable energy system and energy efficiency guaranteed loans and grants. Application deadlines are October 31, January 31 and March 31. For additional information, see page 71689 of the October 18 Federal Register or contact our office at (701) 530-2037.

Eligible applicants for renewable energy system and energy efficiency loans and grants include agricultural producers and rural small businesses, which may include tribal business entities, rural electric cooperatives and public power entities. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydro-electric, geothermal or hydrogen. Eligible applicants for energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants include State, tribal or local governments; institutions of higher education; and rural electric cooperatives and public power entities.

Since 2009, the program has financed $3 million for 100 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in North Dakota. For more information, please visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.