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USDA Invests $145,000 in 14 Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Oregon

Name
Erin McDuff
City
Portland
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Vicki Walker announced today that USDA is investing more than $145,000 in 14 renewable energy projects in rural Oregon through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“These grants are helping farmers, ranchers, and rural small business owners lower their energy costs and improve their bottom line while reducing their carbon footprint,” said Walker. “Developing renewable energy presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America. It reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs, cuts carbon pollution, and helps to sustain thriving, economically vibrant rural communities.”

Norton Welding, a commercial machinery repair and maintenance shop in rural eastern Oregon, received an $11,875 grant under this announcement to install a 10-killowatt solar photovoltaic system at their facilities. The company expects to save $3,907 annually by adopting renewable energy.

Nationwide, USDA is investing $6.7 million in 544 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. View a complete list of the awards made under this announcement here.

The Rural Energy for American Program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Since 2009, USDA has awarded $545 million to support more than 8,800 REAP projects nationwide. This includes $361 million in grants and loans for almost 2,900 renewable energy systems. For the remaining 5,900 projects, USDA provided $184 million to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers make energy efficiency improvements to lighting; heating, ventilation and cooling; irrigation; or insulation, as well as motor replacements. When fully operational, these projects are estimated to generate and save 7.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually—enough to power more than 660,000 homes for a year.

Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or to install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen, and geothermal.

The award list announced today is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the grant agreement.

President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way—strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.