Four Colorado Businesses & Ag Producers Will Utilize Funding for Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico.
“USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before,” Vilsack said. “We recognize that lowering energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers helps to expand economic development and employment opportunities for people in America’s rural towns and communities. The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”
Nationwide, USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides funding to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. These climate-smart investments will conserve and generate more than 379 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in rural America, which equates to enough electricity to power 35,677 homes per year.
“Colorado averages 300 days of sunshine a year, which provides a great venue for solar energy projects across our state,” said Irene Etsitty, Acting USDA Rural Development State Director. “The REAP funding provided to these four entities today, will help combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuel,” said Etsitty.
Projects awarded in Colorado are:
- In Mancos, Colorado, Alpacka Raft, Inc, will install a 35.75 kWh solar array with help from a $19,997 grant. The local business will replace 100% of its energy use through this project. By adopting renewable energy, the business will reduce their utility bill by $10,770 per year, providing savings that can be re-invested.
- Solar Garden Partners 3, LLP, in Durango, will install a 36.4 kWh solar array on the roof of the Cortez City Airport with the help of a $19,929 grant. This system will replace 69,434 kilowatt hours (100 percent) of the airport’s energy consumption and provide savings of $8,123 per year.
- Durango Party Rental Incorporated, will install a 14.95 kWh solar array system on the roof of their establishment in Durango with the help of a $11,175 grant. The project will replace 21,691 kilowatt hours or 100% of the business’s energy consumption and save $2,884 per year to be utilized by the business.
- Arnold Turner, owner of Rain Dance Ranch in Longmont, will install a 10.8 kWh solar array with the help of a $18,396 grant. Turner has been harvesting hay since 2015 and the funding will assist in saving the ranch $2,620 in energy costs per year.
USDA is also financing $335 million of these investments through the Electric Loan Program. The loans will help build or improve 1,432 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas. The loans include $102 million for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information in Colorado, visit www.rd.usda.gov/co.