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New Energy Deployment

Alert

Effective beginning 5/20/2025: This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency, is under review and content may change.

Investing in Projects to Expand Affordable, Reliable, Clean Power in Rural Communities

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development is committed to making it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for new energy deployment projects. The new energy deployment programs offer funding and unprecedented incentives to expand new energy deployment, transforming rural power production, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth. These funds will also help eligible organizations in renewable energy infrastructure and zero-emission systems, as well as improve energy efficiency.

New energy deployment programs provide funds to renewable energy developers, rural electric cooperatives, and other rural energy providers for renewable energy storage and projects utilizing wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass in rural America.

Who It Benefits

New energy deployment projects will reduce electricity costs for hardworking families and small business owners and prevent power outages in the face of extreme weather. The investments will also strengthen the nation’s energy independence and good-paying jobs that benefit everyone.

Many of these programs will benefit communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas.

This assistance supports the following in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas:

Infrastructure Improvements
Business Development
Housing
Community Facilities (Schools, Public Safety and Health Care)
High-Speed Internet Access

The Process

Eligible entities for new energy deployment projects include corporations, states, municipalities, utility districts, cooperatives, nonprofits, Indian Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and more. Through the award process for PACE and New ERA, awardees were asked to outline community benefits in their service area through a Community Benefit Plan (CBP). Benefits must be specific, measurable, and additional to the services previously provided.

Application Details

Federal Register Notice of Solicitation of Applications
Review requirements related to public application.

USDA Property Eligibility Requirements
Find information related to eligibility based on location.

Powering Affordable Clean Energy PACE Program
Find all details related to the application process for the PACE Program.

Empowering Rural America New ERA Program
Find all details related to the application process for the New ERA Program.

Rural Energy For America Program
Find all details related to the application process for the REAP Program.

Rural Energy Savings Program
Find all details related to the application process for the RESP Program.

Additional Resources

Farmer Benefit Plan
Opportunities for rural farmers through clean energy.

USDA & DOE Solar Energy and Farming Initiatives
Safeguarding farmland and assisting family farmers.

Training presentations

A training for awardees and interested public

Download Presentation

A training for awardees and interested public

Download Presentation

The People We Are Serving

View the project announcements below for full details regarding awardees for the New ERA and PACE programs, as well as more details on Rural Development’s public portal.

Project Announcements: Empowering Rural America Program (New ERA)

Project Announcements: Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE)

Project Announcements: Rural Energy for America Program