$78.3 Million Nationwide Investment Will Lower Electricity Costs and Create Jobs in Rural Communities, Including $4 Million for Solar Energy in Washington State
Olympia, WA, Dec. 19, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a $78.3 million investment, including $4 million in Washington State, through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. This funding will lower electricity costs, expand reliable access to renewable energy, and create jobs for rural families, small businesses, and agricultural producers across Adams County.
In Washington State, Cunningham Solar WA, LLC, a subsidiary of OneEnergy, Inc., will receive approximately $4 million to develop nearly 3 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity. This project will interconnect with Big Bend Electric Cooperative’s distribution system, providing clean energy to roughly 560 rural households annually. In addition, the project will create approximately 20 short-term construction jobs and supports Washington State’s goal of achieving a greenhouse gas emissions-free electricity supply by 2045.
“Harnessing solar energy brings tangible benefits to rural communities in Washington,” said Helen Price Johnson, Washington State Director for USDA Rural Development. “This project demonstrates how federal and local partnerships can drive innovation, lower costs, and create a more sustainable future for rural families and businesses.”
The funding for USDA’s PACE program comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936 as part of the New Deal. This initiative continues the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening rural communities by providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions.
In May 2023, USDA made $1 billion available through PACE to fund new clean energy projects and energy storage in rural America. This program provides low interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness to renewable energy developers, rural electric cooperatives and other rural energy providers for renewable energy storage and projects that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass.
“OneEnergy’s mission is to make solar energy accessible to all communities, and our Cunningham project exemplifies the partnerships needed to achieve that goal,” said OneEnergy, Inc. Co-founder and Vice President Bill Eddie. “We are proud to collaborate with USDA, Bonneville Power Administration, Big Bend Electric Cooperative, and stakeholders in the community to deliver a project that will provide lasting benefits, while further integrating solar into the electricity mix of the Pacific Northwest.”
According to Kelly Haugh, Manager of Community Relations for Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Inc., the project will serve accounts located in the towns of Hatton and Cunningham and surrounding farms. The accounts located in these areas are comprised of a variety of service types including homes, shops, wells, irrigation and commercial. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with OneEnergy on this project and are looking forward to the benefits it will provide our community,” she added.
By using renewable energy from natural sources, these investments make it more affordable for people to heat their households, run their businesses, power cars, schools, hospitals and more. To date, USDA has selected 34 projects totaling more than $995 million in partially forgivable loans to move forward in the PACE application process. USDA expects to provide a further update on the PACE program in the coming weeks.
“Partnering with local governments, companies, and others to provide clean, reliable energy to rural Americans lower’s people’s costs, strengthens the nation’s energy security and reduces pollution,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has made historic investments in rural America to create a more affordable and sustainable future, benefiting rural families, businesses and the health of our planet for generations to come.”
Additional details on all funding recipients and finalists are available on the PACE website.
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 healthcare; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To learn more about USA Rural Development programs, visit www.usda.gov.