U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced investments totaling over $26 million to help combat climate change and expand access to clean energy across rural Kentucky.
USDA also announced today that it will make $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. This funding includes $250 million provided by the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic legislative package known as the Inflation Reduction Act. The deadline to apply for grants is March 31, 2023. Applications for technical assistance grants are due Jan. 31, 2023. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round.
“These investments will help strengthen businesses in rural Kentucky by reducing their energy costs,” said Carew. “Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Vilsack, these clean energy infrastructure investments help create good-paying jobs and highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to provide funding and resources to rural people and communities across the country to help drive economic security and prosperity.”
Fred Sipes will use a $20,000 grant to replace an inefficient grain dryer for a grain farmer located in Meade County. This project will realize $11,396.56 per year in savings and will save 154,919 kilowatt hours (52.68 percent) per year.
Jett's Mechanical LLC will use a $4,331 grant to install LED lighting at a commercial facility in Paducah, Kentucky. This project will realize $2,918.95 per year in savings and will save 20,103 kilowatt hours (44.8 percent) per year.
Hayz Meatz LLC will use a $13,482 grant to purchase and install a 10.44 kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $1,210.20 per year in energy generation and replace 11,042 kilowatt hours of energy.
Swope Nissan LLC will use a $114,229 grant to purchase and install a 212.5-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $8,278.84 per year in energy generation and will replace 261,320 kilowatt hours of energy.
Stephen J. Hager will use a $84,542 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project will realize $24,836.63 in savings and will replace 449,182 kilowatt hours of energy (38.99 percent) per year.
Deener Farms Inc. will use a $42,559 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project will realize $2,260.07 per year in savings and will replace 17,891 kilowatt hours of energy (40.67 percent) per year.
Eddie G. Humphrey will use a $38,184 grant to purchase and install a 90-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $17,410 per year in savings and will replace 158,278 kilowatt hours of energy.
Salyersville IGA LLC will use a $49,999 grant to purchase and install a 123-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $13,343.32 per year in energy generation and will replace 126,141 kilowatt hours of energy.
Addington Properties LLC will use a $55,000 grant to purchase and install a 92.4-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $11,816 per year in energy generation and will replace 103,239 kilowatt hours of energy.
The Commitment House LLC will use a $30,000 grant to purchase and install a 57.81-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $7,278 per year in energy generation and will replace 64,941 kilowatt hours of energy.
Kyle Lancaster DBA Lancaster Poultry will use a $28,488 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to three broiler houses in Webster County. This project will realize $21,706.69 per year in savings and will save 366,073 kilowatt hours of energy (34.93 percent) per year.
Creekland Farms Inc. will use a $59,575 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project will realize $9,104 per year in savings and will save 227,306 kilowatt hours of energy (39.3 percent) per year.
Kentucky Fresh Harvest LLC will use a $239,285 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to greenhouses. This project will realize $105,849.59 per year in savings and will save 716,529 kilowatt hours of energy (23.02 percent) per year.
Double R Farms Soky LLC will use a $45,512 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project will realize $3,498 per year in savings and will save 83,322 kilowatt hours of energy (24.16 percent) per year.
Clean Wash LLC DBA BP Express will use a $99,627 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to Clean Wash LLC DBA BP Express. This project will realize $2,488.14 per year in savings and will save 57,664 kilowatt hours of energy (23.96 percent) per year
Randy T. Arnold will use a $97,500 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer in Christian County. This project will realize $60,606.37 per year in savings and will save 1,225,555 kilowatt hours of energy per year (56.3 percent).
Lakeshore Enterprises LLC will use a $25,932 grant to purchase and install a 41-kilowatt solar system. This project will realize $4,653 per year in energy generation and will replace 49,980 kilowatt hours of energy.
Trellis Loop Florence I LLC will use a $25 million loan to purchase and install energy efficient equipment in a vertically integrated, controlled environment, hydroponics grow-out facility. This project is expected to create 72 jobs and will save 74,809,328 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
The Rural Energy for America Program investments announced today reflect the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
In August, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce energy costs for families and create thousands of good-paying jobs for people across rural America. This act represents the largest single investment in rural electrification since the passage of the Rural Electrification Act in 1936.
The act provides funding to USDA Rural Development to help eligible entities purchase renewable energy and zero-emission systems and make energy-efficiency improvements that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, it provides:
- Up to $1 billion for Rural Utility Service loans for renewable energy infrastructure; up to $2.025 billion for the Rural Energy for America Program, with $303 million set aside for underutilized technologies and technical assistance.
- Up to $500 million in Rural-Business Cooperative Service grants for infrastructure improvements to blend, store or distribute biofuels. This includes installing, retrofitting or upgrading dispensers for ethanol at retail stations as well as home heating oil distribution centers.
- Up to $9.7 billion for Rural Utility Service to offer loans, grants, loan modifications and other financial assistance to support the purchase of renewable energy systems, zero-emission systems and carbon capture systems.
This commitment to cleaner energy will help USDA Rural Development provide resources to reduce climate pollution and ensure that rural people and their communities have access to a clean, secure energy supply to keep people and economies prepared for the future.
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, visit www.rd.usda.gov.