Funding is provided through the Rural Energy for America Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded 26 grants to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers across rural America conserve energy and develop renewable energy systems, ultimately reducing their carbon footprint, lowering overhead costs and helping to create jobs. The grants are made possible through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which helps farms and small businesses right-size their energy systems and helps with the installation costs for renewable energy equipment.
“Helping thousands of rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers shift away from fossil-based energy by installing renewable energy systems and energy efficiency solutions has been one of the most important components of USDA's climate mitigation investments," Vilsack said. "Nationwide, Americans are lowering their carbon footprint and energy bills by being more energy efficient and switching to renewable energy, and USDA investments make more of these options available. The Rural Energy for America Program also helps businesses create jobs in their communities through the development and installation of energy efficiency and generation projects. These benefits ripple across the nation as we work toward energy independence and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change."
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “I am pleased this USDA Rural Development grant funding will assist two innovative Maine organizations to work with at least 42 Maine businesses to establish energy and cost-saving solutions through the installation of renewable energy and energy efficient systems. These efforts promote jobs, economic development, and a clean environment in rural Maine.”
In Maine, two organizations received Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants:
The College of the Atlantic, located in Bar Harbor, has been selected to receive a Grant in the amount of $64,650 to educate Hancock County business owners and agricultural producers about solar energy options and solutions. This project is anticipated to assist at least 15 businesses and agricultural producers.
The Greater Portland Council of Governments, of Portland, has been selected to receive a Grant in the amount of $100,000 to identify renewable energy technologies for agricultural producers and rural small businesses and promote energy programs. This project is anticipated to assist at least 27 businesses and agricultural producers.
The Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants program is administered under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Service providers who work with agricultural producers and rural small businesses can apply for grants to conduct and promote both energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
Renewable energy development assistance grants help agricultural producers and rural small business owners use renewable energy systems in their operations. Energy audits can help recipients determine the most effective ways to conserve energy through system upgrades, changes in fuel sources, or implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Thanks to USDA investments in renewable energy projects of all sizes, rural Americans are saving more than 10.4 billion kWh – enough energy to power more than 959,000 American homes annually. USDA has invested $38 billion in electric loans and more than $1 billion for smart grid technologies since 2009, helping build more than 183,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving approximately 5 million rural customers annually. Today, more than 2,200 USDA wind and solar renewable electricity generation projects power more than 130,000 homes annually.
USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 54 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me.