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On Earth Day, USDA Invests Over $4 Million in Rural Water and Energy in North Dakota

Name
Christopher Freeman
City
Bismarck
Release Date

BISMARCK, N.D., April 22, 2021 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2021, Acting State Director Mark Wax announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $4 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in rural North Dakota build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.

"These projects highlight the commitment of Rural Development to making positive changes for our planet," said Wax. "We hope projects like the ones announced today ignite other rural small businesses and communities to make energy efficiency and infrastructure  modernization changes and continue to reduce our human carbon footprint."

Highlights of today’s announcement include investments in:

Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:

USDA is investing $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.

In North Dakota:

The City of Hillsboro will use a nearly $500,000 grant and an over $500,000 loan will be used for the installation of a 12-inch high density polyethylene pipeline. This will update the city’s water systems, many of which are from the 1960s.

The City of New Salem will use an over $1 million grant and over $1.5 million loan to replace the water main and sewer pipes. The current infrastructure is nearing the end of its service life and the new system will provide residents with a sustainable system for years to come.

The City of Beach will use over $200,000 grant and a nearly $300,000 loan to build a new water transmission main that services the city. This will increase water quality, provide adequate fire flow and decrease operation and maintenance cost.

Renewable Energy in Rural Communities:

USDA is investing $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate.

In North Dakota:

Andrea Sand will use a $20,000 grant to install a geothermal heating and cooling system. This project will save the business over $5,000 per year and replace 79% of the electricity it uses each year.

Ryan Miller Farms will use a $10,000 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain drying system. This project will save the business $20,000 per year and replace 54% of the electricity it uses per year, enough to power 54 homes.

Andersen Farms will use a $20,000 grant to install a geothermal heating and cooling system. This project will save the business nearly $6,000 per year and replace 74% of the electricity it uses each year.

Rural Electric Infrastructure Upgrades:

USDA is investing $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program to build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. The Electric Loan Program brings efficient, modern electric infrastructure to rural communities and finances wind, solar, natural gas and clean energy production. The program also provides loans to electric utilities to support vegetation management, which helps prevent forest fires.

For example, in South Dakota, Charles Mix Electric will use an $8.6 million loan to build 84 miles of electric line and construct a headquarters facility. Charles Mix Electric serves approximately 2,500 rural consumers over 1,310 miles of line.

Biofuel Infrastructure:

USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 218 million gallons per year. This will give consumers more environmentally friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.

For example, in Georgia, RC Bells Inc. will use a $130,500 grant to replace four dispensers and a storage tank at a fueling station in Acworth. The infrastructure supported by this investment will expand the use of renewable fuels by approximately 420,000 gallons per year.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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/nd. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

 

 

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