BISMARCK, N.D., March 28, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Erin Oban today announced that USDA is making investments in renewable energy projects that lower energy costs, generate new income for farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses for North Dakota.
“Federal programs and funding prioritized by the Biden Administration and strengthened by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has led to a record number of applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) at USDA Rural Development,” said Oban. “The $2 million in grant awards announced today are supporting North Dakota ag producers and rural business owners from Baldwin to Hampden to upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment and invest in renewable energy systems, helping them to reduce both their energy consumption and their operational costs in the short and long term.” Audio:MP3, 40 seconds, 951KB.
Rural Clean Energy Systems
Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
These investments will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create new revenue streams for people in their communities. For example:
- Shannon Brown will use a $135,363 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Shannon Brown operates a family farm growing small grains near Baldwin, ND. This project will save approximately $6,000 and replace 90,624 kWh (51 percent) annually, enough energy to power eight homes.
- Ryan Trom will use a $168,449 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Ryan Trom operates a family farm growing small grains near Davenport, North Dakota. This project will save $5,200 and replace 116,584 kWh (32 percent) per year, enough energy to power 10 homes.
- Bobby Frauenberg will use a $500,000 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Bobby Frauenberg operates a family farm growing small grains near LaMoure, North Dakota. This project will save $15,650 and replace 233,250 kWh (42 percent) per year, enough energy to power 21 homes.
- Joshua Basaraba will use an $89,745 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Joshua Basaraba operates a family farm growing small grains near Wilton, ND. This project will save $14,600 and replace 289,320 kWh (35 percent) per year, which is enough energy to power 26 homes.
- Jerry Hashbarger will use a $237,290 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Jerry Hashbarger operates a family farm growing small grains near Hope, North Dakota. This project will save $5,087 and replace 73,410 kWh (40 percent), per year enough energy to power six homes.
- Robert Thorpe will use a $149,282 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-handling system. Robert Thorpe operates a family farm growing small grains near Oakes, North Dakota. This project annually will save $349 and replace 10,533 kilowatt hours (kWh) (86 percent), enough energy to power one home.
- Robert Gemar will use a $500,000 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Robert Gemar operates a family farm growing small grains near Fullerton, North Dakota. This project annually will save $9,104 and replace 177,205 kilowatt hours (kWh) (72 percent), enough energy to power sixteen homes.
- Terry Petsinger will use a $183,938 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-drying system. Terry Petsinger operates a family farm growing small grains near Arvilla, North Dakota. This project annually will save $13,988 and replace 279,322 kilowatt hours (kWh) (51 percent), enough energy to power twenty-five homes.
- Brian Aanstad will use a $74,666 grant to install a more energy-efficient grain-handling system. Brian Aanstad operates a family farm growing small grains near Hampden, North Dakota. This project annually will save $144 and replace 1,754 kilowatt hours (kWh) (79 percent).
- Jamie Zins will use a $23,594 grant to install an 18.72 kW solar array system. Jamie Zins operates a woodworking shop near McKenzie, North Dakota. This project will save the business approximately $800 per year and generate 28,439 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power two homes.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $1.8 billion through REAP in over 6,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners' lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
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 health care; 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 subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under 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.