Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated Earth Day by announcing support for projects to improve rural water and wastewater services, promote renewable energy, and promote the efficient use of energy resources.
“I am proud to announce that USDA is providing more than $112 million in loans and grants to help rural communities build and upgrade their water and energy infrastructure systems,” said Vilsack. "Not only do projects such as these help ensure communities have access to clean water and affordable energy, they also create jobs and boost the economy."
USDA is providing the funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects through Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program (WEP).
The Town of Chadbourn has been selected for a $1.7 million WEP loan and a $3 million WEP grant for sewer treatment facility upgrades and to rehab water supply well. The sewer system improvements will allow the Town’s treatment facilities to be in compliance with NCDENR rules. The water system improvements will replace aging infrastructure and improve overall water quality. The project benefits 613 residents.
Administrator Rural Business Service Lillian Salerno visited an Earth Day project in Newport on the coastline of North Carolina. West Carteret Water Corporation (WCWC) has been selected for an $8,216,000 WEP loan to make improvements to water system (Phase V). The project benefits 404 new residential customers. USDA provided funding to WCWC in 1988 for construction of its initial water supply and distribution system which served its first water customers in 1991. Currently WCWC supplies potable water to 5,750 residents, 52 commercial/industrial, 3 schools and 6 bulk users. WCWC also provides water to the Towns of Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, and Pelletier.
Vilsack noted that this year’s Earth Day celebrations also highlight the role of renewable energy systems in maintaining environmental quality. Twenty-five organizations have been selected for energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants through USDA’s popular Rural Energy for America Program. The grants support programs to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses evaluate energy efficiency systems and determine the feasibility of incorporating renewable energy technologies into their operations. Eligible recipients are government bodies, utilities and schools.
For example, in North Carolina, the Land of Sky COG and Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council have been selected for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to help support energy audits and renewable energy technical assistance for agriculture producers and businesses across the state.
In all, USDA is funding 37 water and wastewater projects and 25 renewable energy projects totaling more than $112 million.
Funding for each project is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant, or loan/grant agreement.
Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about what individuals can do to protect vital natural resources and safeguard the environment. Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has greatly expanded. Today, citizens and governments in more than 195 countries participate in Earth Day events.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.