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USDA Invests $11 Million in Critical Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Across Rural New York

Name
Christopher Stewart
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SYRACUSE
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) New York State Director for Rural Development Brian Murray today announced more than $11 million dollars across nine projects to combat climate change across rural NY. This is part of a nationwide announcement where Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh today announced USDA is investing $121 million in critical infrastructure to combat climate change across rural America. The investments include $111 million for 289 projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.

“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Murray said. “The Biden-Harris Administration has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure. The investments we’re announcing today and those that will be made possible by historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs and save Americans money on their energy costs.”

The funding will help people in 49 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs. 

These investments reflect the goals of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which addresses immediate economic needs and includes the largest ever federal investment in clean energy for the future. For example, the Act includes $14 billion in funding for USDA programs that support the expansion of biofuels and help rural businesses and electric cooperatives transition to renewable energy and zero-emission systems.

Background:  

Bronaugh highlighted a total of 415 investments that USDA is making through three programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs are Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants, and Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Grants.

The investments will help state and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes construct, renovate or purchase and install equipment for essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. They also will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems as well as make energy efficiency improvements. The investments will also help with energy audits, renewable energy technical assistance, and renewable energy site assessments.

Some examples of projects in New York include:

 

  • Hudson Valley Hops & Grains, LLC                      This Rural Development investment of $18,852 in grant funding will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy efficient improvements to their operations. Hudson Valley Hops & Grains, LLC is a hops farm in Ancramdale, New York. Project funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a 28.4-kW solar array. This project will replace 32,858 kWh per year.  Funding includes a $47,228 Applicant Contribution and a $10,080 NYSERDA incentive.

 

  • Green Street Power Partners (GSPP), LLC                      This Rural Development investment of $6,034,765 in loan funding will be used to provide permanent debt financing for a 6.751MW ground-mounted solar project in Marcy, New York. GSPP 7024 Fox Rd  LLC is one of multiple GSPP commercial-scale solar projects being constructed in New York with the same organizational structure. The solar array is expected to produce 7,559,381 kWh of electricity in the first full year. Funding includes a $893,816 Applicant Contribution and $3,362,796 from tax equity investors.
     
  • Hubbs Road Solar, LLC                  This Rural Development investment of $5,385,000 in loan funding will be used for the purchase and installation of a 6.1 MW solar system.  Hubbs Road Solar, LLC is a newly created entity for the purpose of generating electricity in Ballston Lake, New York.  The system is estimated to produce 7,983,900 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 800 homes.  The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.  Funding includes a $4,745,919 applicant contribution.

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. 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. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to 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.