Investments Will Make Rural Communities More Energy Independent and Resilient
SHREWSBURY, Pa., Dec. 03, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change (PDF, 394 KB) on rural communities. With the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and as part of the broader Build Back Better agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in rural communities, creating good-paying jobs and combating the climate crisis top priorities.
“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Vilsack said. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs. With the Build Back Better agenda, USDA will be able to fund more and more critical projects like those announced today in the coming months and years.”
Background:
Vilsack highlighted investments that USDA is making in programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. This round of funding will help people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
In Washington State these investments will help build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. For example, under the Rural Energy Savings Program, Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) will use a $26 million loan to finance an energy efficiency relending program to fund projects that include Smart-Inverter rooftop solar for residences & small business and Dispatchable In-home battery storage. OPALCO is a member-owned, non-profit cooperative utility providing energy services to 20 islands within San Juan County since 1937.
Under USDA's Rural Energy for America Program, which helps agriculture producers and small rural businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements, over $595,000 in grants will be awarded to 11 projects in Washington State, including:
- Valmark Inc., will use a $115,002 REAP grant to purchase and install a 269.61 kiloWatt (kW) solar array. Valmark, a grocery store located in rural San Juan County, will save over 271,421 kilowatt hours in business energy offset each year, about $27,000 in savings.
- Perrault Farms, Inc., will use a $112,550 REAP grant to help fund the purchase and Installation of a 290 kW roof mounted solar system to replace energy used by 94.9 percent. Perrault Farms Inc is a Multi-generational family farm that produces hops, blueberries and bison in Yakima county, The grantee will realize an estimated 45,0893 kilowatts in business energy offset and $28,180.81 each year in savings.
- Snohomish Conservation District will use a $100,000 grant to conduct solar renewable energy and energy efficiency site assessments for rural small businesses and agricultural producers.
- Spring Ranch, a cattle and fruit tree business in rural Yakima County, will use an $89,125 REAP grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a 213.51 kW solar array, which will save an estimated 27,000 kilowatt hours in business energy offset (equal to $23,068 each year in savings).
- Black Star Ranch, an established hops farm in rural Yakima County, will use a $77,550 REAP grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a 198 kilowatt (kW) solar array. The new system will reduce their energy consumption by 114 percent, which is enough electricity to power one home.
- Jarms Hardware will use a $67,375.00 grant to help purchase and install a 34.2 kilowatt (kW) solar system. Jarms Hardware is a long-established hardware store located in Cheney, Spokane County. This family owned business will realize $1042 annually in power savings.
- Lopez Island Creamery will use a $43,473.00 grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a 94.1 kilowatt (kW) solar array. Lopez Island Creamery is an ice cream producer in Anacortes, Skagit County. The new system will save an estimated $8,851 annually in energy costs.
- Extreme Metal & Paint will use a $30,664.00 grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a 52.2 kilowatt (kW) solar array. Extreme Metal and Paint is an auto body and paint shop in rural Skagit county. The grantee will realize an estimated 52,389 kilowatt hours (kWh) in business energy offset and $5,239 each year in savings, which is enough electricity to power five homes.
- Sauk Farm will use a $23,261.00 grant to help purchase and install 45.5 kilowatt solar array. Sauk Farm is an organic production of apples, grapes, & peaches as well as a variety of value-added products serving Skagit County. The grantee will realize an estimated 35,939 kilowatt hours in business energy offset and $3453.20 each year in savings, which is enough electricity to power three home.
- Isenhower Cellars will use a $20,000.00 grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a 34.4 kilowatt (kW) solar array. Isenhower Cellars is a family owned Winery in rural Walla Walla County. The grantee will reduce their energy consumption by 62 percent, which is enough electricity to power one home.
- Swantown Inn and Spa will use a $9,061.00 grant to help purchase and install a 14.85 kilowatt (kW) solar array, which will save this small family owned business in Olympia, Thurston County, about .$1,700 in energy costs per year.
- Freedom Acres Kennels will use a $7,387.00 REAP grant to help purchase and install a 5.28 kilowatt solar array including battery storage to this off grid property. Freedom Acres Kennels is veteran owed and located in Elma, Grays Harbor County. The new system is estimated to produce 4,474 kilowatts per year reducing gas use in business generator.
"Great news today," said Trudy Teter, Acting State Director for USDA Rural Development in Washington State. " We continue to look for opportunities to improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity of all rural residents through our many programs in housing, business, and critical infrastructure. Working together, America prospers."
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.
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