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USDA Invests in Eight Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in South Dakota Rural Communities

Name
Tammi Schone
City
Huron
Release Date

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in than $300 million to help hundreds of small businesses across the country save money on their energy costs by adopting renewable sources or implementing more efficient energy options. Vilsack made the announcement at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, yesterday during a meeting with several local business owners who will make use of these loans and grants.  Eight of these projects are located in rural communities in South Dakota.

“Cutting our energy waste is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to help families save money on their energy bills while reducing harmful carbon pollution. Over the course of nearly eight years, the Obama Administration has taken strong actions to advance energy efficiency in our homes and businesses,” Vilsack said. “Through efficiency upgrades and private-sector partnerships, America has been able to cut its carbon emissions, create jobs and save families hundreds of dollars at the pump and on their utility bills every year. The Rural Energy for America Program alone has helped roughly 15,000 rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers improve their bottom lines by installing renewable energy systems and energy efficiency solutions. When businesses lower their energy costs, they are also able to expand their services and contribute to stronger local economies.”

Nationwide, USDA is investing $237 million to support 423 businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Recipients will use the loans and grants to install renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. The funds also may be used to make energy efficiency improvements to their heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; or lighting and refrigeration units.
In South Dakota:
• Advanced Light & Sound Services, Inc. based in Piedmont received a $5,293 grant for the purchase and installation of a solar panel that will generate 5,918 kWh of clean energy for a small business workshop.  Projected electrical costs savings of $771 per year.
• Bochek Stock Farm based in Vienna received a $13,736 grant to replace an inefficient dryer system with a new energy-efficient dryer and grain handling system.  This project is expected to save 1,135 MMBtu’s or enough to power 30 homes for a year.
• Clearfield Hutterian Bretheren, Inc. based in Delmont received a $5,735 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of new LED lighting in ag buildings.  This project is expected to save $2,467 and 24,720 kWh’s per year, which is enough electricity to power two homes.
• LaMaure Kost of Parkston received a $120,834 grant to install an energy efficient grain dryer and grain handling system which is expected to save 1,240 MMBTU’s, which is enough to power 33 homes for a year.
• Leola Grocery Store based in Leola received a $25,383 grant to install energy efficient coolers and LED lighting.  Projected project savings of 72.6 or 352,500,000 BTU’s which converts to enough energy savings to power nine homes.
• Red River Energy, LLC based in Rosholt received a $129,404 grant to make energy-efficiency improvements which will increase ethanol production by 1,526,435 gallons – enough to power 2,068 vehicles.
• Rodney Mueller of Florence received a $25,858 grant to make energy-efficiency improvements to his operation.  The project is expected to save 52% of grain dryer energy and save 1,372,500,000 BTUs – enough to power 37 homes.
• TFH, Inc. based in Summerset received a $37,757 grant to replace old coolers and lighting to reduce energy consumption and costs for a rural grocery store.  This project is expected to save 199,455 kWh of energy – enough to power eighteen households for a year.
In 2015, USDA provided a $7,511 REAP grant to Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. to assist with the installation of a voltaic generations system.  This project will convert the sun’s rays into electricity to be utilized by the cooperative and its members saving fossil fuel electrical production.  The project is also being used for data collection and as a demonstrator project for its members and other Rural Electric Associations.

USDA has provided more than $380 million in grants and almost $688 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners since the start of the Obama Administration. When operational, these projects will generate or save almost 9 million megawatt hours – enough to power more than 750,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5 million metric tons in carbon dioxide each year. That is the equivalent of removing 1.5 million cars from our roads.

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development (@USDARD ) has invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 9,200 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. USDA also has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.

To read more about USDA’s investments in renewable energy, visit USDA’s entry on Medium.com, Powering America with a More Sustainable Energy Future.