ME is part of Nationwide Announcement of $121 Million in 49 States
SHARON, Conn., August 24, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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. In Maine, 11 organizations are receiving more than $28.3 million.
“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Bronaugh 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.”
USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson said, "Under the leadership of Secretary Vilsack, USDA Rural Development continues to make these critical investments in Maine, and the benefits extend far beyond the cost savings that will be realized by small business owners and farmers. Through the support of these projects, we are helping to create a clean energy economy that uplifts all Mainers; clean air, water, and energy go hand in hand. The Biden-Harris Administration is helping us to protect and defend our natural resources while at the same time growing our rural economy from the ground up, and the middle out. From solar panels on barn roofs to projects that support multiple households and business subscribers, USDA Rural Development is putting money to work for Maine and our environment."
Through this climate change announcement, 11 rural organizations throughout Maine will receive a combined total of $28,359,245 toward renewable energy projects through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants. In Maine:
- Hermon Solar LLC will use a $12,626,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan to build a 6.3-megawatt, ground-mount, solar facility located in Hermon, Maine. This project is expected to produce 8,342,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and will create three jobs.
- Somerset Solar LLC will use a $11,695,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan to build a 6.8-megawatt, ground-mount, solar facility located in Pittsfield, Maine. This project is expected to produce 8,856,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and will create three jobs.
- RE Sidney Solar LLC will use a $3,925,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan to build a 2.58-megawatt, ground-mount, solar facility located in Sidney, Maine. This project is expected to produce 3,259,080 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and will create three jobs.
- Balfour Farm LLC, an off-grid organic dairy farm and cheese maker located in Pittsfield, Maine, will use a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 16.06- kilowatt, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $7,950 per year. It will replace 19,008 kilowatt-hours, which is 62% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 2.6 homes.
- Camp Winnebago Inc., a youth boys camp located in Fayette, Maine, will use a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to build a 37.35-kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic array. This project is expected to save $4,381 per year. It will replace 43,240 kilowatt-hours, which is 93% of the camp’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power six homes.
- Curtis Air, a family run aircraft repair facility located in Pittsfield, Maine, will use a $18,321 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 36- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $4,538 per year. It will generate 44,810 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business’ energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 6.2 homes.
- Timber Ridge Farm, a horse and dog training and boarding facility located in Saco, Maine, will use a $17,430 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 25.92- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $2,211 per year. It will generate 31,665 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business’ energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 4.4 homes.
- JCOM Corporation, a computer repair business located in Rockland, in Knox County, Maine, will use a $14,557 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 17.6- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $2,500 per year. It will generate 17,340 kilowatt-hours, which is 81% of the business’ energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 2.4 homes.
- TMDE Calibration Labs Inc, JCOM Corporation will use a $13,103 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 20.16- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system in Richmond, Maine. This project will generate 44,810 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business’ energy use per year. The array will provide an uninterrupted power supply for the business and offer true measurement of power for sensitive uses of equipment. This is enough energy to power 3.8 homes.
- Catherine Durkin, owner of Calyx Farm, an organic vegetable farm located in Morrill, Maine, will use a $7,250 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 10.56- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $2,119 per year. It will generate 16,820 kilowatt-hours, which is 76% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 1.8 homes.
- Troika Drafts, a horse farm and stable located in Hebron, Maine, will use a $2,584 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to install a 9.6- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic array. This project is expected to save $810 per year. It will generate an estimate of 12,003 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 1.1 homes.
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. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/me.
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.
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