BOZEMAN, MT., Oct. 7, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced new partnerships with farmers and small businesses across rural Montana to expand access to renewable energy and reduce energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, which focuses on creating opportunities in rural communities while addressing climate change.
“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business owners deserve affordable energy,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said in a national announcement. “That’s why, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, I’m proud to announce an additional $104 million in REAP loans and grants that will lower energy costs for farmers and small businesses, helping them expand their operations while tackling climate change.”
“These REAP investments show our commitment to Montana’s farmers and small businesses in helping them transition to renewable, more affordable energy solutions,” said USDA Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams. “By expanding renewable energy opportunities in Montana’s rural communities, we are lowering costs for local businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to a more sustainable future. I am proud to see the positive impact these projects will have for our state.”
In Montana, several businesses and farms have been awarded REAP funding to implement energy-efficient projects. These investments will not only lower their operating costs but also contribute to energy savings that benefit local communities.
Here are the REAP investments announced in Montana:
• Chapter One Book Store Inc. (Hamilton, MT) – $10,550: This investment will fund the purchase and installation of new energy-efficient windows, expected to save $2,463 annually. The project will reduce energy usage by 41,107 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, enough to power four homes.
• Gran Prairie LP (Grass Range, MT) – $28,265: This project involves installing a 20.025-kilowatt (kW) solar array, which will generate 100% of the business’s energy needs, saving $3,585.43 annually and reducing energy usage by 20,482 kWh, enough to power two homes.
• Chris Fritz Farm (Kalispell, MT) – $65,587: The installation of a 50 kW roof-top solar array will save the farm $4,683.68 annually and generate 58,546 kWh of energy, enough to power five homes.
• TJ Electric Inc. (Hamilton, MT) – $40,548: This investment will be used to construct a 26.24 kW solar photovoltaic system, generating 29,717 kWh annually and resulting in $4,624 in energy savings.
• Freightmonster Inc. (Hamilton, MT) – $56,000: This project will install a 44.8 kW solar photovoltaic system for a heavy-haul trucking company, saving $8,087 annually and generating 55,774 kWh, enough to power five homes.
• Somers Mansion LLC (Somers, MT) – $42,120: This investment will fund the installation of a 31.16 kW roof-top solar array, saving $2,584.12 in energy costs annually and generating 36,916 kWh, enough to power three homes.
• Revier Transportation LLC (Plains, MT) – $169,893: This project will install solar voltaic systems to support new electric school buses, generating $15,617 annually and saving $39,746 in diesel fuel costs. The system will generate 103,319 kWh annually, enough to power 10 homes.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural America. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a key part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. To learn more about how USDA is investing in rural communities, visit the Rural Data Gateway.
For more information about USDA Rural Development’s programs and investments, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.