U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Alaska State Director (USDA-RD) Jim Nordlund today announced that the state and federally designated regional economic development organization for Southeast Alaska, the Southeast Conference, has been awarded a $96,000 USDA-RD Energy Audit Grant.
"This funding emphasizes the importance of our continuing investment in commercial enterprises and other organizations to do their part to reduce energy usage and use energy more efficiently to improve their bottom line," Nordlund said.
The grant is being provided through USDA-RD’s Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants program, which is administered under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements for farms and rural small businesses, grants for energy audits, and grants for renewable energy planning and development to service providers who work with farmers and rural small businesses.
Southeast Conference will conduct at least 26 energy audits on rural small businesses, and agricultural producers where available. This project is within a designated USDA-RD Strike Force region and 15 communities have been selected for prioritization in the initial outreach effort.
Renewable energy development assistance grants help agricultural producers and rural small business owners use renewable energy systems in their operations. Energy audits can help recipients determine the most effective ways to conserve energy through system upgrades, changes in fuel sources, or implementing energy efficiency measures.
Twenty-six recipients are being selected nationwide for nearly $1.9 million in USDA funding under today’s announcement. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.