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USDA Rural Development Announces Nearly $120,000 in Grants to Maine Businesses for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Name
Emily Cannon
City
Washington
Release Date

 

Funding supports solar and other renewable energy projects to create jobs and promote energy independence

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $63 million in loans grants for 264 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide that USDA is supporting through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“This funding will have far-reaching economic and environmental impacts nationwide, particularly in rural communities,” Vilsack said. “Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects supports home-grown energy sources, creates jobs, reduces greenhouse gas pollution, and helps usher in a more secure energy future for the nation.”

USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “Our Maine businesses are innovative and value preserving Maine’s pristine natural resources. The 13 businesses being assisted through the Rural Energy for America Program will recognize substantial energy and cost-saving benefits that can help them to reduce overall operating costs and create jobs in Maine’s vibrant communities.”

In Maine, 13 recipients have been selected to receive a total of $119,700 through the REAP Program:

  • Bar Harbor Community Farm, LLC., Bar Harbor, $6,868 - Funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a new roof-mounted 8.42 kW solar PV system on a newly constructed seedling greenhouse. They grow over 50 MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for the Mount Desert Island community and provide local produce to local restaurants. Generated energy will meet the business’ demands and support year-round production and marketing.
     
  • Buck, Bruce, (Buck Farms) Mapleton, $5,001 - This project will assist Buck Farms in the installation of a biomass boiler using wood pellets to heat a malting facility previously used as an unheated potato storage facility. This boiler will produce 46,893 kWh of energy which will allow for temperature control and hot water. This is crucial to processing this small farmer's grain crops.
     
  • County Energy Solutions, LLC., Fort Fairfield, $6,792 - This project involves installing a ground-mounted, dual-axis solar tracking PV system at the facility. This is a 6,840 W system, generating 11,584 kW annually.
     
  • F.W. Thurston Co., Inc., Bernard, $11,738 - This project involves installing a new roof-mounted 12.93 kW solar PV system producing 16,173 kWh of energy annually. This will replace 18% of the business’ energy demands.
     
  • Flewelling, Frederic, Crouseville, $4,499 - This project will be used to install variable-frequency drives on potato storage ventilation fans. Constant operation at a reduced speed instead of intermittent full speed will save 22,161 kWh annually.
     
  • JG SL Partners, LLC., Freeport, $5,590 - This project will help purchase and install a new roof-mounted 6.89 kW solar PV system producing 8,370 kWh annually. This will replace 38% of the business’ energy demands.
     
  • North Country Rivers, Inc., Bingham, $7,772 - This project will be used to install high efficiency, ductless, air source heat pump to provide supplemental heating and cooling for their business, saving over 1,819 kWh of energy per year.
     
  • Paris Auto Barn, LLC., South Paris, $12,397 - This project is for the purchase and installation of a new roof-mounted 13.5 kW solar PV system, and is expected meet all of their energy demands by producing 15,651 kWh annually.
     
  • Solonely Acres, LLC., Solon, $19,980 - This project will purchase and install a new 5-ton geothermal heat pump system and 16.83 kW solar PV system to a new commercial storage building. This system will generate over 57,000 kWh of clean energy, meeting this business’ energy demands.
     
  • Thompson Cottages, Inc., New Harbor, $3,600 - This project is for the purchase and installation of a new 4 kW solar PV system on two seasonal cottages. This system will meet the energy demands of these cottages producing 5,258 kWh annually and contribute to their long term goal of all the cottages being powered by solar alone.
     
  • TMDE Calibration Labs, Inc., Richmond, $18,750 - This project is for the purchase and installation of a new roof-mounted 25 kW solar PV system, and is expected to all of the business’ energy demands by producing 33,565 kWh annually.
     
  • Tracy, Keena, Lisbon Falls, $4,554 - This project is for the purchase and installation of a new 6.12 kW solar PV roof-mounted system. This system will produce 8,205 kWh annually, meeting this business’ energy demands.
     
  • Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, Freeport, $12,159 - This project is for the purchase and installation of a new roof-mounted 15.4 kW solar PV system and is expected to replace over 13% of the business’ energy demands. This system will produce 20,805 kWh annually.

Nationwide, these REAP projects are expected to generate and/or save 207.8 million kilowatt hours (KWh) of energy - enough to power more than 13,600 homes for a year.

Funding for the projects announced today is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the grant agreement.

Here are two examples of how REAP has helped rural businesses:

  • In 2014, Mt. Abram, a ski area in western Maine, finished installing an 803-panel solar photovoltaic system that was financed with a $235,000 REAP grant. Mt. Abram is the first solar-powered ski area in the state and the second-largest solar-powered ski area in the country. The solar array will generate 280,000 kWh in energy each year and meet about 70 percent of the resort’s power needs.
     
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Progress Solar in North Carolina in September 2014 to highlight a $3.4 million REAP loan guarantee the company received to install a solar array. Today, the 46-acre farm produces enough solar energy to power 540 average-sized homes each year.

Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen, and geothermal.

The next application deadline for REAP grants is November 2, 2015. USDA will issue a notice of available funding with more details on how to apply in the coming weeks. REAP was created by the 2008 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has supported more than 9,600 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide through REAP. During this period, the Department has provided more than $291 million in grants and $327 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.