U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Crestina M. Martinez announced today that USDA is investing over $1.3 million in six renewable energy projects across Colorado. The projects aim to lower energy costs, improve access to clean energy, and strengthen American farms and small businesses. The funding is provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which has seen unprecedented demand thanks to President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.
“This funding will make a real difference in rural Colorado by helping communities transition to cleaner energy sources, reduce energy costs, and foster long-term stability,” said Martinez. “These investments support economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy independence, while reducing the environmental impact, and supporting a more resilient future for rural Colorado,” said Martinez.
REAP supports agricultural producers and rural small business owners in expanding their use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower. It also helps fund energy efficiency upgrades. The six projects being awarded today in Colorado are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in fighting the climate crisis. Details of these projects include:
- Clark Family Orchards Inc., a 130-acre family-run orchard, in Palisade (Mesa County) received a $97,928 grant to upgrade refrigeration equipment in their cold storage warehouse, reducing energy use by 25% and saving about $2,990 annually.
- Highline Electric Association in Holyoke (Phillips County) received a $1,000,000 grant to assist with the purchasing and installation of a 1 MW-AC single axis tracking photovoltaic system. The project will generate 2,358,034 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, enough to power over 2,600 homes, with the energy sold to the local utility grid.
- Janalyn Coen, an ag producer in Lamar (Prowers County) received a $81,257 grant to help purchase and install 55.6 kilowatt (kW) photo-voltaic solar array, expected to save $12,160 per year by generating 98,827 kilowatt hours (kWh), covering 76% of the farm’s energy needs.
- La Junta Livestock Commission Co. in La Junta (Otero County) received a $98,000 grant to help purchase and install a 40.4 kilowatt (kW) photo-voltaic solar project on their facilities, generating approximately 66,735 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually and is expected to save $10,900 per year.
- Good Vibes River Gear in Craig (Moffat County) received a $20,000 grant to help purchase and install 7.3 kilowatt (kW) photo-voltaic solar array on their business. The project is expected to save $1,457 per year. It will generate 11,065 kilowatt hours (kWh) or 115% of their historical energy use.
- Regents Real Estate Group Inc. in Cortez (Montezuma County) received a $20,000 grant to help purchase and install a 11.68-kilowatt (kW) photo-voltaic solar project which is expected to save $1,868 annually and generate 19,479 kilowatt hours (kWh), covering 116% of the business's energy needs.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, nationwide, USDA has invested more than $2.7 billion through REAP in over 9,900 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Almost 7,000 of these projects were funded by over $1 billion provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Applications for the next round of REAP funding are open until December 31, 2024. Interested Colorado applicants can email SM.CO.REAP@usda.gov for more information.
USDA 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. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov/co.