USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers encouraged rural business and agricultural producers to apply for loans and grants to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
“These projects create long-term, economic benefits for businesses and rural communities,” Rikkers said. “USDA’s funding helps promote U.S. energy independence and supports the production of home-grown energy sources. I encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this opportunity. These investments can help small business cut cost, expand operations, hire more workers and provide a better service to the communities in which they operate.”
José Otero-García, USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico indicated that USDA is accepting Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applications for: 1) energy audits and renewable energy assistance grants, 2) renewable energy system and energy efficiency guaranteed loans and grants.
The application deadline for energy audit and renewable energy assistance grants is January 31, 2017. Applications for renewable energy system and energy efficiency grants of $20,000 or less are due by October 31, 2016, for the first funding cycle and March 31, 2017, for the second funding cycle. Applications for renewable energy system and energy efficiency grants greater than $20,000 and all combination grants and guaranteed loans are due by March 31, 2017. USDA will set aside 20% of the funds for grants of $20,000 or less.
Applications for renewable energy system and energy efficiency grants or loan/grant combination that are received after March 31, 2017, will be considered in Fiscal Year 2018, which starts October 1, 2017. Guaranteed loan applications will be reviewed and processed when received, with periodic competitions. For additional information, please contact Luis García, Energy Coordinator of Puerto Rico at (787) 766-5095, or see page 71689 of the October 18, 2016 Federal Register.
Eligible applicants for renewable energy system and energy efficiency loans and grants include agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, renewable biomass, small hydro-electric, ocean, geothermal or hydrogen derived from these renewable resources. Eligible applicants for energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants include State or local governments, institutions of higher education and rural electric cooperatives and public power entities.
For additional information, please, contact Danna Quiles, Business & Cooperative Program Director at Puerto Rico State Office at (787) 766-5355, 766-5363, 766-5379 or 766-5412 or visit our web www.rd.usda.gov/pr .