HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-23 Correspondence - USDA - Administration Announces Additional $1 Billion in Funding to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy and Energy-EfficiencyFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:Administration Announces Additional $1 Billion in Funding to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest inRenewable Energy and Energy-EfficiencyDate:Friday, March 31, 2023 9:31:34 AM
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US Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Together America Prospers
STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $1
Billion to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses
Invest in Renewable Energy Systems and Energy-EfficiencyImprovements
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom
Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications starting on April 1, 2023, for
$1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in
renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. USDA is making
the $1 billion in grants available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP),
with funding from President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-
ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.
“Supporting renewable energy and energy-saving systems helps the people of rural
America create thriving, livable communities,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural
communities, we are supporting hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country.
Clean energy is critical to the future of our economy, and the Inflation Reduction Act
provides the Biden-Harris Administration with the resources to build a more prosperous
rural America while tackling the climate crisis and lowering energy costs.”
Recipients may use REAP funds to install renewable energy systems or to make energy-
efficiency improvements. Eligible applicants include rural small businesses and
agricultural producers. USDA will hold competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The
funding will also include the creation of the first underutilized technology fund in the REAP
program, with $144.5 million available in dedicated funding.
USDA is particularly interested in REAP projects that will help rural communities recover
economically through more and better market opportunities and improved infrastructure,
reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change,
conserve and protect farmland, and invest in underserved communities. The program is
part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that
40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged
communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
To ensure that small projects have a fair opportunity to compete for the funding, USDA will
set aside at least 20% of the available funds until June 30 of each year for grant requests
of $20,000 or less, including the grant portion of a combined grant and guaranteed loan
request.
The maximum federal share which may be requested is up to 50% of the total project cost
for all energy-efficiency projects and zero-emissions renewable energy systems. An award
of up to 50% of the total project cost is also available for any project in a designated
energy community and/or submitted by an eligible tribal entity. All other projects are
eligible to apply for grants of up to 25% of the total project cost. The maximum grant is $1
million for renewable energy systems and $500,000 for energy-efficiency projects.
For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page
19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
Inflation Reduction Act: Background
The Inflation Reduction Act will boost the long-term resiliency, reliability and affordability
of rural electric systems. It will help families save money on utility bills, and it will expand
rural opportunities in the clean-energy economy.
USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas
in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
To subscribe to receive USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber
page.
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