Reducing Waste Power and Utilizing Renewable Energy in Rural America

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week announced that USDA has selected for funding 67 projects nationwide that are focused on helping rural agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of the Secretary while attending the Pennsylvania meeting of the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA).

“The Obama Administration is committed to making America more energy efficient, and in doing so, more competitive by encouraging rural businesses build renewable energy systems,” said Tonsager.

The projects announced today will provide rural small businesses and agricultural producers the opportunity to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy system installations. Eligible intermediaries, such as universities, will receive funds to conduct energy audits which will lead to energy savings and initiatives that will reduce energy consumption for years to come.

Tonsager said that Pennsylvania State University has been selected to receive a $99,676 grant to conduct a statewide initiative that offers technical assistance and workforce solutions through energy audits. Saint Francis University, also in Pennsylvania, was selected to receive $100,000 to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and cost through technical assistance provided by the university.

In Charleston, W. Va., the West Virginia Division of Energy has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to complete 130 energy audits for rural small businesses to help them reduce energy usage and operating costs. Boise State University in Idaho was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to offer energy savings- information and energy audits to more than 1,500 manufacturing-related agricultural producers and small business in the state.

Arbre Farms Corporation in Walkerville, Mich., was selected to receive $7,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing and operating an anaerobic digester that could produce and use biogas as a substitute for propane to power the farm’s boilers. “Last year, these same feasibility study funds provided through REAP assisted in a tremendous year of anaerobic digester development and are an important first step in a successful renewable energy project,” said Tonsager. “Construction is beginning on four USDA funded digester projects here in Pennsylvania and six digester projects next door in Ohio. These systems will provide additional farm income, contribute to better nutrient management, and produce clean, renewable electricity for thousands of homes in the community.”

Today’s announcement is in concert with an agreement signed by Secretary Vilsack in December, 2009. During climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Secretary signed a historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement between USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy calls for the parties to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms by 25 percent by 2020.

With today’s announcement, USDA is awarding more than $2.4 million in energy audits grants, Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants; and more than $1.2 million to support feasibility study projects.

Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) under the 2008 Farm Bill. REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, renewable energy development assistance and energy audits. More information on the REAP program can be found at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.html Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions for the grant. The following is a complete list of award recipients announced today.

Feasibility Study Recipients by State

Colorado

Northern Colorado WindPower, LLC – $50,000

Hawaii

Frank A. Cipriani dba Biofarms Hawaii, LLC – $14,255

Tawn I. Kenney dba The Honoka’a People’s Theater – $1,041

Pacific Light and Power, Inc. – $35,338

Iowa

Plymouth Energy, LLC – $9,829

Idaho

Don W. Gilbert Hydro Power, LLC – $14,650

Elizabeth Olson – $1,600

Indiana

e-Biofuels, LLC – $3,149

Maine

Corinth Wood Pellets, LLC – $9,000

Maryland

Berrywine Plantations, Inc., dba Linganore Winecellars – $11,625

Michigan

Arbre Farms Corporation – $7,000

Lowell Light and Power – $30,000

Suburban Aviation, Inc. – $10,000

Minnesota

Little Rock Wind, LLC – $50,000

Norfolk Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Whirlwind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Nebraska

Growth Design Energy Nebraska, LLC – $10,000

New Jersey

Renu Energy Inc., – $50,000

North Dakota

Carrie Piper Cummer – $10,000

Oregon

Donald G. Averill – $27,500

Puerto Rico

Recast Energy, LLC – $9,575

Rhode Island

Global Imaging Holdings Realty, LLC – $50,000

Plain Lane Acres, LLC – $50,000

South Dakota

Blue Cloud Wind, LLC – $50,000

Dakota Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Flandreau Windfarm, LLC – $50,000

Northern Wind, LLC – $50,000

West Pipestone Creek, LLC – $50,000

Texas

Gulf Coast Wind, LLC – $31,296

Hall Brothers Partnership – $25,000

Midwest Renewable Energy, Inc., – $50,000

Mr. E. Green, Inc., – $31,938

Wind Miner, LLC – $29,114

Utah

K.C. Ranches, Inc. – $50,000

Ticaboo Electric Improvement District – $50,000

Vermont

Green Mountain Clean Energy, LLC – $50,000

Lemington Solar Farm, LLC – $15,000

Virginia

Burnshire Hydroelectric, LLC – $10,000

Washington

SKS Management, LLC – $43,750

Western Pacific

Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation – $50,000

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Recipients by State

Alabama

University of Alabama – $97,500

Colorado

Colorado State University – $37,500

Delta-Montrose Electric Association – $97,325

Georgia

The University of Georgia –$100,000

Hawaii

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; State Energy Office – $100,000

Idaho

Boise State University – $100,000

Indiana

Purdue University – $96,531

Iowa

Department of Natural Resources – $99,552

Department of Economic Development – $32,875

Kentucky

University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc. – $100,000

Maine

Greater Portland Council of Governments – $100,000

Efficiency Maine Trust – $100,000

Michigan

Michigan State University –$100,000

Minnesota

Regents of the University of Minnesota – $100,000

Nevada

Nevada System of Higher Education Desert Research Institute –$99,935

New Mexico

Regents of New Mexico State University/Institute for Energy and the Environment – $100,000

North Carolina

Land of Sky Regional Council – $99,825

North Carolina State University – $100,000

Oregon

Oregon Institute of Technology – $100,000

Oregon State University – $74,209

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State University – $99,676

Saint Francis University – $100,000

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. – $50,000

Washington

Washington State Department of Commerce – $100,000

Washington State University – $100,000

West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Energy – $100,000

Wyoming

Office of Research, University of Wyoming –$60,000

Since taking office, the Obama administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

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