Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
“Renewable energy development presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America,” says Vilsack. “This funding will assist rural farmers, ranchers and business owners to build renewable energy projects, providing opportunities for new technologies, create green jobs and help America become more energy self-sufficient in the future.”
Reducing Energy Costs
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the country’s critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grants and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loan program level awards. USDA is now accepting the following applications for consideration:
• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until March 30, 2012.
• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012.
More information on how to apply for funding is available in the Jan. 20, 2012 Federal Register, pages 2948 through 2954.
USDA contributed information for this article. |
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