USDA Grants $21 Million for Renewable Energy

 

September 15, 2005

"Renewable energy is also a major growth area for American farmers and a top priority for USDA. Energy conservation and renewable fuels are good for the environment, the economy, and farmers' bottom lines," said Johanns.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency projects involve a wide range of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and conservation technologies. For example, Wasatch Wind will receive $500,000 in funding for phase one of a wind energy generation project to be located at Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah.

Combined with matching funds, the USDA grant will result in the construction of a 1.5 MW wind generation tower, the first of 10 towers planned for the site. Synthetic Energy of Ketchum, Idaho, will use its grant of $199,863 to purchase wind turbines to power a commercial hydrogen generator.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs to support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.