June 15, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is continuing their goal of increasing energy in the United States, this time with a total of $6.7 million in grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Near Jackson, Wyoming. Credit: FlickrLickr/Wikimedia Commons

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement in Jackson, Wyoming, while visiting one of the recipients -- the Snake River Brewing Company. The company received a $13,810 USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a solar panel on the roof the brewery.

"These grants will help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners use more renewable energy, which cuts carbon pollution, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, saves businesses money on their energy bills and creates American jobs," Vilsack said in a statement. "All of these are crucial components to developing healthier, more economically vibrant rural communities."

 

The REAP program was created in 2002 as part of the Farm Bill, and reauthorized in 2014. According to the USDA, the number of farms using renewable energy has doubled in just five years -- and the funding is helping farmers expand renewable energy.

More than $545 million has been awarded by the department since 2009 -- to fund more than 8,800 REAP projects -- including $361 million in grants and loans for nearly 2,900 renewable energy systems and $184 million for 5,900 projects to help rural small businesses and agriculture producers make energy efficiency upgrades. These improvements including things like lighting; heating, ventilation and cooling; irrigation; and insulation and motor replacements.

"When fully operational, these projects are estimated to generate and save 7.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually -- enough to power more than 660,000 homes for a year," USDA said in a statement. "Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal."

Vilsack's visit to Wyoming means he has now visited all 50 states in an official capacity since taking his position in 2009.

For more:
- view the recipients

© 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex Media Group LLC. All rights reserved.

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/usda-grants-67m-ag-small-biz-renewable-energy-efforts/2015-06-15