Biden-Harris Administration partners with Rural Americans to develop clean energy to lower energy costs and create jobs as part of investing in America Agenda

Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen American Farms and Rural Small Businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is partnering with rural Americans on hundreds of clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to clean energy and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.

The projects advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.

“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving rural Americans money,” Secretary Vilsack said. “We are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses as well as rural electric cooperatives and local clean energy developers to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.”

“South Carolina is receiving $615,644 in grant funding through Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support four projects in South Carolina,” said South Carolina USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Mr. George W. Hicks, Jr. “These projects will allow South Carolina agricultural producers and rural small businesses to increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs.”

For example:

• In Darlington County, Windham Family Farms will use a $56,033 grant to purchase and install a new GSI 1126 grain dryer. This project will realize $21,501 per year in savings and will replace 326,696 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 31 homes.
• Rani Partners LLC, located in Aiken County, will use a $124,413 to purchase and install a 101.3-kilowatt (kW) direct contact (DC) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array. Rani Partners purchased the Quality Inn & Suites in Aiken, South Carolina in 2020. This project is expected to save $19,011 per year. It will replace 136,191 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 13 homes.
• Oswald Wholesale Lumber, Inc., located in Lexington County, will use $395,232 in grant funding to purchase, and install a 241.57-kilowatt (kW) direct current (DC) roof-mount photovoltaic (PV) solar array. This project will realize $47,500 per year in savings and will replace 337,113 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 32 homes.
• Bobby Marshall Norris Jr., a row crop farming operation located in Chesterfield County, will use a $39,966 grant to purchase and install a new GSI 1116 grain dryer. This project will realize $11,006 per year in savings and will save 108,253 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.

USDA is also making the REAP awards in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.1 billion through REAP in 7,216 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.

USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.

A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.

Background: Rural Energy Resource Guide

USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” which will make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.

The guide showcases USDA Rural Development programs that are helping individuals and organizations finance renewable energy systems and infrastructure across rural America. Programs featured in the guide offer funding to:

• Make energy-efficient home repairs.
• Finance small- or large-scale energy infrastructure.
• Fund energy efficiency equipment for business and industry.
• Generate emergency energy in rural areas.
• Produce clean energy from sources such as biobased materials.

The Rural Energy Resource Guide also includes stories from Rural Development customers on ways USDA programs and services have helped them meet their clean energy needs.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.

 

About USDA

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.