USDA Announces Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants to Help Farmers

[The Straight Story]

USDA Announces Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants to Help Farmers and Rural Small Businesses Reduce Energy Costs

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is providing loans and grants for over 500 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to help farmers, ranchers and owners of rural businesses reduce energy costs and develop new sources of renewable energy. Funding is provided through USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of the Secretary.

"These loans and grants will generate and save energy for the nation's farmers and rural small businesses for decades to come," Vilsack said. "The funding will help replace outdated equipment, such as old, inefficient grain dryers, insulate buildings, allow recipients to obtain energy audits and incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations so they can compete in the 21st Century global economy."

USDA is awarding more than $30 million in loans and grants to the 516 recipients.

For example, in Warwick, Mass., Mark and Jeanette Fellows were selected to receive a $14,000 grant to help fund a 8.36 kW photovoltaic system that will offset over 30 percent of their dairy farm's energy usage. In Salina, Kan., PKM Steel Service, Inc. was selected to receive a $41,000 grant to install energy efficient air compressors, boilers, temperature and lighting controls.

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