USDA invites applications for renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement projects
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[April
09, 2013]
CHAMPAIGN
-- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that
USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural
producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural
Energy for America Program, known as REAP.
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The United States Department of Agriculture remains focused on
carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget
uncertainty. This announcement is one part of the department's
efforts to strengthen the rural economy. "The Obama
administration continues its commitment to help our nation
become more energy-independent by partnering with agricultural
producers and rural small businesses as they build renewable
energy systems and reduce energy usage," said Vilsack. "These
investments will not only help our farmers and rural small
businesses reduce energy costs, but also provide a new potential
revenue source and stabilize their operations' bottom lines."
REAP,
authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008
(farm bill), is designed to help agricultural producers and
rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and
help meet the nation's critical energy needs. USDA is accepting
the following applications:
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Renewable
energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant
applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan
applications -- until April 30.
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Renewable
energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed
loans only -- applications until July 15.
-
Renewable energy system feasibility
study grant applications -- through April 30.
For more information on how to apply for funding, contact
Mary Warren at 217-403-6218.
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In fiscal 2012, Safi Sana Inc. received a REAP grant to assist in
the funding of a hybrid solar project. These systems were installed
at their three car wash locations in east-central Illinois. Each
site now has a 10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system and solar
hot-water generation system. These upgrades will offset
approximately 49 percent of the electric and natural gas consumption
for this rural small business.
This funding is an example of the many ways USDA is helping
revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and
prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets
for agricultural producers, and make better use of our nation's
natural resources.
USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the
American people, even as USDA implements sequestration -- the
across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the
Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts
since 2009 to save more than $700 million in taxpayer funds through
targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put
USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while
implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that
causes as little disruption as possible.
[Text from file received from
USDA Rural Development, Illinois]
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