Release No. 0079.14 USDA Announces Effort to Cut Energy Costs for Farmers, Ranchers, Rural Small Businesses Up to $12.3 Million in Grants and $57.8 Million in Loan Guarantees Available In Rural Energy for America Program WASHINGTON, May 5, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking applications from rural small businesses and agricultural producers for funding to make energy efficiency improvements or to install renewable energy systems. Developing renewable energy presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America, Vilsack said. This funding will help farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency technology into their operations, create jobs and help America become more energy independent. When small rural businesses and farmers cut their energy costs with cleaner and more efficient energy, we are both helping their bottom lines and reducing the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate. The funding announced today is being provided through USDAs Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Investments from programs like REAP help support the true engine of Americas economic growth – a thriving middle class. REAP is one of many USDA programs and initiatives to support an expanded domestic energy economy. In addition to helping to increase renewable energy production, USDA makes investments in the bioeconomy, provides support for the emerging biobased products industry, supports new technologies, and supports energy efficiency improvements. REAP funding has helped farmers expand renewable energy use in recent years. The new Census of Agriculture shows the number of farms utilizing renewable energy production has doubled in the last five years. More than 57,000 farms reported using a renewable energy system in 2012, while 23,451 operations reported doing so in 2007. Solar panels accounted for 63% of renewable energy systems on farms, with 36,331 farms reporting their use. REAP funding is an example of the many ways that USDA is helping revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets for agricultural producers and better utilize our nations natural resources. Created by the 2008 Farm Bill, REAP was reauthorized by the recently passed 2014 Farm Bill. For fiscal year (FY) 2014, USDA plans to award up to $12.3 million in grants and $57.8 million in loan guarantees. Additional REAP funds provided by the Farm Bill will be made available with a subsequent notice. USDA is accepting applications for: • Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan guarantee and grant combinations; • Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan guarantees; and • Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants. Requests for grants may not exceed 25 percent of a projects cost – either for stand-alone grant requests or for grants combined with loan guarantees. Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has supported more than 8,200 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide. During this period, USDA has provided more than $264 million in grants and $212 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners. Information on how to apply for REAP funding and on the application deadlines (which vary by project type) is available on page 25564 of the May 5, 2014 Federal Register (gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-05/pdf/2014-10054.pdf). President Obamas plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the Presidents leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening Americas economy, small towns and rural communities. USDAs investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. • Must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the dates as follows: a. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications: July 7, 2014. b. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications: On a continuous basis up to July 31, 2014. • Universal Identifier and System for Awards Management (SAM) (https://sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/) . Unless all applicants must: (1) Be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an application or plan; (2) Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by the Agency; and (3) Provide its Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in each application or plan it submits to the Agency. • ONLY rural (everywhere except downtown Honolulu and surrounding area) small businesses and farmers/ranchers are eligible to apply. Non-profits and units of government are not eligible (however USDA has other loan programs that can be used for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects). For further information please contact: Hawaii County & Maui County Lori M. Nekoba Business Programs Specialist 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Room 311 Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 933-8312; Fax (808) 933-8327 [email protected] Oahu, Kauai & American Samoa Shirley M. U. Heatherly Business Programs Specialist 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1-340 Honolulu, HI 96850 (808) 541-2600 Ext. 139; Fax (808) 541-2619 [email protected] Guam, CNMI, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia Anthony C. Barcinas Business Programs Specialist 770 East Sunset Blvd., Ste. 280 Tiyan, GU 96913 (671) 300-8567; Fax (671) 472-7366 [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 19:18:23 +0000
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