U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

On Earth Day, USDA invests $38.1 Million in Rural Water, Energy and Biofuel Infrastructure in New York

Name
Christopher Stewart
Phone
City
Syracuse
Release Date

Today, in honor of Earth Day 2021, Acting State Director for Rural Development in New York Brian Murray announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $38,136,620 in loan and grant funding to support rural water, energy and biofuel infrastructure projects throughout several rural New York communities. This is part of a national announcement where the USDA is investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.

“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” Murray said. “The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”

Highlights of today’s announcement include investments in:

Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:

USDA is investing $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.

For example, projects in New York include:

The Town of Peru                   This Rural Development investment will be used to create Sewer District Number 1 in the town of Peru, located in Clinton County, NY. The project is receiving additional funding due to increased costs at bidding. The project will help provide reliable sewer service to town residents. The total project costs are $5,404,024, with a $3,612,000 direct loan obligated in 2018; other funding of $1,007,024 and a subsequent loan of $785,000.
 

Village of Castorland             This Rural Development investment will be used to replace a water storage tank in the village of Castorland, which is in Lewis County, NY. The original tank is old, eroding and at the end of its useful life.  This project will help provide reliable water service and fire protection to village residents. The total project costs are $700,000 with an applicant contribution of $153,000, and a direct loan of $547,000.  
 

The Town of Mexico              This Rural Development investment will be used to create Water Service Area Number 6 in the town of Mexico. This project will extend public water service to 166 residential homes and benefit 449 residents in this town in order to provide safe potable water. It will also provide the town with an adequate water source for fire protection. The total project costs are $5,465,000 with a direct loan of $4,215,000 and a $1,250,000 grant.


The Town of Benton              This Rural Development investment will be used to create Water District Number 5 in the town of Benton. This project will extend a public water service to 16 residential homes and benefit 47 residents in the town that currently do not safe potable water. It will also provide this town with an adequate water source for fire protection. The total project costs are $5,465,000 with a $4,215,000 direct loan and a $1,250,000 grant.


The Town of Bethany             This Rural Development investment will be used to expand public water service to residents and businesses located outside of the existing service area. The new water district will relieve the financial and logistical burdens of replacing or repairing failing private well water systems, minimize threats to public health and will provide water for fire protection. The total project costs are $16,686,000 with a direct loan of $16,680,000 and applicant contribution of $6,000.

The Town of Pembroke          This Rural Development investment will be used to create the Pratt Road Water District in the town of Pembroke, located in Genesee County, NY. Funding will replace and repair failing private well water systems. The improvements will help enhance public health and provide water for fire protection.

The Town of Pomfret             This Rural Development investment will be used to create the Van Buren Water District in the town of Pomfret in Chautauqua County. The project will extend public water service to residential homes, commercial properties within the Van Buren Water District. Residents and businesses in the Town of Pomfret, have experienced ongoing difficulties with water main breaks due to the poor condition of the existing mains. To minimize the threats to public health and safety, and in response to a notice of public interest, the Town of Pomfret created the Van Buren water district. The total project costs are $1,838,000 with a direct loan of $1,550,000 and a $288,000 Rural Development grant.

Renewable Energy in Rural Communities:

USDA is investing $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate.

For example, a project in New York includes:

Green Street Power Partners:             This Rural Development investment of $6.7 million in loan funding will be used to purchase a 6.75-Megawatt ground-mounted solar project in Wellsville, NY. This is one of multiple commercial-scale solar projects being constructed in NY with the same organizational structure. The solar array is expected to produce 9,964,600 kWh of electricity in the first full year. 

Biofuel Infrastructure:

USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 218 million gallons per year. This will give consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.

For example, projects in New York include:

Westmore Fuel Company, Inc.                       This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Westmore Fuel Company Incorporated is a fuel distribution facility company. This project will consist of installing a 50,000 gallon biodiesel storage tank and piping, which will be integrated into the existing distribution and rack blending system, at one location in New York. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Port Chester. This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 5,081,926 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

Northville Industries Corporation                  This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Northville Industries Corp. is a fuel distribution facility company. This project will consist of converting a 46,000 barrel storage tank to store biodiesel, installing piping and automatic valves to perform blending, and updating the automation system to support the new blend products at one locations in New York. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Holtsville.  This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 38,535,222 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

Global Companies, LLC                     This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Global Companies LLC is a fuel distribution facility company. This project will consist of retrofitting two 100,000 barrel biodiesel storage tanks at one location, a 25,040 barrel biodiesel storage tank at one location, a 43,000 barrel biodiesel storage tank at one location, installing a 30,000 gallon biodiesel storage tank, and connecting a 129,021 barrel and 445 barrel biodiesel storage tank at one location at five locations in New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Albany, NY; Newburgh, NY; Providence, RI; Bridgeport, CT; and Revere, MA.  This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 51,260,490 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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.