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Trump Administration Invests $310,768 in Rural Energy for America Program in Rural Pennsylvania

Name
Amber Albright
Phone
City
Harrisburg
Release Date

Trump Administration Invests $310,768 in Rural Energy for America Program in Rural Pennsylvania

Investment to Help Farmers, Rural Business and Agricultural Producers Boost Their Bottom Line
 

Harrisburg, PA., Aug. 25, 2020 – The Trump Administration along with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Curt Coccodrilli today announced that USDA is investing $310,768 to help farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses lower energy costs in rural Pennsylvania. USDA is providing the funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). 

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, I am delighted to announce these missions to help cultivate and advance renewable energy and energy efficiency technology into farmers, rural businesses and ag producers operations to help create jobs and help America become more energy independent,” Coccodrilli said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Pennsylvania in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural American thrives, all of America thrives.”

Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits and to install renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. The funding can also be used to increase energy efficiency by making improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration.

In Pennsylvania:

  • KW Danville LLC located in Danville, Pa. was awarded $99,482 and will be used for the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment such as replacement curtains for each greenhouse, replacement heaters throughout the greenhouses, and replacement LED lighting throughout the company.  Kurt Weiss Danville is a family owned farm since 1960 that sells annual and perennial flowers.  This project will realize an energy savings of $356,331. 
  • Lloyd Zimmerman & Sons Farm located in Danville, Pa. was awarded $60,000 and will be used to purchase and install a 248kW roof mounted solar photovoltaic system.  The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the family owned dairy barns. This project will realize an energy savings of $31,728 per year and will replace 288,434 kWh of electricity per year or 99% of the farm's needs which is enough electricity to power more than 26 homes.
  • Mercersburg Printing, Inc. located in Mercersburg, Pa. was awarded $145,000 and will be used for the purchase and installation of a 454kW roof mount solar array.  This project will realize $39,224 per year in savings and will replace 472,589 kWh (61%) per year, which is enough electricity to power at least 43 homes.
  • Penn View Farm located in Perkasie, Pa. was awarded $6,286 and will be used to purchase and install a 7,159-bushel capacity grain dryer.  The grain dryer will be used for the family owned dairy farm that also produces grains on its 700 acres of land. This project will realize an energy savings of $13,776 per year and will save 37,976 kWh of electricity per year which is enough electricity to power 3.5 homes annually. 

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 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.

If you would like to schedule an interview with State Director Curt Coccodrilli, please contact Amber Albright at 717-237-2295 or Amber.Albright@usda.gov.

 

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