U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) State Director Brian Murray announced the USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. USDA Rural Development in New York is directing investment $14.5 million in loan and grant funding across seven projects. “These projects, funded through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will strengthen farmers and rural small businesses throughout rural New York State. These investments, totaling nearly $15 million will assist with technical assistance for stakeholders as they explore energy efficiency improvements.”
This is part of a national announcement where Secretary Vilsack announced the USDA is investing $163 million in loans, grants and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 States and Guam. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. The projects also advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and the bottom up.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with people in rural communities across our nation to expand access to clean energy and save rural Americans money,” Secretary Vilsack said. “We are hard at work, continuing what we've always done, supporting rural small businesses and farmers as they create jobs for their communities and drive economic prosperity.”
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.2 billion through REAP in 7,566 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. These projects will help rural small businesses and farmers lower energy bills by an average of $25,000 a year, generate new renewable energy income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. The energy generated and saved from these projects would provide enough electricity to power more than 630,000 homes over the course of a year.
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
Here are examples of the awards in New York include:
CP LynOaken, LLC This Rural Development investment of $247,019 in grant funding will be used to assist CP LynOaken LLC purchase and install a 238 kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. CP LynOaken LLC is an electric generation business that is located in Medina, Orleans county, New York. This project will produce 285,423 kilowatt hours (kWh) which will be sold directly to LynOaken Farms through a PPA. The project will realize $83,050 in savings. Funding will include a $257,701 Applicant Contribution.
NSF Aurelius Site 1, LLC This Rural Development investment of $7,809,320 in loan funding will be used for to purchase and install a 6.745 MW solar system. NSF Aurelius Site 1 LLC is a newly created entity for the purpose of generating electricity in Auburn, New York. The system is estimated to produce 9,096,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 910 homes. Funding includes a $3,997,220 Applicant Contribution.
Saratoga Solar III, LLC This Rural Development investment of $6,216,100 in loan funding will be used to provide permanent debt financing for a 4.55 Megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar project in Ulster County, Milton, New York. Saratoga Solar III LLC is one of multiple GSPP commercial-scale solar projects being constructed in New York with the same organizational structure. The solar array is expected to produce 5,942,690 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in the first full year. As a result of this investment, three jobs will be created, and three jobs are supported. Funding includes a $4,468,510 applicant contribution.
Buckingham Brothers, LLC This Rural Development investment of $190,260 in grant funding will be used to assist Buckingham Brothers LLC purchase and install energy efficient refrigerated and frozen food cases. Buckingham Brothers LLC owns a commercial building where their grocery store Buckingham Market has been operating since 2017. The project is located in Constantia, Oswego County, New York. This project will realize $19,635 per year in savings and will replace 127,911 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. Funding includes a $190,261 Applicant Contribution.
The awards will benefit people in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Guam.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.
USDA 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. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. The program 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under 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.