Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Rural Americans to Develop Clean Energy to Lower Energy Costs and Create Jobs as Part of Investing in America Agenda
HILO HAWAII, July 11, 2024 – The investments in clean energy is a win-win for local farms, businesses, and the environment according to Hawaii/Western Pacific State Director Chris Kanazawa, “With President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Rural Development’s flagship energy program, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has benefitted Hawaii’s farmers and ranchers strengthen their energy independence, enhance economic growth, and utilize clean energy best practices.”
For example:
- In Kapaa, Kauai, Princeville Mail Service Center will utilize its $104,956 REAP grant to purchase and install a 31.2 kW photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is projecting to generate 44,716 kilowatt hours (kWh) to provide 95 percent of their energy needs.
- In Hilo, Hawaii, OK Farms LLC will utilize a $55,198 REAP grant to purchase and install a 17.820 kW photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system for OK Farms, LLC processing facility. This RES system will provide 23,365 kWh per year or 166 percent of their annual energy consumption.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural Americans on hundreds of clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to clean energy and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.
USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.
USDA is making the REAP awards in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.
Background: REAP
Secretary Tom Vilsack announced nearly $100 million in loans and grants through REAP to support 473 projects in 39 states and Puerto Rico. The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners 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, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families. These investments will cut energy costs for family farms and other businesses, increasing their resiliency, and allowing them to invest back into their communities by creating new jobs and other opportunities.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.1 billion through REAP in 7,216 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners’ lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.
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