USDA Rural Development Invests $5.8 Million in Clean Energy Projects to Strengthen American Farms and Businesses in Pennsylvania
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development Bob Morgan today announced that USDA is investing more than $5.8 million in renewable energy projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.
“The Biden Administration and USDA are ensuring farmers and small businesses are not only a part of the clean energy economy, but directly benefiting from it,” Morgan said. “We have seen a great impact from this Administration’s focus on clean energy projects here in Pennsylvania. We expect this effort to continue in 2024.”
In 2023, Rural Development awarded $22.4 million in grant funds through its Rural Energy for America programs. Today’s announcement is the first of 2024 and includes 37 projects in 14 counties throughout Pennsylvania totaling $5,869,940.
New projects:
- The Huntingdon Country Club Inc. in Huntingdon County, a golf course located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was awarded $24,563 to purchase and install a 23.2-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Incorporated in 2019, The Huntingdon Country Club was voted "best golf course in the Huntingdon area". This project is expected to save the business approximately $3,100 per year and will replace 27,371 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
- GAP Bros. Holdings LLC in Lancaster County was awarded $491,000 to purchase and install a 481.12 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system on one of its office buildings. Gap Bros. Holdings LLC, a real estate property company, has been operating in Lancaster County since 2010. This project is expected to generate 477,533 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 44 homes.
- Spiral Path Farm LLC in Perry County was awarded $145,890 to purchase ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems for its two organic produce farming locations. A 108-kilowatt (kW) system will be installed on Shermans Valley Road, Loysville, Pennsylvania, and a 54-kilowatt (kW) system will be installed at Thomas Lane. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $26,700 per year and will replace 145,661 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 13 homes.
The remainder of the REAP projects that were announced on Jan. 22, 2024, can be viewed on our website here.