SALT LAKE CITY, June 28, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director Michele Weaver today announced that USDA is investing $1,162,239 in 11 rural Utah clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to clean energy and create jobs for Utah agricultural producers and rural small businesses. All 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.
“Providing Utah rural agricultural producers and small businesses with affordable ways to lower energy costs, strengthens Utah’s energy independence and economy.” Weaver said. “USDA and the Biden Administration are excited to offer programs that reduce the impacts of inflation and climate change.”
Today’s Projects include:
- In Box Elder County – NooSun Dairy in Corrine has been selected to receive $99,250 in grant funds to purchase and install a 100 kilowatt (kW) solar array to offset energy costs of their agricultural operations. This project will replace 285,940 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and save the farm $25,734 annually.
- In Wayne County- Jackson Excavation Inc. in Bicknell will utilize a $47,381 grant to purchase and install a 20.44-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) roof mounted system. The PV system is expected to save this business $4,349 annually and designed to displace 109 percent of the historic annual electric demand and enable anticipated business expansion.
- In Sanpete County - Shalan's Enterprises, Inc. in Moroni is a small rural walk-up restaurant. Their business will receive a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 9.49-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) roof mounted system. The restaurant expects to replace 23 percent of their annual electric use with the PV system.
The projects announced today, advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy and other investment areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Background: REAP
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.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $9.7 million in Utah through REAP in 129 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 Utah Energy Coordinator Landon Mayer landon.mayer@usda.gov.
A complete list of all 11 Utah REAP projects can be found online.
Background: Rural Energy Resource Guide
Today, USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” which will 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.
The guide showcases USDA Rural Development programs that are helping individuals and organizations finance renewable energy systems and infrastructure across rural America. Programs featured in the guide offer funding to:
- Make energy-efficient home repairs.
- Finance small- or large-scale energy infrastructure.
- Fund energy efficiency equipment for business and industry.
- Generate emergency energy in rural areas.
- Produce clean energy from sources such as biobased materials.
The Rural Energy Resource Guide also includes stories from Rural Development customers on ways USDA programs and services have helped them meet their clean energy needs.
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. 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. 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.
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