USDA Selects Two Nebraska Applicants in First Five Applications to Move Forward in the Awards Process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program
LINCOLN, Nebr., March 6, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Joan Scheel announced today a $12 million investment that will improve access to reliable electricity for rural Nebraskans. Today’s announcement also includes $18 million in clean energy investments to reduce pollution and strengthen rural America’s power grid under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.
“USDA is committed to helping lower energy costs and create a path toward a cleaner more sustainable future for rural communities,” Scheel said. “These projects help to ensure that ALL areas of the state have access to modern, affordable electricity and that we continue to do our part to reduce our climate footprint while increasing America’s energy security.”
In the panhandle of Nebraska, Panhandle REM Association will use $12 million through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program to build and improve nearly 100 miles of power lines and connect 68 underserved customers to reliable electricity. Nearly $418,000 from this investment will be used to help advance smart grid technologies.
As one of five applications selected to move forward in the awards process for the PACE program, the village of Emerson is seeking $1 million to finance a solar facility that will make efficiency improvements to its energy distribution system for the Winnebago Tribe.
Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation is seeking nearly $17 million through the PACE program to finance solar renewable energy resource facilities and energy storage systems for communities in Wallace, Grant, Paxton and Lakeview.
Together, these projects will reduce electricity costs for hardworking families and small business owners and prevent power outages in the face of extreme weather exacerbated by the climate crisis. These investments will also strengthen the state’s energy independence and good-paying jobs that benefit everyone.
Powering Affordable Clean Energy Awards
USDA is announcing that five applications totaling $139 million in requested funds have been selected to move forward in the awards process for the PACE program that propose to serve disadvantaged and Tribal communities in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and Nebraska.
In May 2023, USDA made $1 billion available through PACE to fund new clean energy projects and energy storage in rural America. The funding being requested today is critical in helping people heat their homes, run their businesses and power their cars, schools, hospitals and more.
USDA expects to continue making PACE awards in the coming months.
Electric Infrastructure Loans
USDA is investing $2.2 billion to support 39 projects in 21 states, including Nebraska, through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Funding is made available through regular appropriations from Congress to help utility providers and electric cooperatives build and improve electric infrastructure, smart-grid technologies and renewable energy systems.
These 39 projects will ensure more than two million people in rural areas have access to reliable electricity, increasing their opportunities for economic growth and enhancing their overall quality of life.
Background
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development in Nebraska
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ne, contacting your local Rural Development office, or by following @RD_Nebraska on X.
Rural Development offices in Nebraska: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices/ne
Rural Development Electric Loan and Loan Guarantee Program: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/electric-infrastructure-loan-loan-guarantee-program
Rural Development PACE Program: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/powering-affordable-clean-energy-pace-program
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