$130,000 invested in rural Alaska communities to lower annual energy costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico.
“USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before,” Vilsack said. “We recognize that lowering energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers helps to expand economic development and employment opportunities for people in America’s rural towns and communities. The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”
USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides funding to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. These climate-smart investments will conserve and generate more than 379 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in rural America, which equates to enough electricity to power 35,677 homes per year.
In Alaska, USDA is announcing investments in five fishing vessels and several rural small businesses. Projects awarded are:
Fishing Vessels
- Jobe Abraham Jr. will use a $15,000 grant to help install an energy-efficient refrigerated seawater system and insulate the fishing vessel Nellie Ann II. Mr. Abraham has commercially fished in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska for the past 35 years.
- Weston J. Carroll will use a $11,000 grant to help install an energy-efficient generator on the fishing vessel Amber Dawn. Mr. Carroll has commercially fished in various regions of Alaska for the past 22 years.
- LAMS Fisheries Incorporated will use a $8,000 grant to help install insulation and energy-efficient lighting on the fishing vessel Tusk. The company's owner has fished in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska for the past 51 years.
- Smoky Point Seafood LLC will use a $6,000 grant to help install spray foam insulation on the fishing vessel Smoky Point. The company's owner has fished in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska for the past 26 years.
- WSUT Fisheries Inc. will use a $16,000 grant to help install an energy-efficient refrigerated seawater system and insulate and zone the fish holds on the fishing vessel Joan W. The company's owner has fished in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska for the past 37 years.
Rural Businesses
- Alaska Berries LLC will use a $5,000 grant to help purchase and install of 6.96 kilowatt solar array.
- Alaskan Boreal Forest Products LLC will use a $6,000 to help install a 9.13-kilowatt photovoltaic system on its commercial building located in Soldotna, Alaska.
- Easy Street Cabins LLC will use a $4,000 grant to help install a 4.72-kilowatt photovoltaic system on its rental property located in Talkeetna, Alaska.
- Elan Building LLC will use a $4,000 grant to help purchase and install a 6.3 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array.
- Thomas and Stephanie Kobylarz will use a $7,000 grant to purchase and install a 10.08-kiloawtt solar array at a dentist office in Soldotna, Alaska.
- Marcia Kuszmaul will use a $10,000 grant to help purchase and install of 12.6 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array for the Juneberry Lodge.
- MSA Inc. will use a $17,000 grant to help purchase and install a 24.9-kilowatt solar array in Homer, Alaska.
- North Pole Prescription Laboratory Inc. will use a $18,000 grant to help install a 25.2-kilowatt photovoltaic system on its pharmacy building located in North Pole, Alaska.
USDA is also financing $335 million of these investments through the Electric Loan Program. The loans will help build or improve 1,432 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas. The loans include $102 million for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ak.
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