WASHINGTON, April 22, 2021 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” Maxson said. “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.”
Highlights of today’s announcement include investments in:
Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: USDA is investing $376 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.
In New Mexico the city of Socorro, received $1,474,000.00 to provide additional financing to upgrade and replace sewer lines which are no longer structurally sound. Other equipment is also being added to make the sewer system more functional. This project is a high priority project because most of the city of Socorro is served through a centralized gravity sewer collection system and it needs to be upgraded.
Renewable Energy in Rural Communities:
USDA is investing $76 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate.
Two projects in New Mexico are included in this Earth Day announcement.
The first is Slope Side Dreams, resort business in Angel Fire, New Mexico. The business provides ski-in/ski-out vacation accommodations. The resort received a $20,000 grant from USDA to offset the installation of a $80,000 solar array. When the solar array is installed the business will see $3,529.00 savings in its annual electric bill. Which is equal to almost 90 percent of the electricity used by the resort on a yearly basis.
The second New Mexico business is High Country Meats located in Raton, New Mexico. The business received a $18,172.00 grant to purchase $90,000 in various types of energy efficient equipment. The equipment includes refrigeration systems and compressors, LED lighting, and freezers for a meat processing. When the upgrades are completed the new energy, efficient equipment will save the business $2,196.00 per year in electric bills.
Rural Electric Infrastructure Upgrades:
USDA is investing $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program to build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. The Electric Loan Program brings efficient, modern electric infrastructure to rural communities and finances wind, solar, natural gas and clean energy production. The program also provides loans to electric utilities to support vegetation management, which helps prevent forest fires.
The New Mexico project is an $8,847,000 investment being made to Springer Electric Cooperative (SEC). The funding is being used to connect 124 consumers, and to build and improve 118 miles of line, transmission and headquarter facilities projects. This loan includes $1,459,000 in smart grid technologies. This funding will augment the delivery of electricity generated by SEC’s solar farm built six years ago, which was also financed by USDA Rural Development. Springer Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Springer, New Mexico, and provides service to 3,667 customers over 1,837 miles of line in Colfax, Harding, Mora, San Miguel, and Union counties in northeastern New Mexico.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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.