U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing more than $140K to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in California.
“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 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.
USDA is also financing 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.
The California projects include:
- Jennifer Simone – A $10,250 will be used to help purchase a 23-kilowatt solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. Simone is a sole proprietor farmer growing almond trees and producing almonds for processing through area hulling operations and then for sale. High energy cost comprises a large part of the business operating expenses. This project will save $9,050 per year and replace 36,200 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 3.2 homes per year.
- Chad E. Swearingen – A $18,703 investment will be used to help purchase and install energy efficiency improvement insulation upgrades the agricultural buildings used for almond processing and equipment repairs. This project will save $711.92 per year and save 152,864,390 British thermal units of energy per year.
- Grover Beach Petroleum Incorporated – A $19,669 investment will be used to help purchase and install of a roof top 27-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. This project will produce 42,974 kilowatt hours per year and save $8,594 per year.
- Lefort's Organic Crops Incorporated - A $8,770 investment will be used to help purchase a 12-kilowatt solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. This project will save $6,152 per year and replace 19,846 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 1.5 homes per year.
- Whitaker Construction Group Incorporated - A $16,750 investment will be used to help purchase a 29-kilowatt solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. This project will save $11,718 per year and replace 48,492 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power four homes per year.
- David B. Colmar – A $11,860 investment will be used to help David B. Colmar dba Old Oak Vineyard purchase a 10-kilowatt solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. This project will save $4,977 per year and replace 15,590 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power one home per year.
- Capay Valley Growers Incorporated – A $19,962 investment will be used to help purchase a 30-kilowatt solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. This project will save $11,223 per year and replace 44,780 watt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 3.1 homes per year.
- Five Saft T LLC – A $20,000 investment will be used to purchase of a 32kW solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. Five Safe T, LLC is a woman owned small business/tree farm involved in growing avocado trees and selling the produce to area markets and restaurants. High energy cost comprises a large part of the business operating expenses. This project will realize $9,090 per year in savings, and will replace 50,501Wh per year, which is enough electricity to power 3.6 homes per year.
- Benchmark Vineyard Management LLC – A $18,464 investment will be used to make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Benchmark Vineyard Management, Incorporated. is an agricultural producer growing wine grapes for processing and sale to area wineries. High energy cost comprises a large part of the business operating expenses. Project funds will be used for the purchase of a 25kW solar array to offset electrical costs incurred by normal operations. This project will realize $10,000 per year in savings, and will replace 40,000 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 3.4 homes per year.
To learn more about these and other resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development state office.
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.