Projects Will Lower Energy Costs for Six RI Businesses
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. In Rhode Island, six businesses will receive a total of $56,640.
“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 Rural Development Rhode Island Acting State Director Liz Gariepy said, “I am pleased that USDA Rural Development can assist six Rhode Island businesses to install renewable energy systems and make energy efficient improvements to their operations. Through these actions, rural businesses can lower energy costs and help create a cleaner environment for Rhode Island communities.”
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.
USDA is 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.
In Rhode Island, six businesses and agricultural producers have been selected to receive REAP Grants for a total of $56,640:
REAP Grant Recipients:
• Shell Field Farm, located in Wakefield, has received a grant in the amount of $2,979. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 13.6 kW Roof-Mounted solar array on the oyster farm of Nicholas Papa. This project will replace 13,333 kWh (103%) per year and realize $3,312 of saving per year. Shell Field Farm is a sole proprietorship running an oyster farm in Wakefield.
• Ninigret Pond Oyster Holdings, Inc, located in Charlestown, has received a grant in the amount of $19,166. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 37 kW solar array at the Ninigret Pond Oyster Holdings location in Charlestown, Rhode Island. This project will replace 41,247 kWh (119%) per year and realize $6,577 of saving per year.
• Gnarly Vines Farm, located in Tiverton, has received a grant in the amount of $6,787. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 10.24-kW solar array. This project will realize $2,746 per year in savings and will replace 16,003 kWh (100 %) per year. Gnarly Vines Farm is a family owned and operated meat farm in Tiverton.
• Barrington Farm School, located in Barrington, has received a grant in the amount of $3,828. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 2.48 kW solar array on the 3-acre organic farm used to power an irrigation system. This project will replace 3,085 kWh per year.
• Wild Harmony Farm, LLC, located in Exeter, has received a grant in the amount of $14,475. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a Roof-Mounted 31.96 kW solar array. This project will replace 35,874 kWh (69%) per year and realize $6,098 of saving per year. Wild Harmony Farm provides certified organic pork, chicken, and eggs.
• Skydog Farm and Kitchen, located in North Scituate, has received a grant in the amount of $9,405. This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a Roof Mounted 8.6 kW solar array. This project will replace 10,026 kWh (95%) per year and realize $2,105 of saving per year.
For more information on the REAP Program, contact Jonathan Burns, Renewable Energy Coordinator, at (508) 295-5151 x 7238 or jonathan.burns@usda.gov.
The department is announcing investments today in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
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/ri.
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.
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