The USDA On March 28 awarded more than $120 million through the Rural Energy for America Program to 541 projects spanning 44 states. Several bioenergy projects are among those selected to receive funding.&nbsp;The REAP program provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements.&nbsp;“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are directly benefitting from both a clean energy economy and a strong U.S. supply chain,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The investments announced today will expand access to renewable energy systems and domestic fertilizer, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities.”Bioenergy projects selected to receive funding include:&nbsp;<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Connecticut-based J. Defrancesco &amp; Son Inc. was awarded a $90,734 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace boiler system for its greenhouse operation. The project is expected to generate 3.98 million Btus of energy per year, which is enough electricity to power 107 homes.</li><li>Idaho-based Boulter Creek Idaho Properties LLC was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace to provide additional heat to the company’s facility that hosts retreats, weddings, conferences and rental of a commercial kitchen. The project is expected to save $1,743 per year and will replace 2,390 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, accounting for 21% of the facility’s energy use.&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Idaho-based Boulder Creek Oz LLC was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace to provide additional heat the company’s cabins and mountain lodging facilities. The project is expected to save $3,853 per year and will replace 3,733 KWh per year, or 94% of the company’s annual energy use.&nbsp;</li><li>Kentucky-based Bluegrass Biochar LLC was awarded a $27,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a 11.2 kW solar system at the biochar manufacturing facility. The project is expected to save $2,115 per year in energy costs and generate 14.660 kWh of energy per year, which is enough to power 1.34 homes.</li><li>Wisconsin-based Dairyland Biogas LLC was awarded a $500,000 grant to support the installation of energy efficiency equipment on its anaerobic digester. The project is expected to save $115,796 per year. It will replace 5.36 kWh per year, which equates to 88% of the business’s energy use, enough to power 494 homes.&nbsp;</li></ul>A full list of REAP awards is available on the USDA <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-final-fpep-reap.pdf">website</a>.

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The USDA On March 28 awarded more than $120 million through the Rural Energy for America Program to 541 projects spanning 44 states. Several bioenergy projects are among those selected to receive funding. 

USDA announces $120 million in REAP awards

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