Vilsack announces renewable energy funding recipients

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Nov. 10 that USDA has selected 67 projects for funding that focus on helping rural agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.

Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program, which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of the secretary while attending the Pennsylvania meeting of the National Rural Electric Association.

"The Obama Administration is committed to making America more energy efficient, and in doing so, more competitive by encouraging rural businesses to build renewable energy systems," Tonsager said. "The projects announced today will provide rural small businesses and agricultural producers the opportunity to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy system installations. Eligible intermediaries, such as universities, will receive funds to conduct energy audits which will lead to energy savings and initiatives that will reduce energy consumption for years to come."

Arbre Farms Corp. in Walkerville, Mich., was selected to receive $7,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing and operating an anaerobic digester that could produce and use biogas as a substitute for propane to power the farm's boilers. "Last year, these same feasibility study funds provided through REAP assisted in a tremendous year of anaerobic digester development and are an important first step in a successful renewable energy project," said Tonsager. "Construction is beginning on four USDA funded digester projects here in Pennsylvania and six digester projects next door in Ohio. These systems will provide additional farm income, contribute to better nutrient management, and produce clean, renewable electricity for thousands of homes in the community."

Today's announcement is in concert with an agreement signed by Secretary Vilsack in December, 2009. During climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, the secretary signed a historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement between USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy calls for the parties to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms by 25 percent by 2020.

Tonsager said that Pennsylvania State University has been selected to receive a $99,676 grant to conduct a statewide initiative that offers technical assistance and workforce solutions through energy audits. Saint Francis University, also in Pennsylvania, was selected to receive $100,000 to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and cost through technical assistance provided by the university.

In Charleston, W. Va., the West Virginia Division of Energy has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to complete 130 energy audits for rural small businesses to help them reduce energy usage and operating costs. Boise State University in Idaho was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to offer energy savings information and energy audits to more than 1,500 manufacturing-related agricultural producers and small business in the state.

With today's announcement, USDA is awarding more than $2.4 million in energy audits grants, Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants; and more than $1.2 million to support feasibility study projects.

Funding is made available through the REAP under the 2008 Farm Bill. REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, renewable energy development assistance and energy audits. More information on the REAP program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.html. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions for the grant. The following is a complete list of award recipients announced today.

Feasibility Study Recipients by State

Colorado

• Northern Colorado WindPower, LLC – $50,000

Hawaii

• Frank A. Cipriani dba Biofarms Hawaii, LLC – $14,255
• Tawn I. Kenney dba The Honoka'a People's Theater – $1,041
• Pacific Light and Power Inc. – $35,338

Iowa

• Plymouth Energy LLC – $9,829

Idaho

• Don W. Gilbert Hydro Power LLC – $14,650
• Elizabeth Olson – $1,600

Indiana

• e-Biofuels LLC – $3,149

Maine

• Corinth Wood Pellets LLC – $9,000

Maryland

• Berrywine Plantations Inc., dba Linganore Winecellars – $11,625

Michigan

• Arbre Farms Corp. – $7,000
• Lowell Light and Power – $30,000
• Suburban Aviation Inc. – $10,000

Minnesota

• Little Rock Wind LLC – $50,000
• Norfolk Wind Energy LLC – $50,000
• Whirlwind Energy LLC – $50,000

Nebraska

• Growth Design Energy Nebraska LLC – $10,000

New Jersey

• Renu Energy Inc. – $50,000

North Dakota

• Carrie Piper Cummer – $10,000

Oregon

• Donald G. Averill – $27,500

Puerto Rico

• Recast Energy LLC – $9,575

Rhode Island

• Global Imaging Holdings Realty LLC – $50,000
• Plain Lane Acres LLC – $50,000

South Dakota

• Blue Cloud Wind LLC – $50,000
• Dakota Wind Energy LLC – $50,000
• Flandreau Windfarm LLC – $50,000
• Northern Wind, LLC – $50,000
• West Pipestone Creek LLC – $50,000

Texas

• Gulf Coast Wind LLC – $31,296
• Hall Brothers Partnership – $25,000
• Midwest Renewable Energy Inc., – $50,000
• Mr. E. Green Inc. – $31,938
• Wind Miner, LLC – $29,114

Utah

• K.C. Ranches Inc. – $50,000
• Ticaboo Electric Improvement District – $50,000

Vermont

• Green Mountain Clean Energy LLC – $50,000
• Lemington Solar Farm LLC – $15,000

Virginia

• Burnshire Hydroelectric LLC – $10,000

Washington

• SKS Management LLC – $43,750

Western Pacific

• Ocean Thermal Energy Corp. – $50,000

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Recipients by State

Alabama

• University of Alabama – $97,500

Colorado

• Colorado State University – $37,500
• Delta-Montrose Electric Association – $97,325

Georgia

• The University of Georgia –$100,000

Hawaii

• Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; State Energy Office – $100,000

Idaho

• Boise State University – $100,000

Indiana

• Purdue University – $96,531

Iowa

• Department of Natural Resources – $99,552
• Department of Economic Development – $32,875

Kentucky

• University of Louisville Research Foundation Inc. – $100,000

Maine

• Greater Portland Council of Governments – $100,000
• Efficiency Maine Trust – $100,000

Michigan

• Michigan State University –$100,000

Minnesota

• Regents of the University of Minnesota – $100,000

Nevada

• Nevada System of Higher Education Desert Research Institute –$99,935

New Mexico

• Regents of New Mexico State University/Institute for Energy and the Environment – $100,000

North Carolina

• Land of Sky Regional Council – $99,825
• North Carolina State University – $100,000

Oregon

• Oregon Institute of Technology – $100,000
• Oregon State University – $74,209

Pennsylvania

• The Pennsylvania State University – $99,676
• Saint Francis University – $100,000

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council Inc. – $50,000

Washington

• Washington State Department of Commerce – $100,000
• Washington State University – $100,000

West Virginia

• West Virginia Division of Energy – $100,000

Wyoming

• Office of Research, University of Wyoming –$60,000