USDA funds renewable, efficiency projects

OREANDA-NEWS. August 12, 2015. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded \\$63mn in loans and grants to 264 renewable and energy efficiency projects in rural communities.

Most of the money, \\$59.4mn, went to loan guarantees, the largest of which was \\$5mn for Concord Blue Energy's project in Arizona to convert wood into synthetic gas for energy production. Most of the loan guarantees went to solar projects in North Carolina, including \\$4mn for Southn Winston Farm for a 7MW project, the agency said on 7 August.

The department issued grants of about \\$20,000 or less each to a mix of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects located across Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, Nebraska and other states.

USDA estimates that the projects can produce up to 207.8mn KWh per year through a combination of generation or energy savings.

The department issued the loans and grants through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which supports rural small businesses and farmers that install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. The program provides funds for the purchase, installation and construction of projects including biomass, geothermal, hydropower projects of 30MW or less, hydrogen-fueled projects, ocean power technology, solar and wind. Funds for energy efficiency can be used for high efficiency heating, insulation, lighting, heating and cooling projects and other types.

The next round of applications for REAP grants are due on 2 November. Since the creation of the REAP program under the 2008 farm bill, the program has funded more than 9,600 renewable generation and energy efficiency projects.