By Jamie Martin
Secretary Tom Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced significant investments totaling $163 million to boost clean energy initiatives in rural areas across 39 states and Guam. These efforts, part of President’s Inflation Reduction Act, aim to reduce energy costs and generate economic growth in rural communities.
The funding, delivered through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and its Technical Assistance Grant Program, will support 338 clean energy projects. These initiatives include the installation of solar arrays, energy-efficient equipment, and other renewable energy technologies, reflecting the largest-ever U.S. investment in climate crisis mitigation.
Projects like the one at T&S Farms in Georgia, where a $158,503 grant will fund a new solar array, exemplify the program's impact. This installation alone is expected to save $22,500 annually and power 18 homes.
Furthering the administration's commitment to environmental justice, Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Maine will use a $100,000 grant to help rural businesses and agricultural producers, especially those in distressed communities, to access clean energy grants.
This initiative not only reduces operational costs for small businesses and farmers but also enhances their sustainability and resilience against climate change.
The broader goal includes fostering job creation and ensuring long-term economic prosperity in America's rural heartlands.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National