Biden-Harris Administration Invests in Four Rural NM Businesses to Lower Energy Costs – Creating Jobs
Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen American Farms and Rural Small Business – Part of Investing in America Agenda
Federal Agency Press Release – From the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Albuquerque NM., Oct. 3, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business owners deserve affordable energy,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said. “That’s why, as the part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, I’m proud to announce an additional $104 million in REAP loans and grants that will lower energy costs for farmers and small business and help them expand their operations, all while tackling climate change.”
Today, USDA is investing $104 million in loans and grants that will support over 300 clean energy projects in 34 states. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. The projects also advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and the bottom up.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.3 billion through REAP in 7,923 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
Here are examples of the awards being announced today:
- Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, will use the $500,000 grant to provide energy assessments and technical assistance to 96 small business and agricultural producers throughout the state of New Mexico.
- Fraze Family LLC, was awarded $48,750 in grant funds to purchase and install a 30 kilowatt direct current photovoltaic system. This upgrade will create a $7,139 savings in their annual electric bill and save 52,371 kilowatt hours of electricity which is more than 124 percent of the electricity the business uses every year. Project is in Roosevelt county.
- Ed’s Cuban Café LLC, received two separate grants, $95,098 to purchase and install a R-34 roof insulation, R-15 wall insulation, heat pumps, MAU, DCV, walk-in refrigeration upgrades, reach-in freezer upgrades, and LED lighting. Which will create $148 in savings to their annual electric bill. As well as $135,180 to purchase and install a 52.8 kilowatt direct current photovoltaic system. Producing an additional $11,917 in annual electricity savings. The upgrade will create 98,732 kilowatt hours of electricity which is more than 126 percent of the electricity the business uses every year. Project is in Sandoval county.
- Purple Adobe Lavender Farm LLC, received $32,254 to upgrade their existing roof with a 7/8 corrugated-galvalume 24 gauge of 1,800 sf with foam closures, and synthetic paper for moisture barrier. This energy efficiency improvements will produce $38 in savings in their annual electric bill. Project is in Rio Arriba county.
The awards will benefit people in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.
USDA 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. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The program 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under 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.
To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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