Source: USDA, 1/19/22 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack
today announced that the Department is making up to $10 million available to
help people living in rural towns develop community renewable energy projects
that will help them cut their energy costs and contribute to the nationwide
effort to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change. These funds will
be targeted to help people who live in communities that have been historically
underinvested and disinvested.USDA is making the funds available through the new Rural Energy Pilot Program to help the people of rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before. Through this program, USDA is supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to making environmental justice a part of every agency’s mission to address the disproportionate health, environmental, economic and climate impacts on disadvantaged communities. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is providing grant assistance for people who live in particularly underserved rural towns to help them cut their household energy costs and address climate change at the local level,” Vilsack said. “As we continue to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, USDA is targeting resources and investments to help meet our nation’s energy needs and combat climate change. The new program we’re announcing today will pilot the viability of community-scale renewable energy investments to mitigate the energy-burdened circumstances of particularly disadvantaged rural communities. This assistance will help to keep people in their hometowns by supporting good-paying jobs, business opportunities, and a more affordable cost of living.” Background: USDA will make up to $10 million in grants available to
particularly underserved rural communities. The funds can be used to deploy
community-scale renewable energy technologies and innovations to reduce climate
pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. These
technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, micro-hydroelectric and
biomass/bioenergy. Up to 20% of awarded funds may also be used for community
energy planning, capacity building, technical assistance, energy efficiency and
weatherization. USDA is offering priority points to
projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to
help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity and combat
climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for
projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America. Details on an upcoming informational webinar is forthcoming
and will be posted to the Rural Energy Pilot Program webpage. Prospective applicants must inform the Agency by submitting
a required Letter of Intent prior to submission of a complete application. The
letters must be submitted via electronic upload into a secure cloud vault, by
11:59 p.m. EST on April 19, 2022. Application guides and submission information are available
on the program website, under the To Apply tab, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-pilot-program. For additional information, see page 2747 of the Jan.
19 Federal Register (PDF, 278 KB). Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. This
assistance 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. For more
information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery
subscriber page.
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