Source: USDA, 9/18/14

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing in 540 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide.
 
“These loan guarantees and grants will have far-reaching impacts nationwide, particularly in the rural communities where these projects are located,” Vilsack said. “Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency will continue the unprecedented increase in home-grown energy sources and American energy independence we’ve seen in recent years. This is creating jobs, providing new economic opportunities and leading the way to a more secure energy future.”
 
Secretary Vilsack made the announcement while in North Carolina to highlight USDA's investments in rural renewable energy projects, as part of the Obama Administration's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy. It is the most recent of a series of USDA actions to strengthen the country’s energy sector. Two weeks ago, Vilsack announced a $105 million loan guarantee to a company that will produce jet fuel from municipal solid waste.
 
Today’s funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP was created by the 2008 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the recently passed 2014 Farm Bill. 

The announcement comes on a day when President Obama is announcing new executive actions to further advance the development of solar technologies across the country. These new investments in solar will reduce America's energy consumption, cut carbon pollution by nearly 300 million metric tons – equivalent to taking more than 60 million cars off the road for a year – and save businesses nearly $45 billion on their energy bills. The renewed effort to invest in solar energy also includes commitments from a broad coalition of 50 public and private sector partners, including leading industry, community development organizations and housing providers in 28 states. To learn more about this new Obama Administration initiative to increase the use of solar power, visit the White House website.
 
“USDA is proud to play a key role in Obama Administration’s efforts to promote the use of solar technologies," Vilsack said. "Of the REAP projects funded today, 240 projects are for solar investments of $5.2 million in grants and $55.3 million in loans.” 
 
During Secretary Vilsack's trip to North Carolina, he visited Progress Solar in Bunn, N.C., which received a $3.4 million REAP loan guarantee in 2012 for installation of a solar array. Progress Solar now produces enough solar energy to power 540 average-sized homes each year. The 4.5 megawatt array was developed by North Carolina-based O2 Energies, Inc. The Progress Solar site is a dual-use solar power plant and a working farm where a 10th generation farming family raises free range sheep and lambs. The project serves as a test site for herd management best practices on a solar farm, and the goal is to model future collaborative efforts that marry solar-energy production with agriculture production. This is the seventh solar farm venture that O2 Energies has developed in North Carolina.
 
In North Carolina alone, Vilsack announced $55.3 million in new REAP program loan guarantees and grants for 22 solar energy projects. For example, USDA is awarding a $3 million loan guarantee to Broadway Solar Center, LLC to help finance a 5 megawatt solar array in Columbus County, a $4.9 million loan guarantee for a similar project in Hertford County and a $2.1 million guarantee for a project in Warren County.
 
In total, Vilsack announced $68 million in REAP loan guarantees and grants today. Funding is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
 
Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen, and geothermal.
 
Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has supported more than 8,800 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide. During this period, USDA has provided more than $276 million in grants and $268 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners.

President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

NC ALBEMARLE SOLAR CENTER, LLC $3,000,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY
NC ALLRED, DAVID L $16,157  ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRAIN DRYER

NC BISCOE OWNER, LLC  $3,201,011 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR PV

NC BLIZZARD, O.R. $12,383  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION CENTER PIVOT - 4 HOUSES

NC BROADWAY SOLAR CENTER, LLC  $3,000,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC BRYANT & YOUNG LUMBER COMPANY INC. $8,405  ENERGY EFFICIENCY LIGHTING

NC CARTER III, JOHN W $20,975  ENERGY EFFICIENCY CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

NC DAVIS, JOHN W $22,050  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION CENTER PIVOT NC DOWNS FARM OWNER, LLC  $4,900,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC FLS OWNER 170, LLC  $1,238,088 SOLAR 1.99 MW SOLAR PV

NC FLS OWNER 200, LLC  $2,479,458 SOLAR 200 SOLAR PV 4.32 MW

NC FLS OWNER 260, LLC  $3,600,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC GAINS, DONNA $4,587  SOLAR SMALL SOLAR ARRAY

NC GILLAM, WILEY B. $11,239  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION-CENTER PIVOT

NC INDIAN NECK FARMS, INC. $34,567  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION

NC INNOVATIVE OWNER 14, LLC  $1,252,339 SOLAR 1.99 MW PV

NC INNOVATIVE OWNER 15, LLC  $1,240,101 SOLAR 1.99 MW SOLAR

NC JOYNER'S SUPERMARKET, INC. $34,300  ENERGY EFFICIENCY REFRIGERATION AND LIGHTING

NC LOWE, LENA C $17,524  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION-CENTER PIVOT

NC MILTON R WILLIAMS II, INC. $2,880  ENERGY EFFICIENCY LED LIGHTING
NC MURFREESBORO FARMS, INC $2,531  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION PUMP
NC NEIL WHITFIELD FARMS, LLC $14,910  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION
NC NICK OWNER, LLC  $3,189,318 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR

NC PERRY, ALLEN CRAIG $9,371  ENERGY EFFICIENCY FISH POND AERATION CONTROL

NC SELMA OWNER, LLC  $3,249,239 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR PV

NC SOLNCPOWER1O WNER, LLC  $4,600,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC SOLNCPOWER2O WNER, LLC  $5,000,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC SOUL CITY, LLC  $2,100,000 SOLAR 3.5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC STAGECOACH OWNER, LLC  $3,400,000 SOLAR 4.5 MW SOLAR ARRAY  

NC STALLINGS, FRANKLIN S $18,100  ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRAIN DRYER

NC STEVENS MILL POULTRY, INC $49,700  SOLAR 14.4 kW SOLAR ARRAY

NC STEVENS, GEORGE $49,700  SOLAR 14.4 kW SOLAR PV ARRAY

NC TOM WHITFIELD FARMS, LLC $12,031  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION CENTER PIVOT

NC TURKEY BRANCH OWNWER, LLC  $3,150,446 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR PV

NC VAN SLYKE SOLAR CENTER, LLC  $3,000,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC VICKSBURG OWNER, LLC  $3,600,000 SOLAR 5 MW SOLAR ARRAY

NC WALNUT HOLLOW RANCH, LLC $7,500  SOLAR SMALL SOLAR ARRAY

NC WARD, JONATHAN D $37,769  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION

NC WBW FARMS, INC. $12,321  ENERGY EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION