USDA Awards $6.9 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Funding

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that 27 individuals and businesses in seven states have been selected to receive $6.9 million in loans and grants for renewable energy systems or to increase energy efficiency in farm and business operations. The funds are being provided under USDA Rural Development’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.

"The Bush administration is committed to providing more energy from within our nation’s borders, and these loan and grant combinations announced today will help accomplish this important goal" Schafer said.

The funding will support a variety of energy-production and energy-saving efforts. For example, Bach Digester LLC in Dorchester, Wis., will receive $800,000 in loans and grants to construct an anaerobic digester on a dairy farm. The gas produced from this digester will be used to power a 250 kW generator onsite and will produce 2,518,500 kWh/year.

In Falls, Vt., Daniel Thomas Burns will use a $17,162 loan/grant package to buy and install energy efficient reverse osmosis equipment, purchase a 1,500-gallon storage tank needed to wash the unit, and modify electrical and plumbing systems for a maple syrup business in Sheldon, Vt.

Conrad Brothers, in Rose Hill, Iowa, will receive a combination package of $47,472 to replace two 20-plus-year-old dryers with a new Grain Systems (GSI) dryer, and a wet holding tank. This project is expected to provide energy savings up to 51.47 percent.