USDA allocates USD 207m to renewable energy, fertiliser projects

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday announced USD 207 million (EUR 190m) in funding for renewable energy and domestic fertiliser projects that will reduce energy costs and improve competition for rural business owners and farms.

The funds are awarded through the Rural Energy for America Programme (REAP) and the Fertiliser Production Expansion Programme (FPEP).

The REAP investments total USD 157 million, including more than USD 94 million from the Inflation Reduction Act, and will back 675 projects in 42 states. For example, a grant will allow a wastewater treatment facility in Colorado’s La Plata County to benefit from a solar array, while a soybean farm in Pennsylvania is set to install a 1,248-kW solar system.

The FPEP funding of USD 50 million will support seven projects in seven states. These include a project by Biogas Corp to purchase and install a new anaerobic digestion facility in Monroe County, North Carolina that will produce organic fertiliser and ammonium sulfate, as well generate 55,000 MWh of clean energy per year to be supplied to Duke Energy Carolinas.

"President Biden and USDA are ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are not only a part of the clean energy economy, but directly benefitting from it,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The investments announced will expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertiliser production, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities,” Vilsack added.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.918)

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