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02 Apr 2024

USDA Announces $120 Million In REAP Awards

02 Apr 2024  by biomassmagazine   
The USDA On March 28 awarded more than $120 million through the Rural Energy for America Program to 541 projects spanning 44 states. Several bioenergy projects are among those selected to receive funding.

The REAP program provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are directly benefitting from both a clean energy economy and a strong U.S. supply chain,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The investments announced today will expand access to renewable energy systems and domestic fertilizer, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities.”

Bioenergy projects selected to receive funding include:

Connecticut-based J. Defrancesco & Son Inc. was awarded a $90,734 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace boiler system for its greenhouse operation. The project is expected to generate 3.98 million Btus of energy per year, which is enough electricity to power 107 homes.

Idaho-based Boulter Creek Idaho Properties LLC was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace to provide additional heat to the company’s facility that hosts retreats, weddings, conferences and rental of a commercial kitchen. The project is expected to save $1,743 per year and will replace 2,390 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, accounting for 21% of the facility’s energy use.

Idaho-based Boulder Creek Oz LLC was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a biomass furnace to provide additional heat the company’s cabins and mountain lodging facilities. The project is expected to save $3,853 per year and will replace 3,733 KWh per year, or 94% of the company’s annual energy use.

Kentucky-based Bluegrass Biochar LLC was awarded a $27,000 grant to support the purchase and installation of a 11.2 kW solar system at the biochar manufacturing facility. The project is expected to save $2,115 per year in energy costs and generate 14.660 kWh of energy per year, which is enough to power 1.34 homes.

Wisconsin-based Dairyland Biogas LLC was awarded a $500,000 grant to support the installation of energy efficiency equipment on its anaerobic digester. The project is expected to save $115,796 per year. It will replace 5.36 kWh per year, which equates to 88% of the business’s energy use, enough to power 494 homes.

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