Press Release
☷DOE USDA Launch Initiative to Help Farmers Reduce Costs with Underutilized Renewable Technologies as part of President Biden s Investing in America Agenda
U.S. Department of Energy ( By Press Release office)
Feb 28,2024
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The U . S . Department of Energy ( DOE ) and the U . S . Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) have teamed up to help farmers save money and make more income by using renewable technologies like smaller - scale wind projects . The initiative , called Rural and Agricultural Income & Savings from Renewable Energy ( RAISE ) , aims to assist 400 individual farmers in deploying smaller - scale wind projects using USDA ' s Rural Energy for America Program ( REAP ) . This effort is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act , which allocated over $144 million in grant funding for underutilized technologies through the REAP program . Additionally , DOE is providing $4 million in funding to support testing , certification , and commercialization of distributed wind technologies , as well as outreach and development of new business models for farmers to benefit from these technologies . Both departments are excited about the potential to power rural communities with renewable energy and create economic opportunities for farmers . The Inflation Reduction Act is providing $75 million in grant funding for REAP projects that focus on underutilized technology , such as smaller - scale wind projects owned by farmers , small - scale hydropower , geothermal , biomass - based , and other clean energy initiatives . The DOE is specifically prioritizing technical assistance for smaller - scale wind projects and is offering funding for research on new business models for collaborations among farmers to generate income from distributed wind . Additionally , the DOE is calling for proposals for the Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project , which supports the development and commercialization of distributed wind technology , with a focus on the agricultural sector . The USDA and DOE are hosting webinars to provide information on their programs to farmers and rural electric cooperatives , and are developing a guide to distributed wind power for farmers . These initiatives aim to help farmers and rural communities save money and earn income from underutilized technologies , ultimately promoting energy independence and enhancing resilience . These projects not only create jobs and investments in rural economies , but also provide opportunities for farmers , rural electric coops , and food companies to address climate change . The Department of Energy ( DOE ) has collaborated with industry partners and National Labs to develop reliable and cost - effective distributed wind technologies . Additionally , USDA Rural Development offers loans and grants to support economic growth and improve quality of life in rural areas . Visit their website to learn more about their impact on rural America .
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