The USDA is funding more than 700 clean energy projects to help lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels, create new jobs, and find new market opportunities for farmers and ranchers.
Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced more than $238 million in loans and grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. “As we celebrated Earth Day, we’re excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy, and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient,” Torres Small says.
$194 million in loans and grants will be available through the REAP program to support projects in 35 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is also investing $43 million in grants through the HBIIP to business owners that will help increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 15 states.