USDA Announces Investment in Clean Energy and Domestic Biofuels to Strengthen American Farms and Small Businesses

On April 23rd, U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding more than 700 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Twenty-five projects were funded in California, including projects located in the RCRC-member counties of Lake, Monterey, Placer, Plumas, and Solano. Investments in California totaled more than $15 million.  

USDA is providing a total of $238 million in funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies.  For additional information, contact RCRC Policy and Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will.