USDA Invests USD 207 Million in Renewable Energy and Fertilizer Projects
The funding, part of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce energy bills, create jobs, and enhance competition for farmers and agricultural producers.
January 24, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a significant investment of USD 207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects.
The funding, part of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce energy bills, create jobs, and enhance competition for farmers and agricultural producers across 42 states.
“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,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The investments announced will expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertilizer 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.”
The investment, distributed through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), includes USD 157 million for 675 REAP projects and USD 50 million for seven FPEP projects.
REAP projects, aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, will cut energy costs for farmers, create jobs, and benefit disadvantaged communities. Examples include a solar array in Colorado, a soybean farm in Pennsylvania, and a refrigeration system in South Dakota.
FPEP investments will boost domestic fertilizer production, with projects like a fully automated facility in Nebraska and an anaerobic digestion facility in North Carolina expected to create jobs and contribute to clean energy production.
USDA's commitment to these initiatives reflects its focus on promoting clean energy, supporting domestic production, and fostering economic growth in rural communities.
The funding, part of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce energy bills, create jobs, and enhance competition for farmers and agricultural producers across 42 states.
“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,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The investments announced will expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertilizer 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.”
The investment, distributed through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), includes USD 157 million for 675 REAP projects and USD 50 million for seven FPEP projects.
REAP projects, aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, will cut energy costs for farmers, create jobs, and benefit disadvantaged communities. Examples include a solar array in Colorado, a soybean farm in Pennsylvania, and a refrigeration system in South Dakota.
FPEP investments will boost domestic fertilizer production, with projects like a fully automated facility in Nebraska and an anaerobic digestion facility in North Carolina expected to create jobs and contribute to clean energy production.
USDA's commitment to these initiatives reflects its focus on promoting clean energy, supporting domestic production, and fostering economic growth in rural communities.
If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content,
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.