US+Department+of+Agriculture

Sustainability-(w)

Independence-(w)

Mandates-(w)

Incentives-(w)

__Todd Roberson__ United States. Dept. of Agriculture. Office of Rural Development. “Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant.” 20 June 2007. 

(Sustainability, independence, incentives) In 2005, USDA Office of Rural Development made available $22.8 million in competitive grant funds and guaranteed loans for the purchase of renewable energy systems and energy improvements for agricultural producers and small rural businesses. The project must occur in a rural area and implement pre-commercial or commercially available and replicable technology. Research and development does not qualify. The applicant must provide at least 75% of eligible project costs, and grant assistance to a single individual or entity can not exceed $750,000. Eligible projects include biofuels, hydrogen, and energy efficiency improvements, as well as solar, geothermal, and wind.