Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

 

Solar PV panels funded by USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) administers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Originally established in Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill, the program was re-authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill under Section 9007. For information on the Farm Bill, click HERE.

 

Who is eligible to apply for REAP funding?

The program supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses. An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products that obtains at least 50 percent or greater of their gross income form their agriculture business. A small business is entity considered a small business in accordance with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) small business size standards (using NAICS codes). SBA standards can be found HERE. If a farm operation does not meet the program definition of an agricultural producer, it may apply as a rural small business, provided that it meets the applicable SBA standard.

• A private entity including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and a cooperative (including a cooperative qualified under section 501 (c) (12) of the Internal Revenue Code.)

An electrical utility, including a Tribal or governmental electric utility that provides service to rural consumers on a cost-of-service basis without support from public funds or subsidy form the Government authority establishing the district, provided such utilities meet SBA's definition of small business. These entities must operate independent of direct government control. With the exception of the entities described above, non-profit organizations and public entities are excluded.

 

Determining rural areas

To determine if a small business is located in a rural area, go to the Rural Business Service property eligibility web site located HERE.

Application Information and Forms

• Rural Energy for America Program Handout

• REAP Regulation

• Renewable Energy Simplified Grant Application Guidelines (Total Project Cost $200,000 or less)

• Energy Efficiency Simplified Grant Application Guidelines (Total Project Cost $200,000 or less)

• Renewable Energy Full Grant Application Guidelines (Total Project Cost Greater Than $200,000)

• Energy Efficiency Full Grant Application Guidelines (Total Project Cost Greater Than $200,000)

• Guaranteed Loan/Combination Loan and Grant Application Guidelines

• Grant Application and Construction Forms

 

Energy Program Staff

Scott Collins, Energy Coordinator
9025 River Road, Marcy, NY 13403
Phone: 315.736.3316 x127 | Fax: 315.736.5782
Scott.Collins@ny.usda.gov

Thomas B. Hauryski, Energy Specialist
415 W. Morris Street, Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607.776.7398 x132 | Fax: 607.776.7487
Thomas.Hauryski@ny.usda.gov

Gary Pereira, Energy Specialist
9025 River Road, Marcy, NY 13403
Phone: 315.736.3316 x129 | Fax: 315.736.5782
Gary.Pereira@ny.usda.gov

John Helgren, P.E, State Engineer
441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 477-6427 | Fax: (315) 477-6448
John.Helgren@ny.usda.gov