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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 1, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES
AVAILABILITY
OF
RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
GRANTS
Program Focuses on Energy Independence ,
Stronger Rural Economy
Topeka, KS -
USDA Rural Development Chuck Banks today invited Kansas agricultural producers
and rural small business owners to make application for funding under the
Agency’s Renewable
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program. Earlier this
week USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced the availability of $22.8 million
in funding to support investments in renewable energy systems and energy
efficiency improvements undertaken by eligible agricultural producers and
rural small businesses.
In announcing the availability of funding under the Renewable
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program, Secretary Johanns
commented, “Enhancing our energy efficiency is a key goal of the
Bush Administration. Renewable energy is an exciting growth frontier for
American agriculture. Implementing an innovative energy policy, which the
President has proposed, provides an opportunity to strengthen both our
national security and the rural economy.”
State Director Banks added, “The Renewable
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program provides
Kansas farmers and ranchers, along with rural businesses and individuals,
the opportunity to receive funding assistance to harness the untapped renewable
energy resources available across the State. Establishing renewable energy
opportunities and enhancing energy efficiency can also provide additional
economic development opportunities for Kansas .”
Section 9006 of
the 2002 Farm Bill established the Renewable Energy
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program to encourage agricultural
producers and small rural businesses to create renewable energy and energy
efficient systems. The funds announced will be available to support a wide
range of technologies encompassing biomass (including anaerobic digesters),
geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency
improvements. To date, through this program the Bush Administration has
invested nearly $45 million in 32 states.
The $22.8 million announced this
week will be made available in two stages. One-half of the announced funding,
consisting of $11.4 million, is available immediately for competitive grants.
Renewable energy grant applications must be for a minimum of $2,500 and
a maximum of $500,000. Energy efficiency grant applications may range from
$2,500 to $250,000. Grant applications under the Program may not exceed
25% of the eligible project cost. Applications must be submitted to the
USDA Rural Development state office in Topeka, with a postmark no later
than June 27, 2005. Detailed program requirements and application information
was included in the March 28, 2005 publication of the Federal Register;
this information can be accessed through the Agency’s
website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
The remaining $11.4 million announced will be set aside through August 31,
2005 to guarantee loans to help finance new renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects. Final details on how to apply for these funds will be published
in the Federal Register later this year. Any funds not obligated under the
guarantee loan program by August 31, 2005, will be reallocated to the competitive
grant program as of that date.
Kansas informational meetings covering details
of the grant portion of this program will be scheduled by the Agency and
announced in the near future. Parties who have an interest in this program
may contact the USDA Rural Development state office in Topeka at 785-271-2744.
USDA
Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support
increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural
residents. As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development has invested
over $50 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide
equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership,
business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.
As a result of these investments, over 800,000 jobs have been created or
saved throughout rural America. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office, by calling the Agency’s
state office at 785-271-2700, or by visiting Agency’s
Kansas website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the Future of Rural Communities.
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