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USDA
RURAL DE
V
ELOPMENT
UNDER SECRETARY HIGHLIGHTS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS IN
MINNESOTA
Agency
has Awarded Nearly $14 Million in Renewable Energy Funds to
Minnesota
since 2003
ST. PAUL
,
Minn.
Oct. 20, 2005
– Agriculture Under Secretary for
Rural Development Thomas Dorr discussed USDA’s efforts to promote renewable
energy projects today at a State Capitol news conference.
Since USDA Rural Development began its renewable energy grant program in
2003, over $66.6 million in funding has been awarded nationwide. Of that amount,
Minnesota
has been awarded over $13.8 million.
“Developing new sources of energy is a critical national priority,”
said Dorr. “Renewable energy is increasingly important to the economic future
of our rural communities and it is a new revenue source for our nation’s
farmers. Enhancing
America
's energy independence is at the core of
President Bush's comprehensive national energy policy.”
Much of the funding awarded in
Minnesota
has gone to wind energy or methane
digester projects. USDA Rural Development awarded Community Wind North in
Lincoln
County
$3,935,000 in grants this year to build
15 two-megawatt turbines that will be locally owned. Three other Renewable
Energy grants were also awarded in
Minnesota
. Nationwide,
154 grants totaling over $22.2 million were awarded under the program.
“President
Bush has provided strong leadership in the area of renewable energy,” said
Steve Wenzel
, State Director of USDA Rural Development in
Minnesota
. “We’ve been able to deliver over 21 percent
of USDA Rural Development’s renewable energy grants here to
Minnesota
. That’s quite an exciting accomplishment for
Minnesota
’s rural communities.”
Thomas Dorr, Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development,
highlights Minnesota success in USDA Rural Development's renewable
energy programs. |
Carol Molnau, Lt. Governor of Minnesota, introduced Under
Secretary Dorr and highlighted the state's role in developing renewable
energy ventures in Minnesota. |
Community Wind North is a 15-turbine wind project in Southwestern
Minnesota. State Director Wenzel, Lt. Gov. Molnau and Under Secretary
Dorr are in the middle of this picture with the owners of turbines in
the project. |
Steve Wenzel, State Director of Rural Development in Minnesota,
introduces Lt. Gov. Molnau. |
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