USDA Awards Funding for Renewable, Energy-efficient Projects

0 Comments | Renewable Energy Today, Sept 22, 2004

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $22 million in grants to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the 2002 Farm Bill, a federal program aimed at supporting clean energy initiatives throughout the rural U.S.

"The farm economy has been hit hard by high energy prices, which also affect fertilizer and other costs," said ACEEE deputy director William Prindle. "This program helps farmers control costs, which reduces inflationary pressure on food prices."

ACEEE said although the 2005 program budget is only an estimated $20 million, the organization's industry program director Neal Elliott believes that "a program that contributes to rural America's economic stability should continue to be funded to the full $23 million as mandated by Congress in the 2002 Farm Bill."

Contact: Elizabeth Brown, ACEEE, phone 202-429-8873.

(EIN STAFF: 9/20)