USDA Announces Nearly $21 Million for Renewable Energy

0 Comments | Renewable Energy Today, Sept 19, 2005

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the selection of 150 applicants to receive nearly $21 million in USDA Rural Development grant assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 32 states.

"Enhancing America's energy independence is at the core of President Bush's comprehensive national energy policy," said Johanns. "That makes energy conservation and clean, renewable sources of domestically produced energy more important than ever. Renewable energy is also a major growth area for American farmers and a top priority for USDA."

According to USDA, the renewable energy and energy efficiency projects involve a range of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and conservation technologies. For example, Wasatch Wind, LLC will receive $500,000 in funding for the first phase of a wind energy generation project to be located at Spanish Fork Canyon, UT. Combined with matching funds, the USDA grant will result in the construction of a 1.5-megawatt wind generation tower, the first of 10 towers planned for the site. Additionally, Ketchum, ID-based Synthetic Energy, Inc. will receive $199,863 to purchase wind turbines to power a commercial hydrogen generator.

A list of the remaining 148 recipients, including farmers, co-ops and rural small businesses, can be found online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Contact: Ed Loyd, USDA, phone 202-720-4263

(EIN STAFF: 9/14)