Submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $124 million in in 541 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) projects across 44 states (including 10 projects in Washington) to help lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses.

“Great news for people in rural Washington and the planet,” said Helen Price Johnson, State Director for USDA Rural Development in Washington State. “Powering people with modern, renewable energy infrastructure creates good-paying jobs and supports opportunities for economic prosperity.”

Through the REAP program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy, and make energy-efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs. In this round, USDA investments over $1 million will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities across Washington State.

The local projects are:

• Oak Knoll LLC, based in rural San Juan County, will invest $13,371 to install an 18.3 kW solar array, leading to savings of $413.55 per year and replacing or generating 9,200 kWh annually, ensuring 100% energy savings, equivalent to powering one home.

• Ledger Investments LLC, situated in rural San Juan County, will receive $13,120 to implement energy-efficient upgrades, focusing on HVAC heat pump installation, resulting in yearly savings of $870 and reducing energy usage by 23%, equivalent to 7,600 kWh per year.

• Lopez Garage LLC, operating in rural San Juan County, will utilize $52,913 to implement energy-efficient upgrades, specifically installing a 33.255 kW PV solar array, resulting in $120 savings per year and generating 33,000 kWh annually, enough to power three homes.

Other projects include:

• Olson Family Farms LLC in rural Skagit County will receive $19,923 to purchase and install an 11.7 kW solar photovoltaic array, leading to yearly savings of $1,300 and generating 12,200 kWh, enhancing energy efficiency.

• Fairchild Cinemas Inc., situated in rural Grant County, is granted $312,327 to implement energy-efficient upgrades including HVAC systems and projectors, projecting savings of $8,313 per year and a reduction of 41% in energy usage, equivalent to powering at least 17 homes annually.

• Deep Harvest Farm, located in rural Island County, will utilize $8,753 to procure and install a renewable energy system, particularly a 12 kW solar array, resulting in yearly savings of $800 and replacing 7,000 kWh, achieving a 59% energy savings, enough to power one home.

• Bethany Lael dba Lael’s Moon Garden Nursery, located in rural Thurston County, will receive $16,050 to purchase and install an 11.48 kW solar array, leading to annual savings of $1,224 and replacing or generating 11,525 kWh, achieving 130% energy savings, equivalent to powering one home.

• Cielo LLC dba Aluve Wine, situated in rural Walla Walla County, is granted $30,180 to procure and install a 30.72 kW solar array, resulting in annual savings of $2,400 and replacing 31,660 kWh per year, ensuring an 87% reduction in energy usage, enough to power three homes.

• Fat-Cat Fish LLC, a pet food company located in rural Whatcom County, will utilize $4,409 to implement energy-efficient upgrades, focusing on HVAC system installation, resulting in yearly savings of $890 and replacing 8,414 kWh per year, achieving a 1% energy savings.

• Kershaw Fruit & Cold Storage Co. LLC, operating in rural Yakima County, will receive $612,250 to procure and install a 550 kW solar array, resulting in yearly savings of $57,426 and replacing or generating 835,605 kWh annually, ensuring a 20% energy savings, equivalent to powering 83 homes.

Projects recently announced are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis, through the REAP Program. In total, this funding advances the President’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up by increasing competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs and expanding clean energy.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are directly benefitting from both a clean energy economy and a strong U.S. supply chain,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. “The investments announced today will expand access to renewable energy systems and domestic fertilizer, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities. ”Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $1.8 billion through REAP in over 6,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income and strengthen their resiliency of operations.

USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are having an impact on rural America.

To learn more about USDA Rural Development, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wa.