Coalition wants Rural Energy for America Program to receive economic infusion

Rural Issue

Coalition wants Rural Energy for America Program to receive economic infusion

The Agriculture Energy Coalition wants Congress and the Biden administration to increase funding for USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Director Lloyd Ritter says the coalition, made up of many organizations in the ag energy and ag climate space, would like to see a financial infusion of more than $2 billion over ten years to the popular REAP program.

“Make it more sort of beneficial for rural communities, and really just be a big climate solution program in the ag and rural sector.”

He tells Brownfield without additional REAP dollars, people will continue to be turned away.

“Whether they just want to install a small-scale wind turbine on a farm, do a solar PV system or biogas system, there’s just not enough funds to make the program support all the levels of interest and good projects that are submitted to USDA for funding.”

The Ag Energy Coalition also recommends the long-term extension of clean energy tax credits, replenished funding for business and industry loan programs, and a new focus on sustainable aviation fuels.

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