Oregon DOE Helping Ag Business Be More Efficient

Federal money is available to help agriculture-related businesses in Oregon become more energy efficient.  Stephanie Kruse, with Oregon’s Department of Energy, says grants are for assessments to help determine helpful changes.

“Replacing pumps for an irrigation system. That might be making some changes to how the motors operate on a big piece of agricultural equipment that processes seeds, for example, separates the seeds from the husks.

Grants are awarded by the Oregon Department of Energy, which received $100,000 from the USDA for the program.  The funds are available for any rural small business or farm.

“It can help them secure regular loans through their financial institution by giving a professional stamp of approval by saying ‘yes, this is actually going to save X-amount of money,’ and that savings could help support paying back a loan.”

Kruse says the assessment is also “required” for businesses applying for federal grants to cover the cost of the work itself.  Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses are invited to complete an interest form for energy assessment funding.

Click Here to learn more about the program.

Click Here for an interest form.

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