USDA Invests $121 Million in Infrastructure to Combat Climate Cha

The Department of Agriculture this week announced $121 million in funding for “critical infrastructure” to combat climate change in rural America. The investments include $111 million for 289 projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.

“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh said. “The Biden-Harris Administration has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure. The investments we’re announcing today and those that will be made possible by historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs and save Americans money on their energy costs.”

Millions of dollars will come to the three Northwest states for a host of projects. A few of those projects include:

In Oregon:

$100,000 will be used to provide additional financing to Clackamas Community College. This project continues Clackamas Community College's efforts in providing renewable energy technical assistance to rural small businesses and agriculture producers throughout the entire state of Oregon. They will use established communication channels, leverage existing relationships, share information about financial incentive programs, participate in peer-topeer education, and are committed to assisting Hispanic, Spanish and Latino operators in Oregon. Clackamas Community College plans to engage at least 100 of Oregon's rural small businesses and agricultural producers. It will provide at least 30 of these intakes with project specific consultations. Through providing targeted project assistance, Clackamas Community College will help rural small businesses and agricultural producers understand and apply for renewable energy project funding. Clackamas Community College will be contributing $20,000 towards this project.

Nearly $14,000 will be used to help Jeremiah Inc dba American Onsite purchase and install a 24.3-kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV. This funding will help American Onsite, a septic repair and maintenance business located in the rural town of Molalla in northwestern Oregon, develop a renewable energy system. The system will generate 29,6799 kilowatt hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power three typical U.S. homes. The solar array will replace 100 percent of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $3,137 per year.

Over $10,000 to help Bee Way Honey Pollination Inc. purchase and install a 15.7-kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV. Bee Way Honey Pollination Inc. is a bee keeping and honey producing business in the rural town of Damascus. The system will generate 15,175 kilowatt hours of renewable electricity per year, which is enough to power one typical U.S. homes. The solar array will replace 97% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its utility bill by $1,669 per year.

Nearly $6,500 will be used to help a grain, seed, and crop farm in the rural town of Terrebonne in central Oregon develop an energy system. Big Falls Ranch Co. will use these funds to purchase and install a 150 HP well pump. The system will save 41,511 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power five typical U.S. homes. The well pump will lower the business's energy use by 12%, reducing its utility bill by $2,632 per year.

In Washington:

$100,000 will be used to help Pierce Conservation District outreach to 100 farmers, ranchers and small businesses. The project intends to provide technical assistance with renewable energy and/or energy efficiency systems throughout the State of Washington. This project will partner with Spark Northwest and Snohomish Conservation District to provide site assessments to include financial options of loans, grants, incentives, as well as information for permitting and other application processes. In addition, these site assessments will provide analysis to make energy-efficiency improvements to these operations and/or install renewable energy systems. This project will provide project development assistance to 26 or more rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

$100,00 will go to fund energy audits to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in San Juan County. Orcas Power & Light Cooperative is a utility provider in the County. The project will provide approximately 20 energy audits to eligible businesses.

In Idaho:

$20,000 will be used to help purchase and install a combination Solar Thermal/Electric system on their newly constructed shop. Bootleg Inc. is a family-owned small arms business located in Ada County. This project aims to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities and advance energy security by boosting production of energy from natural gas, oil coal, nuclear, and/or renewables. This project will save the business $8,000 and will generate 100,000 kWh per year.

$20,000 will also be used to help KM Farms purchase and install a combination Solar Thermal/Electric system on their newly constructed shop. KM Farms is a family-owned small row crops farm located in Canyon County. This project aims to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities and advance energy security by boosting production of energy from natural gas, oil coal, nuclear, and/or renewables. This project will save the business $8,000 and will generate 80,000 kWh per year.

Another $20,000 will go to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. The Farm LLC is a family-owned Vegetable & Melon farm located in Payette County. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a combination Solar Thermal/Electric system on their newly constructed shop. This project meets the Agency's Key Priorities of reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities and advances energy security by boosting production of energy from natural gas, oil coal, nuclear, and/or renewables. This project will save the business $13,333 and will generate 133,333 kWh per year.

Nearly $20,000 will be used to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Peter Boerma is an individually owned electric generation business located in Teton County. Project funds will be used to purchase and install an 11 kW & 14 kW system on farmers buildings to produce energy. This project meets the Agency's Key Priorities of reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities and advances energy security by boosting production of energy from natural gas, oil coal, nuclear, and/or renewables. This project will save the business $3,125 and will generate 31,752 kWh per year.

And nearly $13,000 will be used to purchase and install a ground mounted 27.3 kWh solar electric system. Craigside Downs LLC is a small family-owned hay producing business located in Ada County. This project aims to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities and advance energy security by boosting production of energy from natural gas, oil coal, nuclear, and/or renewables. The business will save $4,173 annually and replace 39,000 kwh (100%) per year.

For a complete breakdown of projects receiving funding nationwide, check out Rural Development's Website.

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