Farm Energy News
New Farm BIll Program Can Advance Energy Crops
The 2008 Farm Bill contained the groundbreaking Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). This program can spur a new climate-friendly and farmer-friendly energy source. BCAP, implemented well, could make a major difference for our energy future.
REAP clean energy with prairie grasses today
While switchgrass is generally associated with ethanol production, a new report suggests that other uses, like pelletizing, can tap the energy source sooner, and perhaps, even more efficiently.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP, formerly Section 9006), part of the recently passed Farm Bill's Energy Title, has already funded pellet production projects and a number of pellet boiler installations. REAP could also become a prime resource for those who want to begin using energy crops for heating.
New Farm Bill Boosts Critical Clean Energy Investments
Today Congress overrode the President's veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, also known as the Farm Bill. The new legislation includes a significant clean energy development component - improved and new programs for wind power, advanced biofuels, energy efficiency, solar power and new energy crops for cleaner energy from America's farmers, ranchers and rural businesses.
2008 Farm Bill Is Now Law
With the Congressional override of President's veto of (most of) the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the new Farm Bill is now law. In clean energy matters this Farm Bill builds upon the first-ever Energy Title of the 2002 Farm Bill, providing new programs and a stronger federal commitment to farm-based energy.
Follow this page to find in-depth materials on the new Farm Bill clean energy programs. To go directly to ELPC's Farm Bill energy overview memo click here. (PDF format.)
Section 9006 Grants Deadline: June 16th
The 2008 clean energy grant program has been released. The next grant deadline is June 16th. See our Applications & Tools and the Incentives pages for rules, helpful tools and guides.
Farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses have new opportunities to install energy efficiency upgrades and new renewable energy systems. Now is the time to spread the word to those working on projects.
2008 Farm Bill Energy Title Quick Summary
The Farm Bill Conference Committee has finished their work resolving the differences between the House and Senate Farm Bills. We provide a summary of the Energy title programs.
Farm Bill would enhance rural America
Americans overwhelmingly agree that achieving more energy independence is necessary for our nation's safety, security and health. Clean wind power and biofuels development is the best strategy to get there. The Farm Bill's innovative clean-energy programs are a success story: good for farmers and ranchers, good for rural economic development and good for the environment.
By ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner.
Carolina dairies see fast payback from solar water systems
Solar energy provides long-term relief from escalating fossil fuel prices. Solar hot water is an economic way to use solar energy. Dairies, especially, have high hot water needs and can benefit. Section 9006 can help dairies build energy independence with solar! This article is by a former ELPC employee and solar expert, Gabriela Martin.
Rural Energy for America Program – We Can't Afford to Pinch Pennies
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) directly helps farmers and rural businesses develop farm-based clean energy opportunities.
The House and Senate Farm Bills give negotiators two different funding levels and implementation plans for REAP.
IREC: Wind Turbine Featured in Rural Cooperatives Magazine
Read about the wind turbine project completed by Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative with the support of a Section 9006 award in the November 2007 "Rural Cooperatives" magazine