Farm Energy

The USDA has now released this year’s funding notice for feasibility studies under REAP – the Rural Energy for America Program. Feasibility studies evaluate the likelihood of renewable project success in consideration of technical, financial, management and other factors. USDA requires feasibility studies for project funding under REAP where project costs exceed $200,000.

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(May 27, 2010) Today the USDA released the FY2010 funding notice for grants under Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance (also known as “Energy Technical Assistance”). The deadline for applications is 4:30 PM on July 26, 2010.

Energy Technical Assistance was created under the 2008 Farm Bill and provides ways to identify cost-effective opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures by rural agricultural producers and rural small businesses. A total of $2.4 million is available under this program for 2010 and the maximum grant is $100,000.

The eligible organizations under this program include units of State, tribal, or local government; land-grant colleges and universities and other institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives; and public power entities.

Applicants should follow the guidelines in the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) carefully. The NOFA provides the criteria for scoring the competitive applications and information on how the application should be organized.

The NOFA can be downloaded here. (PDF format)

(April 26, 2010) Today, the USDA issued the Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The announcement can be downloaded here (PDF) and focuses on grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Two more notices are expected in the following days for energy technical assistance and for feasibility studies. (more…)

As many states are already learning, wind energy development presents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth. Environmental Law and Policy Center Senior Attorney John Moore says that’s especially true for the Midwest.

According to Moore, several government policies have helped spur the development of wind power in rural America. Listen to the interview on the Brian Allmer Radio Network (BARN).

ELPC’s newly updated Community Wind Financing Handbook is now available!  This hot-off-the-press guide reflects new financing opportunities available from federal energy and economic stimulus legislation, the new Farm Bill, and state incentives. (more…)

The USDA has now issued the forms that farmers and biomass conversion facilities need to apply for Collection, Harvest, Storage and Transportation (CHST) payments under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

The Notice of Funds Availability was issued on June 11th, and USDA is now accepting applications from both farmers and biomass conversion facilities wishing to participate in this part of the program.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and no deadline for applications has been set.  See your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for more information on applying for BCAP CHST payments. (more…)