Farm Energy

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and FarmEnergy.org will soon publish a brief report featuring over a dozen farm energy success stories from across the nation. The REAP-funded projects span a variety of technologies, including biomass, anaerobic digesters, energy efficiency, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind.

In honor of the new Farm Bill, we are releasing just a few of those stories now.  Check out these amazing new success stories that demonstrate why the Rural Energy for America Program is so vital for rural America:

Beebe Community Wind Farm, LLC – Ithaca, MI
This REAP grant covered 25% of the cost of a feasibility study that made the project more attractive to developers. Today, 34 turbines generate 81 megawatts of electricity, providing income to the local farmers. Read more. 

Gunnison County Electric Association – Gunnison, CO
GCEA received REAP funding to create a program that provided energy audits for 38 rural small businesses. The audits resulted in energy efficiency improvements that saved each business an average of $5,400 in utility bills annually. Read more.

Reed’s Food Center – Arnold, NE
Rising energy costs threatened to put Reed’s Food Center – the small community’s only grocery store – out of business. The REAP grant and loan guarantee helped fund energy efficiency improvements that have decreased energy use by 55-60%, saving up to $20,000 annually on energy costs. Additionally, the modernizations have attracted more customers, increasing business by 10-20%. Read more.

Ringler Energy LLC – Cardington, OH
This 3rd-generation pork producer received a REAP grant and loan guarantee to build an anaerobic digester that powers 100% of his farm. Additionally, he sells the excess energy (approximately 85% of what is produced) back to the electric grid, effectively running his meter backward. Read more.

Spencer Pope Farms – Carthage, MS
The solar panels on this poultry farm provide 100% of the farm’s electricity needs. Read more.