What does this program do?
Assists energy providers and other eligible entities in lowering energy costs for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs (275 percent of the national average or higher.)
Who may apply?
State and local governmental entities
Federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal entities.
Non-profits, including cooperatives and limited dividend or mutual associations
For-profit businesses
What is an eligible area?
Eligible areas must demonstrate annual average household energy cost exceeding 275 percent of the national average under benchmarks published in the 2021 High Energy Cost Grant Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Eligible areas must be located in the United States, U.S. Territories, or areas eligible by law to participate in USDA Rural Utilities Service Programs.
May 3, 2021
MORGANTOWN On Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship.
USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
This announcement included a $3.6 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Program for the Mineral Wells Public Service District in Wood County.
This Rural Development investment will benefit more than 2,500 West Virginians and assist in improving the reliability of Mineral Wells Public Service District’s water supply. Funds will be used to replace transmission and distribution mains, water meters, and hydrants
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a new Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program. To ensure a diverse group of voices are heard, USDA is seeking written comments and will host a public listening session on April 22, 2021.
“When we invest in creating new sources of renewable energy, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs in rural America,” USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson said. “To meet this goal, we must put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions, and that begins with getting feedback from a broad, diverse set of voices from the start.”
Investments
Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. USDA is investing $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states.
The city of Dunn, N.C., will use a $1.4 million loan and a $1.2 million grant to repair or replace 9,135 feet of sewer collection line, 42 manholes and 134 pipes. These modernizations will stop sewer system overflows, which will lead to cleaner rural water resources in the area and support a healthier environment for nearly 10,000 local residents.
Renewable Energy in Rural Communities. USDA is investing $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution