Biotech Updates

USDA to Support Projects to Boost Renewable Energy Production

August 24, 2012

The United States' Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it is going to support 106 projects in 29 states, Guam and Puerto Rico to produce renewable energy and make energy efficiency improvements in the country.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the support is part of US government's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, which involves expanding support for traditional as well as alternative energy sources and aims to help agricultural producers and rural small business owners across the country reduce their energy costs and consumption.

Funding is made available through USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the country's Farm Bill enacted in 2008. REAP provides grants and loan guarantees for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations and conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.

See USDA's news release at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?.contentid=2012/08/0273.xml&navid=NEWS_RELEASE&navtype=RT&parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&edeployment_action
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