DES MOINES – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is funding 44 clean energy projects in Iowa with a total of $1,085,438 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Agency is also providing $2,733,706 in funding for six Iowa projects to expand access to domestic biofuels through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). One additional HBIIP project for $1,825,500 involves both Iowa and Nebraska locations.
“Rural America is the backbone of our economy and key to enabling our energy independence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Director Greenfield. “At USDA, we will continue working to expand clean energy, lower costs for Iowans, and build an economy that benefits working families and small businesses.”
The Iowa investments are listed below. Three examples of the grants include:
-Wheatland Manor Inc. received $291,320 through the REAP program to install a 67.6 kilowatt solar array at its assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facility in Wheatland in Clinton County. This project will generate 318,982 kilowatt hours per year, amounting to $46,527 per year. This is enough electricity to power 29 homes.
-A.C. Development LLC received $16,721 through the REAP program to install a 15.52 kilowatt solar array at its nonresidential property management business in Calmar in Winneshiek County. This project will realize $2,505 per year in savings and will generate and replace 16,837 kilowatt hours per year (117 percent of previous use), which is enough electricity to power one home.
-Cooperative Gas & Oil Co. received $187,500 through the HBIIP program to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Cooperative Gas & Oil Co. is the owner of 10 or fewer fueling stations. This project will install five E15 dispensers and five E85 dispensers at one fueling station in Sioux Center in Sioux County, Iowa. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 1,399,083 gallons per year.
Background
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $3 billion for 11,221 projects through REAP and more than $323 million in 399 awards through HBIIP.