USDA Rural Development Announces $22.8 Million in Grants for Renewable Energy Initiatives

May 14, 2004

In support of President Bush’s energy plan to develop renewable energy systems and promote energy efficiency improvements, USDA Rural Development announces the availability of $22.8 million in grant funds for renewable energy initiatives.

Applicants for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program must be agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds may be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Eligible projects include those that derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources.

Complete applications must be submitted postmarked no later than close of business July 19, 2004. Additional information regarding program requirements and application procedures is available in the Federal Register’s publication of the notice of funding availability at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/2004/energy050504.pdf.

Applications for Colorado should be submitted to USDA Rural Development, Attn: Linda Sundine, 655 Parfet Street, Lakewood, CO 80215, 720-544-2929. Awards will be made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at Colorado’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/co/index.html.