Wyden, Merkley Announce USDA Funding for Rural Renewable Energy Grants
Washington, D.C. - In recognizing the importance of energy efficiency in America's rural businesses, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be awarding more than $866,000 in grants and a $2.2 million loan guarantee to rural businesses in Oregon to promote alternative energy production.
"This funding will help 24 farms and agricultural businesses in rural Oregon create and save energy using sustainable, alternative means," Wyden said. "These grants and loans are an important step toward making Oregon agriculture more competitive and getting them into new business opportunities in a clean energy economy."
"Major renewable energy projects are integral in our shift to a clean energy economy, but they're only part of the story," Merkley said. "Just as important are the smaller energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy projects that businesses are taking on around the country. This funding from the USDA will help Oregon agriculture businesses utilize our renewable resources, like wind and sunlight, and stay competitive on the global market."
Included as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the funding announced today is part of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The program's loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. The USDA announced the Oregon grants as part of the release of $62.5 million in REAP grants and loans for projects in 45 states and Puerto Rico. For more information about the REAP program please visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
The following is a list of grants awarded today:
Brendan Carmody - $20,000
This project will help finance a solar system for a hotel in Newport- a 16.74 kW large solar system for energy efficiency improvements.
Brian Aust - $20,000
This project will help finance the Aust Farms small wind project - a 20 kW small wind system for a grass seed grower in Silverton.
Buren Vineyard - $8,661
This project will help finance a solar PV system - a 5 kW solar PV to be used in a vineyard in Grants Pass.
Clair Havens - $8,215
This project will help finance the Clair Havens Lighting Retrofit to replace lighting in two commercial buildings located in Ontario, Oregon. The project will save 46 percent of the energy currently used.
Crown, LLC - $19,475
This project will help finance a 10 kW solar PV system on the facility owned by Crown LLC located in the rural area of Roseburg, Oregon.
D.J. Maragas Wine Company - $19,999
This project will help finance the Maragas Winery Solar PV Project - a 10.4 kW solar ground-mounted PV system for a winery near Bend.
Dana Campbell Vineyards, LLC - $20,000
This project will help finance the ARE442-HV (10 kW) grid-connect wind generator - a 10 kW small wind turbine for a vineyard in Ashland.
Dunes Family Health Care - $19,934
This project will help finance a 10 kW solar PV system for a Health Care facility in Reedsport.
Elkhorn Biomass, LLC - $19,750
This project will help finance a Multitek firewood processor for a wood manufacturing business in Corvalis and create 2,500 tons of firewood replacing 35,000 mBTU of power.
Joseph Millworks, Inc. - $500,000 grant, $2,227,140 loan
This project will help finance the Lime Wind Energy Project - a 3 MW wind farm for a custom window & door manufacturing in Baker City.
Merganser Limited Partnership - $20,000
This project will help finance the 10 kW solar PV System to be located on the Merganser Building located in Klamath Falls.
Michael Satterstrom - $13,380
This project will help finance the 7.5 kW solar PV system on the farm of Michael Satterstrom located in Cottage Grove.
New Flora, LLC - $13,128
This project will help finance the 7.5 kW solar PV system for a Nursery and Tree Production facility in Central Point.
Prescott B. Jones - $9,125
This project will help finance the Leap Lamb Farms solar PV project - a 5.94 kW Solar PV System for a Farming Operation in Alsea.
Rough and Ready Lumber Company - $15,852
This project will help finance an energy efficiency building - a Dry Kiln modification for a lumber mill in Cave Junction.
Rudio Creek Ranch, LLC - $13,688
This project will help finance the Solar livestock watering system - a 1.5 kW solar water pumping system at two wells for a farming operation in Salem.
Sakurambo, LLC - $17,686
This project will help finance the 9 kW solar PV array to be located on the farm of Sakurambo in Hood River.
Taylor Farms, Inc. - $20,000
This project will help finance the Taylor Farms Wind Project - a 20 kW Small Wind System for a farming operation in Silverton.
Walker Farms - $19,725
This project will help finance a 13.42 kW Solar PV System for Walker Farms in Siletz.
Western Big R, Inc. - $15,475
This project will help finance the lighting retrofit for a hardware store in Burns.
Whistling Duck Farm - $19,735
This project will help finance the 8 kW solar PV system located on the Whistling Duck Farm in the rural area of Grants Pass.
Whitewater Land & Cattle, LLC - $19,340
This project will help finance an irrigation upgrade for a farming operation in Grant County which will result in 69 percent energy savings.
William Boyle - $13,375
This project will help finance the 7 kW solar PV system for a beef cattle ranch in Klamath Falls.
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