ACEEE Commends USDA for Making Energy Efficiency More Accessible to Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) of $22.8 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on America's farms and at rural small businesses. Applications are due July 19, 2004. This program, funded under Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill, represents one of the most important new Clean Energy initiatives passed in recent years.

"We are pleased that USDA simplified many of the project requirements and reduced the minimum grant size to $2,500," said Elizabeth Brown, ACEEE's Agriculture Project Leader. "These changes will make energy efficiency funding available to more farms and small businesses. This support is needed now more than ever because of rising energy prices."

Section 9006 encourages farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to invest in cost-effective technologies and systems for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The section helps to increase rural economic development, environmental protection, and energy independence.

"The farm economy has been hit hard by high energy prices, which also affect fertilizer and other costs. This program can help farmers stay financially healthy," said William Prindle, ACEEE's Deputy Director. "Our research has shown that reducing energy demand not only cuts consumers' bills, it also reduces energy prices for them."

"Now it's important that the clean energy community get the word out to our nation's farmers and rural businesses about the availability of these grants," said Neal Elliott, ACEEE's Industrial and Agricultural Program Director. "Our review of agricultural energy efficiency programs indicates that for Section 9006 to be successful, state and regional groups need to assist potential applicants with identifying project opportunities and preparing their applications by the July 19, 2004 deadline."

For more information on the energy efficiency provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill and ACEEE's activities to encourage energy efficiency in agriculture and rural areas, visit http://aceee.org/industry/agriculture.htm.