Applications for high energy cost grant program due Sept. 8

3 mins read

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager today announced that USDA is accepting applications for the High Energy Cost Grant program.

“Under this program, the funding awarded will improve energy generation, transmission and distribution facilities that serve extremely high energy cost rural areas – those with average home energy costs exceeding 275 percent of the national average,” Tonsager said.

In 2009, for example, USDA Rural Development awarded a $1,081,392 grant to MSAD 58 in Franklin County. This rural area in Maine is heavily dependent on fuel oil for its heating needs. With funding provided by USDA, MSAD 58 partnered with Skanden Energy LLC, from San Diego, California, to purchase and install wood pellet heating system to provide heat and hot water to the school buildings.

USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “MSAD 58 is a wonderful example of the potential benefits that can be attained through the High Energy Cost Grant Program. I’m pleased that USDA Rural Development offers this program to rural communities and I encourage any eligible business, non-profit, or government agency to consider the program.”

Grants ranging from $75,000 to $5 million will be awarded to businesses, non-profit entities, states, local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribes. These grants will be used for on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects serving eligible communities. USDA will award approximately 20 grants with the $15.5 million provided through this notice of funding availability.

The application guide and more information on this program can be found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/hecgp/index.htm or the August 9, 2010, Federal Register. Applications are due September 8, 2010. Funding for recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 83 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. In Fiscal Year 2009 USDA Rural Development invested over $420 million in the state of Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/me.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.