BANGOR — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is inviting grant applications from organizations to provide hands-on assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying for Rural Energy for America Program funding.

REAP provides grants and loans to help farmers and small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. The REAP Technical Assistance Grant program, just announced, is for organizations that intend to provide support to REAP applicants. USDA has allocated $250K for REAP TAG in Maine this fiscal year.

“REAP offers Maine agricultural producers and small businesses a way to have more control over their energy costs,” said USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maine. “We want to ensure that all eligible businesses can apply, whether in our heritage farming and maritime industries or among the diverse businesses that sustain Maine’s rural towns. These grants for organizations that provide technical assistance are one way we can make it easier for applicants to compete for our REAP grants. Access to efficient, green energy options means cost savings for businesses and a cleaner environment for all Mainers.”

Eligible recipients for these grants include state, Tribal or local governments; land grant colleges and universities; electric cooperatives; and nonprofit organizations. Recipients may use the funds to:

• Help rural agricultural producers and small business owners apply for REAP funding.
• Provide information on how business owners and agricultural producers can improve the energy efficiency of their operations and use renewable energy technologies and resources.
• Conduct required energy assessments and audits.
• Help agricultural producers and small business owners with planning construction and development of renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.
• Assist with the completion of environmental reports and/or documentation required for submittal of applications.

This program works alongside REAP to create new economic opportunities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make energy more affordable for American families. Together, these programs will boost the long-term resiliency, reliability, and affordability of renewable energy systems in Maine. This assistance is made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.

The 2023 Maine REAP TAG recipients were the Sunrise County Economic Council, Pecos Wind Inc., and Sustaine Inc. Current applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 15. For additional information and submission details, see page 12815 of the Feb. 20 Federal Register.

Find answers to frequently asked questions at tinyurl.com/bde82vnr or contact Katrina Shaw, RBCS Maine State Energy coordinator at katrina.shaw@usda.gov or 207-990-9129.

 

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