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$600M boost for rural America's green future

Oct 21, 2024
By Farms.com

Grants boost rural economies with clean power

 

To drive economic growth and sustainability in rural regions, the USDA under Secretary Tom Vilsack, announced a major push towards clean energy. This comes with a dual program focus through REAP and New ERA, promising to enhance the livelihoods of farmers and small business owners across 39 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

The administration’s commitment includes a total of $126 million in REAP grants supporting 654 clean energy projects, with Pennsylvania alone benefiting from $24 million for 112 projects. These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce annual energy costs for rural businesses, contributing to a greener and more sustainable agricultural sector.

Through these programs, rural electric cooperatives like Allegheny Electric Cooperative are set to become leaders in carbon-free power generation, with investments geared towards meeting significant portions of their energy demands through renewable sources by 2026.

The USDA has also opened applications for an additional $600 million in funding, available through 2027, ensuring continued support for rural America’s transition to clean energy. This strategic investment not only aids in combating the climate crisis but also in stabilizing rural economies by lowering energy expenses and creating durable job opportunities.

These efforts are a testament to the administration’s strategy to invest in the nation’s core economic sectors, ensuring that even the most remote communities are not left behind in the move towards a sustainable future.


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For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist with the CLEAR Center sits down with Associate Director for Communications at the CLEAR Center, Joe Proudman.