$7.3 Billion rural clean energy plan unveiled

Sep 06, 2024
By Farms.com

President announces historic funding for rural America's green future

President alongside USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has launched a sweeping $7.3 billion investment in rural America's clean energy future. This funding, derived from the New ERA program, represents the largest investment in rural electrification since the New Deal.

This initiative will empower 16 rural electric cooperatives to harness over 10 gigawatts of renewable energy across 23 states, directly benefiting one in five rural Americans. These efforts aim to dramatically cut energy costs and environmental impact, projecting to eliminate over 43.7 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.

The extensive plan includes diverse energy sources, ranging from wind and solar to nuclear and hydropower, and is set to create thousands of jobs.

Dairyland Power Cooperative, a key recipient, anticipates significant rate reductions, leveraging nearly $573 million in funding for various renewable projects.

Integral to this plan is the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that disadvantaged communities receive a substantial share of the benefits. The USDA's involvement extends beyond funding, focusing on comprehensive community and economic development.

This bold step by the administration not only aims to revitalize rural America's infrastructure but also positions the country at the forefront of the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions, ensuring a brighter, cleaner future for all rural Americans.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.