Sprague business garners energy efficiency grant

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced grants for more than 900 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement as part of President Obama’s rural economic bus tour in the Midwest where on Aug. 19 he highlighted efforts underway to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, which will increase the economic competitiveness of rural America and promote job creation.

“These investments enable our farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners to develop renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements that will save them thousands of dollars in energy costs each year,” Vilsack said.

“This funding is an important part of the Obama Administration’s plan to conserve natural resources, create jobs and lead our country on the path to becoming more energy independent.”

The grants are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a 2008 Farm Bill initiative. REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

These federal funds leverage other funding sources for small businesses. In all, USDA announced more than $11.6 million in energy grants.

Techenergy, LLC, of Sprague $20,000 for solar through the REAP grant.

“We are very pleased to be serving agricultural producers and rural small businesses with a wide range of energy efficiency improvements this year, as well as traditional renewable energy systems. We hope that this program will continue to grow in Washington state to help reduce our carbon footprint, reduce energy expenses for businesses and generate new energy sources,” said Mario Villanueva, state director for USDA Rural Development in Washington state.

Funding of each award is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. Grants can finance up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, not to exceed $500,000 for renewable energy, $250,000 for energy efficiency.