Hydor’s Post

For those unaware, the USDA Rural Development agency's Rural Energy for America program (REAP) helps agricultural producers and rural small business with the purchase of energy efficient technologies, offset energy costs and generate power for direct use or to sell to the grid. Last Thursday, US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and Minnesota Governor, Tim Waltz held discussions last with several producers and businesses who have leveraged the REAP program to utilize renewable energy for their operations. While I don't often wave my own flag--perhaps to the detriment of my career progression--I will say all but one of these small rural businesses were my projects; including the market where the meeting was hosted. These rural ag producers and small businesses were looking to offset costs for their operations while generating clean energy, and I am glad I was able help them realize those goals. I consulted with the various interests, determined eligibility for the REAP program, and finally helped guide them towards the ultimate goal of funding their projects, which were recognized at the highest levels of both the state and federal governments! I did not have to attend the event; and with all due respect to the participants, meet & greets and photo-ops with VIPs may be nice and all that, but it's just not my kind of thing; especially if I'd have to drive 150 miles to participate! I know who I helped, and that's enough. #ruraldevelopment #ruralbusiness

📢 ATTENTION #RURAL NEVADA!📢 Apply Now for REAP Technical Assistance Grant Program (deadline 3/21/24)! 💡 ⚡ 🌾 Through REAP Technical Assistance Grants, USDA Rural Development offers hands-on assistance to agricultural producers and small business owners applying for #Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding, which will lower energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. This assistance is made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis. It also advances the President’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. Eligible recipients for these grants include state, Tribal or local governments; colleges and universities; electric cooperatives and utility companies; 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. Deadline to submit applications is 3/21/24. Contact Laura Chavez at laura.chavez@usda.gov to learn more or ask further questions. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/g-NGiaFK Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. For additional information and submission details, see page 15545 of the March 4 Federal Register or visit REAP Technical Assistance Grants Program. Don't miss out - apply today! 💡 ⚡ 🌾 #ruralamerica #ruralenergy #Nevada #grant #grantmoney #grantopportunites #tribalgovernment #localgovernment #nonprofits #agriculture #renewablenergy #inflationreductionact

Agricultural producers and rural small businesses from the Land of 10,000 Lakes (Minnesota) are "reaping" the benefits of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program, including $53.8 million for 495 projects across the state, more than any other state in the country. For eligible businesses looking to make investments in energy efficiency or clean energy projects, there is no better time than now. Follow the (Rural Energy for America) link in the story below to learn more about this program, including how to determine if your organization is eligible. #USDA #cleanenergyfuture #ruraldevelopment #energyefficiency #solarenergy #sustainableenergy https://lnkd.in/eDqapsPy

Farmers in NSW are fighting against compulsory acquisition notices for the HumeLink transmission line project. Despite significant project changes and increased costs from $1.35 billion to nearly $5 billion, Transgrid has not reassessed the project. The HumeLink Alliance, representing affected landholders, argues for the transmission lines to be undergrounded due to cost blowouts and reduced transfer capacity. The NSW Farmers Association criticises the planning system for dismissing community impacts and calls for a reassessment, emphasising that the project's feasibility should consider undergrounding as a viable option. Landcare is interested in this issue because it affects land use and environmental management, which are core concerns for the organisation, along with supporting farmers and community resilience. Key questions arise from this article: 1. Could undergrounding transmission lines minimise environmental disruption and support sustainable land management practices while delivering energy in a cost-effective way? 2. What are the best models for ensuring landholder equity as the renewable energy rollout continues, and how can we make these business as usual? See the original article here (note: behind paywall): https://bit.ly/3Waxj5K

The USDA's Rural Energy for America Program or REAP, has much broader economic benefits to communities, beyond the individual projects implemented. Read more in our recent blog. https://lnkd.in/eSxQ2UTd #ruraldevelopment #energyefficiency #renewableenergy #usda

Do you own a business in a rural area and want to go solar but are unsure what financial incentives are available? Keep reading! The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers funding for rural businesses (and farms) to cover up to 50% of the project cost. This can be combined with additional incentives to help you save 80% or more! By going solar, businesses, farms, and agricultural producers can protect themselves against volatile utility rate hikes and save money, protecting their bottom line. For more information and to find out if you qualify for this funding, contact us today. #REAP #greensparksolar #inflationreductionact #gosolar #cleanenergy #fiancialincentives

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK! GVEA has been invited to formally apply to the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Services (RUS) Powering Affordable Clean Energy(PACE) Program, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. A key component in determining the final award amount is GVEA’s Community Benefit Plan (CBP). GVEA must demonstrate that its project creates intrinsic cost- and carbon-reducing benefits and, through the CBP, will offer community benefits beyond the project itself. On May 17, GVEA was contacted by RUS and asked to revise our CBP, including conducting community engagement as part of our CBP process before re-submitting the plan with any updates by May 31. GVEA is sharing information about the proposed project and the draft CBP at www.gvea.com/pace and inviting interested members to the May 28 board meeting to comment on whether they support the project, GVEA’s community benefit plan, or to recommend additional community benefits you believe should be included as part of the CBP. Voicing specific benefits will be useful in setting GVEA’s own community benefit goals and milestones as part of the project. If you’re not able to comment at the board meeting, GVEA has set up a webform on the URL listed above for interested community members to provide comments. We recognize this is a short deadline, which unfortunately could not be avoided in this instance, but rest assured GVEA will continue to take comments or recommendations following the May 31 deadline for consideration as part of the plan. We thank you in advance for your feedback.

With the new Government prioritizing house building and renewable energy, the demand for land is set to rise. If a landowner has rented out land which a developer may consider suitable for development, thought will have to be given as to how that land may be taken out of a tenancy and delivered for development. In this blog, Nichola Ross and James Hordern offer valuable insights into ensuring your land is ready for future opportunities. 🔗 Click below to read more. #Agriculture #LandDevelopment #TenancyLaw #RenewableEnergy #RealEstate

The recent decision by Johnstown, NY to ban solar farms highlights the ongoing struggle for farmers in NYS. Local regulations and public opposition are making it increasingly difficult for farmers to utilize their land, whether for traditional agriculture or renewable energy projects like solar farms. With hefty tax bills and restricted development options, many farmers are at risk of losing their land. However, farmers have legal avenues to challenge these local ordinances. The **First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Glendale v. County of Los Angeles** case is a landmark decision where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that government regulations that deprive a landowner of all economically viable use of their land can constitute a "taking" under the Fifth Amendment, requiring just compensation (https://lnkd.in/edfwz9_6) (https://lnkd.in/ehQ3YFQ5). This case emphasizes that temporary regulatory actions, which deny land use, require compensation just like permanent takings (https://lnkd.in/e6mp-gBS). Farmers can argue that outright bans on solar farms are unreasonable restrictions on their property rights and economic opportunities, potentially violating the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Leveraging this legal precedent, farmers can advocate for their right to use their land in economically beneficial ways, promoting both agricultural sustainability and renewable energy development. It's crucial for policymakers to find a balanced approach that supports our farmers, addresses legitimate environmental concerns, and promotes sustainable development without infringing on property rights.

September 5 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $7.3 billion in historic Inflation Reduction Act funding today for non-profit rural electric cooperatives through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program.  Sixteen rural electric cooperatives (co-ops) were selected for this transformative funding, including the first award to Dairyland Power Cooperative. These sixteen co-ops serve millions of rural households, farms, and businesses across 23 states. The following is a statement from Jeffrey McManus , federal affairs advocate at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) : 'With $7.3 billion in funding, we’re witnessing the single largest investment in rural electrification since the Great Depression. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, this funding will not only provide rural communities served by these co-ops with clean and affordable energy, but also create thousands of good-paying jobs. This investment will strengthen the resilience of our energy infrastructure for generations to come -- while taking an important step to address the climate crisis.'" #agfunding #energyinfrastructure #lowCI #carbonintensity USDA https://lnkd.in/eT_GsvPK