In this Update…
USDA Announces REAP Energy Technical Assistance Funding
Congress Boosts REAP Funding for 2009

USDA Announces REAP Energy Technical Assistance Funding
The 2008 Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) added, for the first time, a new Energy Audit and Technical Assistance program to REAP.

Under this program, state, local and tribal governments, universities, rural electric cooperatives and public power entities can apply to the USDA to receive grants to implement energy technical assistance programs to benefit agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The program will cut energy waste, help farmers and businesses produce their own renewable energy and improve the bottom line of farm and rural business operations.

This year, based on likely REAP funding, we expect that up to $2.4 million will be available nationwide under this REAP program. The maximum grant per applicant is $100,000, and the deadline to apply for grants is June 10, 2009. A summary of the new program and the full notice may be found here.
To be clear – this energy technical assistance program is for government and rural electric cooperative/private power entities. Also, although the REAP statute suggests that other similar entities, such as non-profit trade associations, could be eligible to apply, this year USDA chose not to allow such entities to apply for program grants.

Congress Boosts REAP Funding for 2009

The Omnibus budget bill signed into law today provides $60 million in funding for 2009 for the Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for American Program (REAP). REAP offers grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. Although the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 did not boost funding for farm bill energy title programs, the addition of this funding by Congress carries through on commitments in the 2008 Farm Bill. For a full summary of 2009 Farm Bill Energy Title funding, visit our Appropriations page.