Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced during an international renewable energy conference that USDA will accept $220.9 million in loan and grant applications within USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.
"As demand for energy rises, these renewable energy loans and grants help farms and rural small businesses increase their investment in renewable energy initiatives," said Schafer, speaking at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC). "Energy efficiency wisely applies our resources, and energizes wealth-creation opportunities with more jobs throughout rural America."