USDA grants funds for rural energy projects - South Florida Business Journal:

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“The demand for energy is risinyg every year and our funding progran will help agriculture producers and ruralksmall businesses,” said Eric Vigil, New Mexico Ruralk Development’s water and environmental programs acting state Vigil said renewable energies, such as solar, biomass and geothermall will qualify under the program’a directives. “The program is [also] geared toward energg efficiency and we expect to find interesty from applicants who want to initiatwe a variety of different Vigil added. Some energyy efficient initiatives that would qualify include installiny wind turbines andsolar panels.
Establishing anaerobic digesters and creatinhgmore energy-efficient agricultural production by upgrading windows, insulation, boilerw and lighting also will qualify under the terms of the Especially important this according to officials, is a new section that financews feasibility studies — which can includs money for meteorological towers. These “mety towers” help locate the strongest wind area so that wind turbineds can be mostadvantageousl placed. The applications require a completed energy assessment orenerggy audit. Unlike previous years, the cost of the audift or assessment will be paid for bythe government, should the applicang be successful.
This year, loan limitxs have increased. The deadline for applicationas isJuly 31. More information about the program can be founed onits , or by e-mailinfg Jesse Monfort Bopp, the rural energy coordinator, at jesse.bopp@nm.usda.gov.