Oregon has announced it will receive $4,459,297 in grants from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support 20 renewable energy projects in rural communities throughout the state.
The investments will help farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses adopt renewable energy technologies, conduct critical energy audits, and improve energy efficiency to cut costs and carbon pollution. In total, these projects are expected to strengthen the resiliency of these operations, generate new income, and create jobs in rural Oregon.
“Oregon’s small farms, ranches, and businesses know that leaning into renewable energy sources can help them significantly lower their energy costs, increase profits, and make them more sustainable over the long run,” said Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. "Unfortunately, the upfront costs of making that switch often leave rural businesses stuck with outdated energy infrastructure and higher monthly bills. This federal funding from REAP is critical to help rural Oregon businesses overcome financial hurdles and realize energy-efficient projects that are good for both their pocketbook and the planet.”
A total of 20 different rural operations and businesses are set to receive funding from the grants for various energy transition and efficiency projects. This includes:
- $1 million to Fort George Brewery Public House in Astoria to purchase and install a 560 kW roof-mounted solar PV system, which will replace 81% of the business's energy use.
- $564,165 to Bauman's Farm and Garden LLC in Gervais to purchase and install a 590.7 kW roof-mounted solar PV system to replace 100% of the business's energy use.
- $316,994 for Brooks Tree Farm in Salem to purchase and install a 297 kW roof-mounted solar PV system, which will produce 100% of the business's energy use.
- $93,311 for Sidereus Winery in Cornelius to purchase and install a 66 kW roof-mounted solar PV, which will replace 100% of the business's energy use.
- $12,000 to The Dirty Cowgirl Saloon in Wasco to purchase and install an energy-efficiency heat pump to replace its diesel furnace, which will lower the business's energy use by 25% and save more than 80,000,000 btus.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has been working hard to cut costs for our farms and small businesses, which are critical to supporting a thriving rural Oregon. Many of our REAP recipients will replace 100 percent of their energy and cut their utility bills by thousands,” said Margi Hoffmann, USDA Rural Development State Director for Oregon. "With these grants, farms can cut emissions and grow resiliency while continuing to invest in innovative new products and attracting the best people."
