Vilsack announces $27 million in energy grants, loans
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced renewable energy and energy efficiency loans and grants totaling $27 million to more than 500 agricultural producers and rural small businesses in 49 states and Puerto Rico, including one to help with the installation of ethanol and biodiesel flex fuel pumps.
"This funding is an important part of the Obama administration's plan to help the nation's farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses conserve natural resources, create more green jobs and lead us on the path to becoming an energy independent nation," Vilsack said. “These projects are in addition to the more than 900 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects recently announced during the President's Rural Economic Forum."
The grants and loan guarantees are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program, a 2008 farm bill initiative.
In Beaver Dam, Wis., United Cooperative was selected to receive a $448,500 grant to help with the installation cost of 33 ethanol flex-fuel dispensers and 17 biodiesel dispensers. United Cooperative is a full-service cooperative that offers feed, grain, agronomy and energy products to south-central Wisconsin farmers and consumers.
The Obama administration has set a goal of making 10,000 new flex-fuel pumps available to America's drivers within the next five years, a five-fold increase from today's level. Advocates of ethanol and other biofuels had hoped to expand that program in conjunction with ending the ethanol tax break program before its expiration at the end of the year, but have run into opposition in Congress.
"This funding is an important part of the Obama administration's plan to help the nation's farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses conserve natural resources, create more green jobs and lead us on the path to becoming an energy independent nation," Vilsack said. “These projects are in addition to the more than 900 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects recently announced during the President's Rural Economic Forum."
The grants and loan guarantees are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program, a 2008 farm bill initiative.
In Beaver Dam, Wis., United Cooperative was selected to receive a $448,500 grant to help with the installation cost of 33 ethanol flex-fuel dispensers and 17 biodiesel dispensers. United Cooperative is a full-service cooperative that offers feed, grain, agronomy and energy products to south-central Wisconsin farmers and consumers.
The Obama administration has set a goal of making 10,000 new flex-fuel pumps available to America's drivers within the next five years, a five-fold increase from today's level. Advocates of ethanol and other biofuels had hoped to expand that program in conjunction with ending the ethanol tax break program before its expiration at the end of the year, but have run into opposition in Congress.
