The Distributed Wind Energy Association recently lauded the USDA’s recent announcement of a final rule for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This rule-making process has been years in the making, and DWEA has been an active participant since the beginning. The core program is still providing grants and loan guarantees to rural small businesses, farmers and others in the agricultural community. However, positive adjustments have been made including a new simplified “three tiered” application process, more frequent solicitations, and priority points for specific policy priorities such as the advancement of distributed wind power.
“The REAP program has always been a very good one, strongly supported on a bi-partisan basis to help expand development of rural America’s abundant renewable energy resources,” said Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA’s Executive Director. “Now it’s an even better program helping ensure distributed wind power’s continued role in bringing clean, affordable and homegrown electricity to rural America. I am pleased to see the efforts of the USDA for it’s great work on the program.”
“This program helps farmers and rural businesses lower their operating costs and become more competitive by installing American-made small wind turbines,” said DWEA President, Mike Bergey. “Recent improvements to the program have made it more accessible to family farms and small businesses and we are very appreciative of the streamlining of the application process.”
— Source: Distributed Wind Energy Association
