On October 18, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the investment of $24 million in 112 clean energy projects in Pennsylvania to create jobs and help lower their energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program.

USDA is also investing $20.5 million in Allegheny Electric Cooperative. This award will help reduce energy costs and secure reliable, clean energy for rural residents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The funding is expected to support the cooperative’s investment in 25 megawatts of clean energy, which will help serve the electricity needs of approximately 235,000 households served by Allegheny’s 14-member electric distribution cooperatives.

In addition to lowering costs for rural households, the New ERA grant will allow Allegheny to meet over 80% of its power requirements from carbon-free resources by 2026.

This will mean a reduction of nearly 100,000 tons of climate pollution annually, or the equivalent of providing electricity for nearly 18,000 homes.

More than 600 of the funded projects under both programs were announced and are made possible by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.

“Farmers, rural business owners and electric cooperatives are the backbone of our economy, and we are partnering with them to expand their operations while creating jobs and lowering energy costs,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The investments the Biden-Harris Administration are announcing today will support rural communities as they transition to clean energy and drive economic prosperity here in Pennsylvania and across this nation.”

Click Here for a list of projects funded in Pennsylvania and other states.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Related Articles:

-- Team PA & Clean Air Task Force Convene Leaders To Discuss Challenges, Opportunities Of Industrial Decarbonization; DOE Provides Update On Decarbonization Investments In PA  [PaEN]

-- USDA Announces Investment Of $24 Million In 112 Clean Energy Projects In PA; $20.5 Million To Allegheny Electric Cooperative Under Rural Energy Programs  [PaEN]  

-- DCED Begins Accepting Applications For PA Solar For Schools Grants Nov. 1  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments At 4 Public Input Sessions To Help Develop PA Home Energy Rebate Programs Starting Oct. 15  [PaEN]

-- SolarBank's First 2 Community Solar Projects In PA: 13.8-Megawatt And 7 Megawatt  Projects In Lancaster County Contingent On PA Passing Community Solar Legislation  [PaEN]

-- Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $18.5 Million In Pennsylvania To Support Economic Revitalization Of Communities Impacted By Downturn In Coal Industry  [PaEN] 

-- Community Advocates For Clean Energy Host Nov. 13 Webinar On EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Winter Outlook: Adequate Power Supplies Available Under Normal Conditions; PJM Delays Next Power Auction After Prices Spike  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Republican Herald: Pottsville Schools Report Saving $406,144 On Electric Bills Over 3 Years From Solar Energy Facilities

-- Natural Resources Defense Council Blog: More Jobs, Lower Costs - PA Solar For Schools Grant Program Opens Soon

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: New Solar Arrays May Be Coming Along PA Turnpike

-- Post-Gazette: University Of Pittsburgh Installs First Solar Panels On Dorm Rooftop

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Solar Program For Lower-Income Homeowners Could Be ‘In Jeopardy’ Under Ex-President

-- The Allegheny Front - Kara Holsopple: Farmer Support For Solar Leasing Depends On Compatibility With Rural Values

-- Observer-Reporter: Fayette County Zoning Board Nixes Request For Georges Township Solar Energy Facility

-- Citizens Voice: Fairview Twp. Supervisors Outline Solar Energy Facility Regulations In Luzerne County

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Jeremy Cox/Ad Crable: Solar Industry Electrifies Pushback In Rural Areas Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: US DOE Secretary: Clean Energy Must Overcome ‘Climate Deniers’

-- TribLive Guest Essay: We Must Build On, Not Kill, Clean Energy Momentum - by Adam Forgie, Mayor, Turtle Creek Borough 

[Posted: October 18, 2024]

10/21/2024