Rural Groups Invited To Apply For USDA Energy Grants 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Rural groups, including small businesses, farmers and ranchers, in West Virginia may apply for federal dollars for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $220.9 million in loan and grant funding available for the 2008 clean energy program, also known as Farm Bill Section 9006.

Of that total, $15.9 million has been designated for grants. The USDA will review grants in two cycles. In the first competitive cycle, grant-only applications must be submitted no later than April 16, 2008. In the second competitive window, applications must be submitted between April 16 and June 16.

Applications for the $205 million in loan guarantees must be submitted by June 16.

West Virginia had two successful grant applicants in recent years, said Kelly A. Bragg, program coordinator, West Virginia Division of Energy. In 2006, Redbud Farm in Berkeley County was awarded a $3,496 grant for solar root zone heating for greenhouse production. The same year, Hi-Tech Dry Kiln Co., LLC, in Barbour County received a Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements grant of $23,750. The project enabled the company to convert from natural gas to waste vegetable oil for operating the dry kilns.

"We encourage West Virginia rural businesses and agricultural producers to send in their applications," Bragg said. "Experience has shown projects in our state can compete on a national level and win these funding awards."

Application forms are available from the state USDA Rural Development Office in Morgantown. Forms can be downloaded from http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/9006form.html. Loan guarantee applications will be accepted in paper form only. The rural energy coordinators for West Virginia are available to answer questions and discuss the USDA environmental requirements that must be met for proposed projects.

For more information on USDA's rural programs, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov or call the state USDA Rural Development office toll free at 800-295-8228 or 304-284-4883.

The USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program was created as part of the Energy Title in the 2002 Farm Bill. The USDA Rural Development mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.