[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding awards for 10 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology. This round of funding for Minnesota totals $1.3 million. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 170 clean energy projects in small towns and rural places thanks to the Rural Energy for America Program.
“The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s one reason programs like REAP, which helps rural communities install renewable energy systems, are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.”
“Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.”
Projects included can be found in the table below.
The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The projects are possible thanks to the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.
Senator Smith continues to prioritize improvements to REAP, promote underutilized technologies, and help more farmers access the program. She has introduced the bipartisan, bicameral REAP Modernization Act which would increase the cost share for REAP grants, raise certain grant limits, and improve the accessibility of the program to farmers and small businesses.
Total Investment: $1,368,213
Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 1,824,614 kWh
Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $156,300
| Location | Award | Details | Annual $ Savings | Annual Energy Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frazee | $148,693 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer | $37,193 | 676,275kWh, enough to power 62 homes |
| Owatonna | $244,207 | Purchase and install two 25kW wind turbines | $27,550 | 186,000kWh, enough to power 17 homes |
| Buffalo Lake | $245,000 | Purchase and install two 25kW wind turbines | $20,901 | 190,000kWh, enough to power 18 homes |
| Hector | $245,000 | Purchase and install two 25kW wind turbines | $20,207 | 161,728kWh, enough to power 15 homes |
| Bird Island | $122,500 | Purchase and install a 25kW wind turbine | $11,870 | 98,750kWh, enough to power nine homes |
| Chokio | $62,075 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer | $9,870 | 204,253kWh, enough to power 19 homes |
| Swanville | $39,975 | Purchase and install a 501kW solar array | $8,750 | 66,700kWh, enough to power six homes |
| Ogema | $208,034 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer | $8,608 | 144,465kWh, enough to power 13 homes |
| St. Charles | $29,500 | Purchase and install a 37.5kW solar array | $8,177 | 74,332kWh, enough to power seven homes |
| Spring Valley | $23,229 | Purchase and install a 15.5kW solar array | $3,174 | 22,111kWh, enough to power two homes |
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