By Jamie Martin
The Administration has announced a substantial investment to promote clean energy across rural America. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed over $3 billion in funding through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. This initiative aims to reduce electricity costs while also supporting President and Vice President Harris's broader Investing in America agenda.
Approximately $2.5 billion is directed toward the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, with nearly $1 billion allocated to six rural electric cooperatives. This funding comes from the historic Inflation Reduction Act, marking the most significant investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
“Since day one of his administration, President has remained committed to ensuring rural communities are directly benefitting from a clean energy economy,” stated Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. These funds will foster job creation and make energy more affordable for families across various states, including Arizona, Colorado, and South Carolina.
In Westminster, Colorado, Deputy Secretary Torres Small emphasized the transformative impact of the funding, which is projected to reduce electricity rates by 10% for cooperative members by 2034. This includes the purchase of 1,040 megawatts of renewable energy and over 200 megawatts of energy storage.
USDA has also selected six rural electric cooperatives for New ERA funding: Connexus Energy in Minnesota and South Dakota, Central Electric Power Cooperative in South Carolina, and others across Nebraska and Texas. These cooperatives will leverage investments totaling $6.4 billion for clean energy projects, expected to cut down greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
The USDA aims to enhance economic opportunities and improve quality of life in rural areas. Investments will support infrastructure improvements and high-speed internet access, among other vital needs.
The initiative is also aligned with the Administration's Justice40 Initiative, focusing on delivering 40% of benefits from federal climate investments to disadvantaged communities.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National