$108 Million Allocated for Smart Grid Improvements

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states.

"Improving our rural electric utility systems will help us continue to provide reliable and affordable electricity to rural customers," Vilsack said. "By financing these improvements, USDA helps increase efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life in rural areas."

USDA is awarding loans to 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states. The funding includes more than $108 million for smart grid technology, $41 million for renewable energy improvements and $9 million for storm damage repairs. These loans will help build or improve 12,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Electric Program, which makes loans and loan guarantees to non-profit and cooperative associations, public bodies and other utilities, primarily for electric distribution in rural areas.

For example, Midwest Energy Cooperative in Michigan, which serves more than 35,000 customers in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, is receiving a $59 million loan to improve service to its customers. It will use $33 million to finance smart grid technologies.

Smart grid increases the reliability of electric power by helping utilities better manage the electric grid to improve operational efficiencies. It includes metering, substation automation, computer applications, two-way communications, geospatial information systems and other improvements.

In Iowa, USDA is providing a $59.8 million loan to the Central Iowa Power Corporation to fund more than 126 miles of new or upgraded power lines. The utility distributes power to more than 125,000 residential customers and 17,000 businesses in 51 Iowa counties.

The Cornelius, N.C., firm O2 EMC Portfolio 1, LLC is receiving three loans totaling nearly $23 million to build several solar farms. The company develops, owns and operates solar farms across the Southeast.

Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

Since 2009, USDA has funded $34 billion in electric loans and more than $1 billion for smart grid technologies. This assistance has helped build more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving approximately 8.5 million rural customers.

USDA has been committed to improving the production and transmission of electricity in rural communities since the creation of the Rural Electrification Administration in 1935.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

#

John Deere & Hubbell-Waterman Foundations, First Presbyterian Church and Many Individual Donors Support New Private Lesson Program

The latest initiative from Volunteers for Symphony (VfS) to help raise funds for Quad City area youth music education is Trivia Night by VfS.   Trivia Night will be held this Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tanglewood Hills Pavilion in Bettendorf at 4250 Middle Road.

Trivia Night by VfS will be halloween-themed and feature fun questions in entertaining categories and designed for beginners and experts alike.  A silent auction, raffle and bake sale will be featured along with a variety of prizes.  Food is available for purchase.

Trivia Night by VfS raises funds to support the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) and their youth education engagement programs.  The QCSO is the largest provider of music education engagement programs in the Quad City region reaching more than 10,000 students each year.

New music education in the 2015-16 school year features bi-weekly private one-on-one lessons with professional musician instructors.  Support for this new program is provided by the John Deere and Hubbell-Waterman Foundations, First Presbyterian Church and many individual donors.  This program joins the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles, Symphony Day, classroom performances, Instruments for Kids and Students@Symphony, each designed to open the world of music to youth.  Support for the many education programs also comes from Arthur J. Gallagher, Rock Island Community Foundation, Doris & Victor Day Foundation and many individuals.

Volunteers for Symphony invites all interested in supporting youth music education to join them for the fun Trivia Night this Saturday at the Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

More information available at www.qcso.org

Final EPA rule on RFS expected early next month

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack, along with 16 members of the bipartisan Biofuels Caucus, today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make significant changes to the proposed renewable fuels volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The group called on the EPA to use criteria for determining domestic biofuel volumes that are found in statute and follow Congress's intent. Loebsack, a co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, has helped lead the fight to ensure the RFS is strong and highlight its importance to Iowa.

"It would be a thumb in the eye to Iowa's farmers if the EPA continues to ignore federal statute and sides with Big Oil over rural communities," said Loebsack. "EPA's low blending volumes do not help to advance an industry that was created to become a fuel source of the future. In fact, if the EPA does not act as Congress has intended, it will further harm the advances the homegrown fuels industry has already made. Significant changes to the proposed rule must be made in order to for biofuels to continue creating American jobs, supporting agricultural communities, saving taxpayers hard-earned dollars and reducing dependence on overseas oil."

A copy of the letter from members of the Biofuels Caucus to the EPA can be found here.