Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded eight grants totaling $248,482 to farmers and rural businesses in Iowa's Second District. The funding comes from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants and loan guarantees to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.
"Fostering the growth of energy efficiency measures is imperative to boost the rural economy and helps farmers and businesses save on their utility bills and overhead costs," said Loebsack. "Implementing better ways to reduce energy consumption must be a top priority, and I am pleased that these agricultural producers and businesses have been given this opportunity."
Details of the grant recipients are below.
Claude Greiner - Columbus Junction, Iowa ($49,922)
This project will install a solar system to provide electricity to a farming operation that will displace 89% of their energy usage. The project projects to generate 129,105 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 11 homes.
Grinnell-Lynnville/Sully-
Project funds will be used to install 2 solar energy systems. The project will generate enough energy to power approximately 6 average sized homes per year.
Jarrard Farm Corp - Washington, Iowa ($36,576)
This project will install a solar system to provide electricity to a farming operation that will displace 95.22% of their energy usage. The project projects to generate 75,675 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 7 homes.
Daniel Sieren - Harper, Iowa ($21,040)
This energy efficiency improvement project will install a new energy efficient grain drying system that is estimated to reduce energy usage by 65%. The project projects to generate 256,168 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 24 homes.
Josh M Thomann - Riverside, Iowa ($22,180)
This project will install a solar system to provide electricity to a farming operation that will displace 108.90% of their energy usage. The project projects to generate 43,260 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 4 homes.
Dean Vankooten - Kellogg, Iowa ($33,500)
This project will install a solar system to provide electricity to a farming operation that will displace 127% of their energy needs. The project projects to generate 83,832 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 7 homes.
Larry Whetstine - Wellman, Iowa ($27,749)
This project will install a solar system to provide electricity to a farming operation that will displace 77.1% of their energy usage. The project projects to generate 123,105 kWh of electricity per year, or enough electricity to power 12 homes.
Wiliam Morrison - Keswick, IA ($27,465)
This energy-efficiency improvement project will install a new energy-efficient grain drying system that is estimated to reduce energy usage by 63%. The project projects to save the equivalent of 207,004 kWh or the equivalent of 19 homes.
###
