In celebration of Earth Day 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture announced funding for over 700 clean energy projects aimed at reducing energy costs, promoting biofuels, and creating jobs, largely backed by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, including four projects locally.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money,” said deputy agriculture secretary Torres Small in a press release.
“As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.”
The funding is being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program.
In Lebanon County, the four projects receiving funds through the program are:
- Brandon Smoker Energy LLC, $702,108, to help purchase and install a 712-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for a renewable energy company leasing barn roof space for a solar array in Lebanon County, according to BizNewsPA.
- Donald Musser, $91,850, to help purchase and install a 98-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on his poultry farm.
- Countryside Propane LLC, $65,500, to help purchase and install a 60.7-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for a family-owned propane and heating oil business that serves Lebanon, Berks and Lancaster counties.
- SNM Property Management LLC, $63,271, to help purchase and install a 62.37-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for a commercial leasing company.
The funding comes amid a major federal push for solar power, including the recent award of a $156 million package given to Pennsylvania by the Biden Administration to boost affordable, reliable, and sustainable solar power to low-income Pennsylvanians and environmental justice communities. Those funds were awarded on April 22 through the federal ‘Solar for All’ initiative, according to a release from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article conflated the ‘Solar for All’ initiative and the Rural Energy for America Program. We sincerely regret the error.
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