CARSON CITY - USDA Rural Development Nevada has learned that the funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has increased from $22 million to $60 million nationwide.
The recent appropriations act passed March 26 allows for remaining funds from the 2008 Farm Bill and funds from prior year de-obligations to be available for FY 2013.
As a result, Nevada's REAP grant application deadline has been extended to May 31, 2013. Eligible applicants include small businesses and agricultural producers. Eligible projects include installing renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar, geothermal, biomass, anaerobic digesters, hydroelectric or hydrogen systems. Funding may also be used to purchase energy-efficient equipment, add insulation, and improve heating and cooling systems.
Agricultural producers anywhere in the state and rural Nevada businesses in communities of 50,000 or less are eligible for the funds.
In Nevada, these grants and loans have been used to develop hydropower systems for ranch irrigation, to build a wind turbine to offset energy costs for a business, to install high efficiency HVAC systems for a business to reduce energy usage and costs, and for the Desert Research Institute to conduct energy audits for small businesses and agricultural producers.
For more information contact Mark Williams, energy coordinator, at (775) 887-1222, Ext. 116. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. May 31, 2013, to the USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 S. Curry, Carson City, NV, 89703, or submitted online via www.grants.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service) or (800) 877-8339.
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