The projects are spread across the 29 states of the country besides Guam & Puerto Rico and will be funded through the department’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Commenting on the funding Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the government was committed to reducing energy costs for agricultural producers and rural small business owners in the country.
"This is part of the President’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, which involves expanding support for traditional as well as alternative energy sources," added Vilsack.
The REAP initiative offers funding in grants and loan guarantees for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations and conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.
