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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 11:07:13 -0700
From: "Kevin Fullerton" kevin@nwseed.org
Subject: USDA ANNOUNCES OVER $21 MILLION TO SUPPORT RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS

Release No. 0295.03
Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498



USDA ANNOUNCES OVER $21 MILLION TO SUPPORT RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AND
ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS


DES MOINES, Iowa, August 25, 2003---The U.S. Department of
Agriculture announced the selection of 113 applications for renewable
energy systems and energy efficiency improvement grants in 24 states
totaling $21,207,233, including over $1.2 million for nine recipients
from Iowa.

The grant program is part of the Bush Administration's overall
effort to increase America's energy independence through the development
of renewable energy resources as well as improving efficiency of
existing systems.

"America's rural businesses, farmers and ranchers are key to the
development of renewable energy for our country," Under Secretary for
Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr said during a press conference here
with Senator Charles Grassley. "The capital investments being made
through these grants will support the conversion of our natural
resources and residuals of farming operations into new sources of energy
and help meet the energy goals outlined by President Bush in 2001."

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the Renewable Energy Systems and
Energy Efficiency Improvements program. Applicants for the funding
include agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens
or legal residents and have demonstrated financial need. Rural
Development grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the
eligible project costs. Eligible projects include those that derive
energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen
derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy
sources. Awards were made on a competitive basis for the purchase of
renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements.

Funding to assist with the development of renewable energy systems
included: 35 applications totaling $7.4 million to support wind power,
30 applications totaling $7 million for anaerobic digesters, 6
applications totaling $1.1 million solar and 16 applications totaling
$3.9 million for a ethanol plants/anaerobic digesters, direct combustion
and fuel pellet systems. Awards were made on a competitive basis for the
purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements.



The following is a complete list of approved project dollars by state:

California - $691,830

Hawaii - $60,966

Idaho - $1,010,000

Illinois - $2,186,596

Iowa - $1,258,440

Kansas - $29,075

Massachusetts - $970,000

Michigan - $434,500

Minnesota - $4,678,632

Mississippi - $231,503

Missouri - $124,499

Montana $37,000

Nebraska - $177,654

New York - $2,878,027

North Carolina - $130,000

North Dakota - $10,410

Ohio - $2,043,612

South Carolina - $15,000

South Dakota - $62,500

Texas - $999,350

Vermont - $79,001

Virginia - $500,000

Washington - $883,028

Wisconsin - $1,715,610



A list of selected applicants can be found at the USDA Rural
Development web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way
that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the
quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural
Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and
foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical
community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural
programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by
visiting USDA's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.