MT. LAUREL — Attention Cape May County farmers: there is federal money available for renewable energy projects.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development State Director Howard Henderson is seeking applications from farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make improvements for energy efficiency projects.
Funding is available from four USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
Eligible projects include installing renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar, geothermal, biomass, anaerobic digesters, hydroelectric, and ocean or hydrogen systems. Funding may also be used to purchase energy-efficient equipment, add insulation, and improve heating and cooling systems.
This year New Jersey’s allocation for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for both loan guarantees and grants is over $1.6 million.
More information on how to apply for this funding is available in the April 26 Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9580.pdf.
Complete applications for state allocated funds must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 1. All other applications are due in the New Jersey State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 30 in order to be considered for nationally-pooled funds.
For more information, contact Victoria Fekete, Energy Coordinator at (856) 787-7752 or e-mail her at victoria.fekete@nj.usda.gov.
