WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available $21.9 million to help small businesses and governments in rural areas cope with rising energy costs. 

“These funds can help small communities finance the cost of new and more efficient energy systems that will help lower energy costs, while at the same time protect our environment,” said Delahunt.

The High Energy Cost Community Grant Program is administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service and would provide financial assistance for a broad range of energy facilities, equipment and related activities for communities with high energy costs. In the past, this program has helped communities purchase renewable energy systems such as wind turbines and solar panels.  

Grants are available at a range of $75,000 to $5,000,000 and there is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds.  The average grant award in previous years has been $1.4 million.  

Funds may be used to purchase, construct, extend, repair, upgrade and otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities. Grants may be used towards establishing on and off grid renewable energy systems, as well as projects that would improve energy efficiency and energy conservation. Funding is available to individuals, businesses, non-profit entities, states, local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes.

Applications for grants must be postmarked by October 1. The grant announcement and a paper application is available at http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric and must be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Electric Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1560, Room 5165 South Building, Washington, DC 20250. Applications should be marked “Attention: High Energy Cost Community Grant Program.” Interested applicants may also submit an online application at http://www.grants.gov

Further information on this program is available by contacting Karen Larsen, Management Analyst for the USDA at 202-720-9545.

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