Rural Energy Resources

State Program Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Commerce, Tribal Consultation Policy
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Agriculture and Rural Communities Energy Roadmap
• Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Agricultural Energy Grant Program
• Wisconsin Public Service Commission Office of Energy Innovation, Focus on Energy Incentive Program for Energy-Efficient Propane Equipment
• California Energy Commission, 2021 Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Highlights, AgMonitor, Inc.

Written Resources:

• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Federal Energy Funding for Rural and Remote Areas: A Guide for Communities 
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Inflation Reduction Act – Upcoming Events and Guidance
• USDA Rural Development, Selected Federal Support for Clean Energy by Applicant Types
• USDA Rural Development, Selected Federal Support for Clean Energy by Potential Uses
• Rural Electric Cooperative Resources, Cooperative-Resource
• Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Briefing Series: Farm Bill 2023 in Focus

Selected Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Provisions:

• IIJA Sec. 40109 – State Energy Program
• IIJA Sec. 40552 – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
  • Application guidance
• IIJA Sec. 40103 – Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (“ERA”)
  • Funding Opportunity Announcement (May 2023)
  • Funding Opportunity Announcement (March 2023)
  • Energizing Rural Communities Prize

Selected Inflation Reduction Act Provisions:

• IRA Sec. 22001 – Electric Loans for Renewable Energy ("Powering Affordable Clean Energy")
  • Federal Register Notice
• IRA Sec. 22002 – Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
  • Funding Opportunity Announcement
• IRA Sec. 22003 – Biofuel Infrastructure and Agriculture Product Market Expansion
  • Federal Register Notice
• IRA Sec. 22004 – The Empowering Rural America Program (“New ERA”)
  • Federal Register Notice
  • IRA Sec. 22006 – Farm Loan Immediate Relief for Borrowers with At-Risk Agricultural Operations
• IRA Sec. 22007 – USDA Assistance and Support for Underserved Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters
• IRA Sec. 80003 – Tribal Electrification Program
• IRA Sec. 50145 – Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program

Annual Programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

• USDA Rural Energy Savings Program (annual)
• USDA Rural Energy for America Program (annual)
• State Contacts for USDA Rural Development Program
  • State USDA Rural Development office websites
  • Find your USDA energy coordinator (for applying to Rural Energy for America Program)