Farm Energy News
2008 Farm Bill Passes / Energy Title Summary
The Farm Bill Conference Committee has finished their work resolving the differences between the House and Senate Farm Bills. We provide a summary of the Energy title programs.
Farm Bill would enhance rural America
Americans overwhelmingly agree that achieving more energy independence is necessary for our nation's safety, security and health. Clean wind power and biofuels development is the best strategy to get there. The Farm Bill's innovative clean-energy programs are a success story: good for farmers and ranchers, good for rural economic development and good for the environment.
By ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner.
Carolina dairies see fast payback from solar water systems
Solar energy provides long-term relief from escalating fossil fuel prices. Solar hot water is an economic way to use solar energy. Dairies, especially, have high hot water needs and can benefit. Section 9006 can help dairies build energy independence with solar! This article is by a former ELPC employee and solar expert, Gabriela Martin.
Rural Energy for America Program – We Can't Afford to Pinch Pennies
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) directly helps farmers and rural businesses develop farm-based clean energy opportunities.
The House and Senate Farm Bills give negotiators two different funding levels and implementation plans for REAP.
Section 9006 Grants Deadline: June 16th
The 2008 clean energy grant program has been released. The next grant deadline is June 16th. See our Applications & Tools and the Incentives pages for rules, helpful tools and guides.
Farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses have new opportunities to install energy efficiency upgrades and new renewable energy systems. Now is the time to spread the word to those working on projects.
IREC: Wind Turbine Featured in Rural Cooperatives Magazine
Read about the wind turbine project completed by Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative with the support of a Section 9006 award in the November 2007 "Rural Cooperatives" magazine
Senate's Rural Energy for America Program
The Senate Farm Bill's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) helps to drive new wind power, biofuels, energy efficiency, solar power and other rural-based energy development
Unfortunately, the Senate Farm Bill's proposed $230 million five-year funding level for REAP is woefully insufficient to meet program demand, and falls far short of the House Farm Bill and other proposals
Study Shows Strong Farm Bill Energy Programs Would Help Curb Global Warming
CHICAGO, IL - A new study shows that farm-based renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in the U.S. Farm Bill could reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 57 million metric tons a year - the equivalent of eliminating the pollution from over 11 million cars.
If Congress takes appropriate action by providing robust funding for the Farm Bill's Energy Title.
Midwest governors agree to reduce global warming pollution
Farm energy prospects received a big boost from an accord signed by six Midwestern governors and the Premier of Manitoba on Nov. 15. The region now joins the ranks of both the Northeast and West in enacting a cap-and-trade system to reduce global warming pollution-and marks a major step toward clean energy development.
Support Rural Energy for America
You can act today to advance five year's worth of national clean energy policy. The Farm Bill is passed once every five years and this Farm Bill can spark widespread clean energy development.