http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Chion/nc%20110421%20rural%20energy.mp3
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture gathered at a wholesale greenhouse in Connecticut, today to celebrate a federal program that funds energy projects. WNPR’s Nancy Cohen reports.
It’s called REAP, Rural Energy for America Program. It helps farms and rural small businesses pay for renewable energy systems and improve energy efficiency. The program helped fund a biomass heating system at Grower Direct Farms in Somers. Since the nursery fired up the wood burning boiler two years ago the company cut oil usage from 500,000 gallons a year to only 50. Standing in front of the boiler, Judith Canales from the U.S.D.A. congratulated the company for meeting the goals of the REAP program
“To reduce energy costs for business owners such as yourself... This is a significant improvement, as well as, truly a national investment here in Connecticut.”
Sam Smith of Grower Direct Farms says reducing the cost of heating his greenhouses has been critical.
“It means we can stay in business, because heating with #2 fuel oil, I don’t believe would have been a sustainable option for us long term. You sometimes have to make tough choices about how hot to make a house that you’re growing your geraniums in, but when fuel comes down in price then we can grow them the way we want to grow them. And so the products that are leaving here are better quality than they were a couple of years ago, more color, bigger. That allows us to compete better and win more business.”
The USDA is inviting farms and small businesses in rural areas to apply for $42 million in grants and more than $60 million in loan guarantees for energy improvements.