Energy Grants & Loans Deadlines Announced

Jennifer Duffield White

If you’ve been keeping tabs, you’ll know that the Rural Energy for America Program got a huge boost in funding in the new Farm Bill, but we’ve been waiting to hear about deadlines for applications. This is grant/loan money that helps growers, retailers and other ag producers invest in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Think solar panels, energy curtains, biomass boilers, and so on.

You may have even read the article in the November 2014 GrowerTalks, which explains some of the changes. So, a little later than expected, the Federal Register finally made it official. Deadlines and guidelines have been set. They’re grouping together applications for funding provided for fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015.

Here are the basic timelines: (Dates refer to the open and close dates for applications.)

December 29, 2014—February 12, 2015: Applications for energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants.

July 8, 2014—April 30, 2015: Applications for grants over $20,000 and combinations, for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.

July 8, 2014—April 30, 2015: Applications for grants of $20,000 or less and competing for set-aside funds, for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement grants.

May 1, 2015—June 30, 2015: Applications for grants of $20,000 or less not competing for set-aside funds, or over $20,000 and combinations, for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.

Continuous application cycle: Guaranteed loans.

Need help? It looks a little complicated, but rest assured, they really are trying to make this process easier, especially for smaller grants. Your state office may be offering workshops to help applicants. Plus, our industry has a guy who specializes in writing these grants for greenhouse growers: Dan Kuipers, grant specialist at BioTherm Solutions/TrueLeaf Technologies. GT