By Jamie Martin
The USDA announced a historic $4.37 billion investment in clean energy under its Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. This funding will support rural electric cooperatives to create jobs, reduce electricity costs, and combat climate pollution.
“USDA is committed to enhancing the quality of life and improving air and water in our rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The New ERA initiative is a major step under the Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest rural electrification effort since the 1936 Rural Electrification Act. The program funds member-owned cooperatives, which have been vital to America’s rural energy sector for decades.
One of the beneficiaries, Connexus Energy in Minnesota, received $170 million for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and battery storage, expected to reduce emissions by 1.1 million tons annually and support nearly 400 jobs. Other notable recipients include:
- CORE Electric Cooperative (Colorado): $225 million for renewable energy and battery storage.
- Nebraska Electric G&T: $200 million for wind and solar energy benefiting 170,000 homes.
- Seminole Electric Cooperative (Florida): $1.3 billion for solar projects reducing 3.5 million tons of emissions.
In total, these projects will create over 5,000 jobs and reduce climate pollution by 11 million tons annually. They also align with the Justice40 Initiative, ensuring 40% of federal investment benefits disadvantaged communities.
The USDA continues to transform America’s food and energy systems, focusing on sustainability, equity, and economic growth. Learn more at www.usda.gov.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National