Posts tagged "Ohio"

Ohio Workshop Highlights New Farm Bill Energy Assistance Programs

Friday, September 5, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Farmers and rural residents can discover more about the new Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) as part of the Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Workshop to be held Sept. 12, at the Sawmill Creek Resort and Conference Center, 400 Sawmill Creek Drive, Huron, Ohio.

REAP provides funding to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to help finance the installation of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. Grants and loan guarantees are available for businesses interested in installing an on-site renewable energy generation system using wind, solar, biomass and/or geothermal technology. Funding is also available to install energy efficiency improvements designed to reduce energy use and better control energy costs.

The half-day workshop features keynote addresses from the USDA-Rural Development Undersecretary Tom Dorr and Ohio Ninth District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. Presentations from USDA, the Ohio Energy Office and others will help participants start the research, planning and grant application process for the upcoming 2009 program year.

The Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Workshop is sponsored by the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), USDA-Rural Development, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio Farmers Union.

Contact CIFT at www.cift.eisc.org for registration and more information. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but seating is limited.

Pushing for Renewable Energy

Monday, July 14, 2008

In May, 2008, Ohio passed an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AES) that requires that 12.5% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2025. Ohio has a unique approach where “alternative” also include non-renewable sources which must also provide 12.5% by 2025. These alternative non-renewable sources include third generation nuclear power, energy efficiency, fuel cells, an so-called “clean coal” technology.

ELPC is working with allies in Ohio to further use the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP, formerly Section 9006). Ohio has received 16 grants for a total of $3.7 million from 2003-2007. REAP can help Ohio achieve the goals in the AES.