Press Release

September 09, 2021

REAP Funding an ‘Economic Shot in the Arm for Rural America’

Build Back Better Budget Reconciliation bill adds $2.56 billion over 10 years for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to be part of climate solutions

The Rural Development provisions of the Build Back Better Budget Reconciliation bill released by Congressional Agriculture Committees today would add $2.555 billion over 10 years to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The program supports individual farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses looking to invest in, and benefit from, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.  

“This will move a lot of clean energy projects forward in rural America and agriculture,” said ELPC Senior Policy Advocate Andy Olsen. “With the worsening climate emergency, strong REAP funding creates jobs and opens opportunities for individual farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to invest in climate solutions while reducing their energy costs and boosting profit margins. This REAP funding is an economic shot in the arm for rural America.” 

“ELPC has supported the REAP program since its inception in 2002,” said ELPC Federal Legislative Director Ann Mesnikoff. “We are pleased to see this level of investment from Congress so rural America is included in, and benefits from, the renewable energy economy.” 

Summary of Build Back Better Budget Reconciliation Provisions

Agriculture provisions for Build Back Better Budget Reconciliation Bill