South Carolina – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shared on Monday their plan to put $207 million into renewable energy and local fertilizer projects nationwide. South Carolina is getting over $7.2 million of this money.
Most of the funding is coming from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
The USDA mentioned that a lot of this funding comes from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This act is a big step towards tackling climate change in the country.
These projects are set to reduce energy bills, bring in new income, create jobs, and boost competition for people working in farming and agriculture.
President Biden and USDA are ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are not only a part of the clean energy economy, but directly benefitting from it,” USDA Secretary Vilsack said. “The investments announced will expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertilizer production, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities.
More than 40 states to split more than $200 million from the United States Department of Agriculture
The Department is awarding $207 million in 42 states for projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).
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South Carolina is receiving over $7.2 million in this round of funding”, said USDA Rural Development South Carolina Public Information Officer Stephanie Bittiker. “Our Fertilizer Production Expansion Program will help increase or expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives. Our goal is to jumpstart the next generation of fertilizers, nutrient alternatives, and other nutrient management products. In addition, our Rural Energy for America Program will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses, like Chapman Solar, make energy efficient improvements to their business and helps increase energy independence. Over time, investments like this will help lower the cost of energy which is climate smart and ultimately help rural America to thrive.
The USDA recently shared news about two major projects. The first one involves Chapman Solar, LLC, a new company in Darlington County that produces electricity. They’re getting a loan of $2,235,000 and a grant of $1,000,000. This money will help them buy and set up a solar power system that can generate 2.71 megawatts. The USDA estimates this system will create about 4,939,400 kilowatt hours each year, enough to supply electricity to 456 houses.
The second project is with a company called UPL NA Inc. They are getting a $3.9 million grant from the FPEP program. This grant will be used to build a facility in Kingstree, South Carolina, for extracting seaweed and making seaweed bio-stimulant fertilizer. According to the USDA, this facility is the first of its kind and will produce around 131,041 gallons of organic seaweed-based fertilizers every year.
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USDA is making the REAP and FPEP awards in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
