This bill changes the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It tells the Department of Agriculture to promote projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill adds new eligible types of applicants (including producer cooperatives and nongovernmental organizations), allows limited case-by-case help for some cooperatives that do not otherwise qualify, and includes greenhouse-gas reduction potential as a factor when evaluating projects. It requires a statutory percentage in subsection (c)(3)(A) to be changed from 25 percent to 50 percent. The bill creates a streamlined and bundled application process, increases the maximum small grant from $20,000 to $50,000, and requires more outreach, technical assistance, and education—especially about sharing land between energy and agricultural production. It directs a study of "dual-use" systems (renewable energy and agriculture on the same land) with a report and recommendation to Congress within two years. It also removes a requirement that a certain share of project energy must be used by the farm or rural business when a residence shares the same energy meter. Finally, the bill limits outreach spending to no more than 8 percent of Program funds and establishes a reserve fund that must receive at least 15 percent of certain Program funds each year to support underutilized renewable energy technologies.
The bill directs the Department to promote greenhouse gas reductions and other climate benefits, expand who can apply, simplify applications, increase small grant amounts, provide technical help, and study combined farm-and-energy systems. Supporters would say these changes modernize REAP to better support renewable energy projects in rural areas and to consider climate benefits.
No publicly available information.