Press Release

Welch Celebrates More Than $1 Million for Clean Energy Projects in Vermont Funded by USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program  

Jul 26, 2024

BURLINGTON, VT – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, today celebrated the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of more than $1.12 million to Vermont for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. The funding comes from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and will help Vermont’s rural communities become more sustainable and save on future energy-related expenses. The funding will support the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and rural energy projects in South Burlington, Bennington, Huntington, and East Fairfield. 

“Investments in clean energy help rural small business owners and farmers spend less on utilities and support Vermont’s work to combat the climate crisis. The Biden-Harris Administration has shown steady leadership in ensuring rural America is included in the green energy transition, and this investment is another example of that commitment,” said Senator Welch. “I look forward to this federal investment from the Inflation Reduction Act benefitting our state, and look forward to working with USDA and Vermont’s farmers to continue advancing our green energy goals in Vermont.” 

REAP grants will be used to support projects in Vermont that include: 

  • $181,641 for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to provide technical assistance to agriculture producers across the state; 
  • $150,777 for a roof-mounted solar array at Lundgren Subaru of Bennington in Bennington, Vermont; 
  • $44,996 to replace a wood-fired evaporator with an electric evaporator at Running Saps Mapleworks in Huntington, Vermont; and 
  • $19,464 for solar panels along the barn roof at Does’ Leap Farm in East Fairfield, Vermont, which will replace roughly 95% of the farm’s power usage. 

Today, USDA announced $163 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance for 338 clean energy projects in 39 states and Guam through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. 

Read the announcement from USDA about Vermont’s awards here.  

To learn more about REAP, please click here. 

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