Seven energy projects in Utah will receive $140,500 in funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program, designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption costs. The awards are part of a recent announcement by the USDA to provide more than $21 million in funding for 631 projects in 42 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
“These projects fulfill many of the major goals, policies, and initiative in Utah, including renewable energy development,” said Samantha Mary Julian, director of the Office of Energy Development (OED). “Providing access to our own clean and low-cost energy resources, especially in rural Utah, is one of the goals of the Governor’s 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan.”
Those receiving funding in Utah include:
| Entity | Project | Amount |
| James Farm, Inc., Beaver County | Installation of a photovoltaic solar system | $42,500 |
| Hay R. Cubed, LLC, Beaver County | Installation of a photovoltaic solar system | $20,000 |
| Redmond Minerals, Inc., Wasatch, Sanpete, and Sevier Counties | Installation of a photovoltaic solar system | $20,000 |
| Christopher M. Whiting Enterprises, LLC, Utah County | Installation of a photovoltaic solar system | $19,988 |
| Christopher M. Whiting Enterprises, LLC, Utah County | Installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system | $19,887 |
| Cuisine Concepts, LLC, Sevier County | Installation of a photovoltaic solar system | $16,625 |
| Dwain Finlinson | Install insulation and radian barrier technology in a turkey barn | $1,500 |
REAP helps farmers, ranchers, business owners, and agriculture producers reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations, and conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.
“We appreciate the partnership the state has with the USDA to help provide a way for Utah’s agriculture producers to make their operations more energy efficient through the REAP program, which requires the agriculture producers and businesses to provide a local funding match,” said Alair Emory, manager of energy programs and planning for OED.
“We are excited to see Utah’s rural agriculture producers and businesses receive this funding that will potentially save them hundreds of dollars a month in energy costs,” said Perry Thomson, program manager for the Agriculture Producer Energy Efficiency program for OED and an associate director of USTAR.
For example, it’s estimated that installation of a photovoltaic solar system at Redmond Minerals will save the company more than $19,000 a month in energy costs. James Farm, Inc. and Hay R. Cubed, LLC, both based in Beaver County, are estimating a monthly savings of more than $1,200.
