Agriculture can strengthen our nation’s energy security. More clean renewable energy and energy efficiency in rural America helps to meet our nation’s energy needs while boosting local economies, improving environmental quality and strengthening our energy infrastructure.
Americans are looking for more clean energy choices, and agriculture can provide them. The 2002 Farm Bill created programs to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses invest in wind power, biofuels, solar power, energy efficiency improvements and other clean energy technologies. These programs were expanded in 2008 to offer even more substantial grants and loan guarantees to jumpstart clean energy projects. Agriculture producers and rural businesses are responding enthusiastically, with applications far exceeding available funds.
These new clean energy programs are a win-win-win-win for farmers and ranchers, national energy security, rural economic vitality and the
environment.
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Report date: 2010
