Increased Efficiency Will Boost Competitiveness, Promote Job Creation
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded 36 agricultural producers and rural small business in Pennsylvania a total of $546,620 in grants to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
“As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have made it a priority to keep Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and rural Pennsylvania strong,” said Senator Casey. “These grants will help farmers and small businesses improve energy efficiency and harness renewable energy sources, increasing their competitiveness and ability to create jobs.”
The grants are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a 2008 Farm Bill initiative. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Casey helped to pass the 2008 Farm Bill and included a number of provisions to help Pennsylvania farm families. Senator Casey will use his position on the committee to make the new Farm Bill even more fair and equitable for Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, the number one industry in the Commonwealth.
REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other funding sources for small businesses.
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