DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 14, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Thursday), announced that USDA is investing $18,367,170 in 195 projects across the state to strengthen the economy and lower costs for agricultural producers and rural small business owners with funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). “All these projects funded today shine a light on how to fulfill the promise of reliable, renewable clean energy for Iowans,” said Director Greenfield. “USDA is delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increasing access to clean sources of energy and lowering costs for ag producers, small businesses, and families in Iowa.”

Today’s REAP awards in Iowa include a $500,000 grant to Elite Octane, LLC, an ethanol manufacturing operation in Atlantic. The grant will be used to install a new, more efficient oil recovery system. Officials say the project is expected to save $913,582 per year. It will also save 10,103,986 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 932 homes.

The other projects and their funding can be found online. REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.