Date: 8/18/2014

Source: Seanica Otterby, National Association of Farm Broadcasters

Audio with Ron Omann, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Energy Coordinator (MP3 1.8 MB). Download Windows Media Player. Time: 00:01:59.

The Energy Title in the 2014 Farm Bill includes reauthorization of several programs that have been established, including the Renewable Energy for America Program, or REAP. Since the beginning of the program in 2003, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Energy Coordinator Ron Omann says Minnesota has been one of the leaders in general funding.

"Initially we saw a lot of larger wind projects, the community wind turbines. But as the funding has become more competitive, and those projects are harder to get through the process, that's switching over to more small wind, less-than-40-kilowatt projects."

Omann says he's seen good success in a variety of projects, but he highlights one in the central part of Minnesota.

"A farmer outside of Gaylord, Minnesota installed a 40-kilowatt turbine and has seen better production than what he had provided to us that he would have. So that's a good project that we feel highlights good siting, good technology, and a good use of the resource available."

For anyone interested in applying for REAP funding, Omann says each state has its own template to help with the application process.

"In terms of the project, I have found especially in competitive states, keeping the project small helps, and it helps being a small producer. And this is all relating to the points system. If your project has a low payback in terms of the amount of years, that's also helpful. And it also really helps if you can document replacing or saving energy at a higher percent. So if you can save let's say upwards of 40 or 50%, your project is going to score better than if you say it's 25%, and that's going to be determined in an audit or some sort of assessment of your energy bill."

For more information, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.