A USDA Rural Development program would help fund three solar projects in Iowa. (Photo by Sirisak Boakaew/Getty Images)
A federal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is funding solar projects in Iowa that will produce enough renewable energy to power more than 1,200 homes.
SE Municipal Iowa, a subsidiary of Sandhills Energy, would receive $6.9 million for the project as part of USDA Rural Development’s Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.
The company held groundbreaking ceremonies this week for the ground-mounted, single axis tracking solar photovoltaic facilities in Indianola and Waverly.
“When we invest in electric power delivery, we strengthen the nation’s energy security,” Iowa’s state director for USDA Rural Development, Theresa Greenfield, said in a press release.
Greenfield said the projects will create jobs and lower electricity bills in the three communities. Companies receiving the grants are still finalizing some of their paperwork, but Greenfield said they wanted to have a ground breaking before it got too cold.
“We’re flying the airplane as we’re building the airplane,” she said in interview. “It’s pretty exciting.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The Iowa project is one of eight projects nationally that, if approved, would total $248 million in PACE funding, according to an announcement from USDA and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is proud to partner with these organizations to create a more affordable and sustainable future benefiting rural families, businesses and the health of our planet for generations to come,” Vilsack said.
Another project, based in Wisconsin, plans to use a $75.9 million investment to build 22 ground mounted solar arrays that would offer renewable energy to Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
Kansas, Nevada, Tennessee, Colorado and Texas were also selected as projects USDA plans to advance.
The funding comes in the form of low-interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness on renewable energy projects.
PACE funding is part of the Inflation Reduction Act plan to strengthen energy security and deploy renewable energy. The program’s focus in rural America fits with the Justice 40 Initiative, to ensure disadvantaged communities receive 40% of overall federal funding for things like climate, clean energy.
SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.