USDA supports the entire supply chain of renewable energy production, from feedstock research and development to the consumer, through programs in:
- Research and education
- Feedstock development and production
- Feedstock conversion and commercialization
- Renewable electricity production
- Energy efficiency and conservation
- Other USDA energy-related programs
USDA draws expertise from more than a dozen USDA agencies and offices, including:
- Agricultural Marketing Service
- Agricultural Research Service
- Departmental Management
- Economic Research Service
- Farm Service Agency
- Forest Service
- Foreign Agricultural Service
- National Agricultural Statistics Service
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- Office of the Chief Economist
- Rural Development, Rural Business and Cooperative Service
- Rural Development, Rural Housing Service
- Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service
Programs
- Advanced Biofuel Payment Program
- Biofuel Producer Program
- BioPreferred Program
- Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
- Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program
- Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
- Conservation Loan Program
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP)
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- High Energy Cost Grants
- Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)
- Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Development Grants
- Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
- Rural Energy Pilot Program
- Wood Innovation
Announcements (Federal Register Financial and Rules Notices)
Here is a list of current notice of solicitation for applications, and Federal Register rules and proposed rules announcements at USDA for energy/renewable energy programs. A brief description of the program is below, click on link for details regarding eligibility, other requirements, how to apply, point of contact, terms, Q&A and more.
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
This program provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are: advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. (Letter of Intent required)
Application Window: Open
- Letter of Intent deadline: On or Before September 1, 2022
- Submit Applications no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, October 1, 2022.
Distributed Generation Energy Project Financing
The RUS Electric Program can provide loans and loan guarantees to energy project developers for distributed energy projects including renewables that provide wholesale or retail electricity to existing Electric Program borrowers or to rural communities served by other utilities. Electric Program project financing loans follow the same regulatory requirements and processes as do our traditional electric infrastructure loans and loan guarantees (also known as system loans or loans for rural electrification).
Application Deadline: Open
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers a program to support Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Practices with a focus on Climate-Smart Forestry and Agriculture and Drought Resilience management practices.
Application Deadline: Open
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant
This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA).
Application Window: Open
- Applications due January 31, 2023
Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
Application Window: Open
- Applications due October 31, 2022 (set-aside) and March 31, 2023
Rural Energy Pilot Program
The Rural Energy Pilot Program (REPP) grant offers financial assistance for rural communities to further develop renewable energy.
Application Window: Open
- Letter of Intent: On or Before April 19, 2022
- Submit Completed Applications no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, July 18, 2022
Rural Energy Savings Program
The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural utilities and other companies who provide energy efficiency loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures. (Letter of Intent required)
Application Window: Open