Programs and Announcements

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:

Programs

Announcements (Federal Register Financial and Rules Notices)

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.

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:
Grant competition deadlines are December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Only complete applications can compete for funding. See applicable Federal Register Notice below for more information. Guaranteed loans compete on an on-going basis in accordance with 7 CFR 5001.315

(The Agency is accepting applications again starting October 1, 2024. Competition dates will be published in a Notice of Funding Opportunity and the link to the Federal Register document will be posted on the program website once it publishes. Please check back frequently for updates.)

Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program, USDA announces $163M for projects, these investments are in Rural Communities to lower energy costs and create jobs in 39 States and Guam as part of Investing in America Agenda. A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program

The purpose of the HBIIP is to significantly increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The program is also intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to market higher blends by sharing the costs related to building out biofuel-related infrastructure.

Application Window: Closed

Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants

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

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

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 Window: Open

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP) provides loans to finance energy efficiency and conservation projects for commercial, industrial, and residential consumers. With the EECLP, eligible utilities, including existing Rural Utilities Service borrowers can borrow money tied to Treasury rates of interest and re-lend the money to develop new and diverse energy service products within their service territories.

Application Window: Open

Energy Resource Conservation

The Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) Program enables current Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to make funds available to their consumers for energy conservation and renewable energy projects by deferring payment of principal and interest.

Application Window: Open