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)
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.
Current Application Deadline: Letter of Intent due by March 1, 2024 | Phase 1 applications due by April 1, 2024
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.
Current Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
Upcoming Cutoff Dates for Fiscal Years 2024
- March 31, 2024
- June 30, 2024
- September 30, 2024
Wood Innovations Grant Program
The Wood Innovations Grants Program stimulates, expands, and supports U.S. wood products markets and wood energy markets to support the long-term management of National Forest System and other forest lands. Focus areas include mass timber, renewable wood energy, and technological development that supports hazardous fuel reduction and sustainable forest management.
Application Deadline: December 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. local time
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