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USDA announces high energy grants
WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of $21.9 million to help rural communities cope with extremely high energy costs. Communities have until Oct. 1 to apply for grants under this program.
"These grants will help rural residents and businesses upgrade energy infrastructure and make other energy efficiency improvements," Johanns said. "The rising cost of energy can challenge economic growth and opportunity. These grants are another example of how USDA works to help rural communities overcome economic obstacles and create opportunity."
Funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission or distribution facilities serving communities in which the average residential cost for home energy exceeds 275 percent of the national average.
Grants are available to individuals, businesses, non-profit entities, states, local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes. Grants may not be used to pay utility bills or to purchase fuel. Also, grant funds may not be used for the sole benefit of the applicant.
Applications for grants must be postmarked by Oct. 1. The grant announcement and application guide for this grant program can be found at http://www.usda.gov/ rus/electric and at http:// Grants.gov under Code of Domestic Federal Assistance (CDFA) Number 10.859.
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