Article excerpts:

“USDA has provided some clarification on it decision to release rural energy funding for rural electric cooperatives, small businesses and farmers that the department is releasing potentially billions for rural energy projects.

Initially, the department's news release implied grant and loan recipients have the option of repurposing the language for their funding to fit the Trump administration's energy goals.

USDA on Wednesday responded to questions from DTN stating that the department will honor its funding commitments to rural communities "including the farmers, ranchers, and small businesses at their core -- and their essential role in building a stronger, more energy secure America."

The announcement also included a voluntary 30-day window for awardees to review and revise their project plans. "USDA Rural Development is contacting individual recipients with directions on how to participate. Rural Development will review and must approve any proposed changes. Awardees that do not respond via the website will be considered as not wishing to make changes to their proposals, and disbursements and other actions will resume after 30 days. For awardees who respond via the website to confirm no changes, processing on their on their projects will resume immediately."

After months of freezing funds for the Rural Energy For America Program (REAP), Empowering Rural America (New ERA) and Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) programs, USDA issued a news release late Tuesday stating Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins "will release previously obligated funding" under REAP and PACE.

"This announcement underscores the Trump administration's commitment to rural communities -- including the farmers, ranchers, and small businesses at their core -- and their essential role in building a stronger, more energy secure America," USDA stated.”

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