Washington DC – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced 17 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards totaling more than $7.4 million for Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses to invest in renewable energy infrastructure that will help lower their monthly energy costs.
The awards, which are allocated through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will provide 15 grants to install solar array systems, one grant to upgrade greenhouse vents and siding, and a loan to install a biomass boiler.
“Businesses across Oregon know that leaning into renewable energy sources can help them lower their energy costs and make their businesses more sustainable over the long run,” said Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development. “Unfortunately, the upfront costs of making that switch often leaves rural businesses stuck with outdated energy infrastructure and higher monthly bills. I’ve made funding the REAP program one of my priorities in the appropriations process to help Oregonians make those investments, and I’m pleased that 17 businesses will receive that assistance this year.”
“These 17 rural Oregon companies are making green energy investments that will help them continue to create jobs and long-term savings for Oregonians, benefiting communities throughout the state,” dijo Wyden. “I congratulate each of them for their foresight that’s earned them these federal renewable energy resources.”
The full list of awards for Oregonians are as follows:
- 7 Devils Brewing Co $11,259 Installing a Solar Array System
- Ashland Community Solar 1 LLC $33,287 Installing a Solar Array System
- Astoria Cooperative $47,824 Installing a Solar Array System
- Biodynamics LLC $6,750,000 Install a biomass boiler
- Blue Line Farms, Inc. $31,651 Installing a Solar Array System
- Brad R Graff $2,253 Upgrade Greenhouse Vents & Siding
- Hillock’s Solar LLC $26,145 Installing a Solar Array System
- J&S Speedy Mart, Inc. $15,435 Installing a Solar Array System
- Mid-Valley Farms, Inc. $123,206 Installing a Solar Array System
- Modern Building Systems, Inc. $49,863 Installing a Solar Array System
- NW Bend Boats, LLC $37,899 Installing a Solar Array System
- OR-Park Street Solar LLC $39,089 Installing a Solar Array System
- Stoller Vineyards, Inc. $117,170 Installing a Solar Array System
- Timber Country Umpqua, LLC $78,645 Installing a Solar Array System
- Umpqua Valley Millworks $20,000 Installing a Solar Array System
- Vazquez, Alberto $24,001 Installing a Solar Array System
- OWR Community Solutions, Inc. $20,000 Installing a Solar Array System