Merkley, Wyden Announce $8.7 Million in Funding for Energy Efficiency Upgrades on Oregon’s Farms and Ranches

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $8.7 million is headed to Oregon to help 27 farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses adopt renewable energy technologies, conduct critical energy audits, and make pollution and cost-cutting energy efficiency improvements. 

“As the coronavirus continues to cost our agricultural industry their lives and livelihoods, we must do everything we can to pave a path forward toward a healthier and more prosperous future,” said Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the USDA. “Energy efficiency upgrades will help farmers and ranchers lower costs, cut pollution, and create jobs—a commonsense, win-win-win part of that path. I’m pleased that these funds are headed to Oregon, and will keep working to ensure that people in every part of our state have the chance to build better, more prosperous, healthier lives.”

“Oregon farmers and ranchers working hard to build their businesses and the rural jobs they create can use these federal funds to support their cost-reduction efforts with energy efficiency upgrades,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these traditional Oregon agricultural enterprises facing the economic challenges from the ongoing public health crisis have secured these timely green energy resources. And I’ll keep battling to help our entire state respond to the ongoing coronavirus challenge and to be well-prepared to rebound on the other side.”

The funding, which includes $7.6 million in loan guarantees and $1.05 million in grants, is being administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  Merkley has prioritized funding the program through the USDA appropriations bill he helps write each year.

Links to each recipient’s funding allotment amount, and the specific upgrades those awards will fund, are available here and below: Minke Solar, Quailhurst Vineyard Estate, Port Orford Community Co-op, Yogeshwar, Inc. dba Dreamers Lodge, Oregon Institute of Technology, Hood Crest Winery, Ashland Community Solar I, Kent Simmons, Kenagy Family Farm, Inc., Roger Findley, Brush Creek Solar, LLC dba Silverton, Goschie Farms, Inc., Kuenzi Electric, Inc., Drift Creek Solar, LLC, Little Prince of Oregon Nursery, Inc., T&P Farms, LLC, Clackamas Community College, The Seventh Son, LLC dba Live Local Organics, Abbott’s Developments, LLC, Ashland Community Solar 3, LLC, Zachary Edwards, Eder Bros Inc., JB Instant Lawn, Inc., Mullen Farms, Inc., Tracy W. Buhler, K&L Madison, LLC, and Arrowhead Pipeline Association.