Merkley, Wyden: More Than $7.4 Million in USDA Funds Will Help Rural Oregon Save on Energy Costs

Washington, D.C. – 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 “Unfortunately, the upfront costs of making that switch often leaves rural businesses stuck with outdated energy infrastructure and higher monthly bills.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,” Wyden said. “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:

1. 7 Devils Brewing Co                            $11,259            Installing a Solar Array System
2. Ashland Community Solar 1 LLC          $33,287            Installing a Solar Array System
3. Astoria Cooperative                            $47,824            Installing a Solar Array System
4. Biodynamics LLC                                $6,750,000       Install a biomass boiler
5. Blue Line Farms, Inc.                         $31,651            Installing a Solar Array System
6. Brad R Graff                                      $2,253             Upgrade Greenhouse Vents & Siding
7. Hillock’s Solar LLC                             $26,145             Installing a Solar Array System
8. J&S Speedy Mart, Inc.                       $15,435             Installing a Solar Array System
9. Mid-Valley Farms, Inc.                       $123,206           Installing a Solar Array System
10. Modern Building Systems, Inc.           $49,863             Installing a Solar Array System
11. NW Bend Boats, LLC                         $37,899             Installing a Solar Array System
12. OR-Park Street Solar LLC                  $39,089             Installing a Solar Array System
13. Stoller Vineyards, Inc.                      $117,170           Installing a Solar Array System
14. Timber Country Umpqua, LLC           $78,645             Installing a Solar Array System
15. Umpqua Valley Millworks                 $20,000              Installing a Solar Array System
16. Vazquez, Alberto                             $24,001             Installing a Solar Array System
17. OWR Community Solutions, Inc.       $20,000             Installing a Solar Array System