WASHINGTON — Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar announced 130 new clean energy projects in rural Minnesota on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
In a news release, the senators said the $15.6 million investment will save farms and rural small businesses over $18 million on their energy bills each year.
"The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” Smith said in the release. "But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits, including small towns and rural communities."
The funding comes from the Renewable Energy for America Program, which was strengthened by the Inflation Reduction Act. The money is set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems or to make their operations more energy efficient.
The release said farms and rural Minnesota have seen over 380 projects this year funded by REAP.
Eleven of the projects are in Northern Minnesota, amounting to nearly $1.5 million investment in the region and $122,000 in annual savings.
