The US Department of Agriculture promotes cost-saving, clear electrical energy manufacturing
Six Durango companies have obtained greater than $1.1 million in federal grant funding for clear power initiatives reminiscent of photo voltaic array installations in rural Colorado, the US Department of Agriculture introduced Monday. In 2023, Jake Wills, assistant engineer on the La Plata Electric Association, seems to be at photo voltaic panels on the La Plata Electric Association Sunnyside Community Solar Project. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Six Durango companies have obtained greater than $1.1 million in federal grant funding for clear power initiatives reminiscent of photo voltaic array installations in rural Colorado.
The US Department of Agriculture introduced Monday that 11 Colorado companies in Durango, Palisade, Cope, Pueblo West and Center have been awarded a complete of $2,964,306 by the Rural Energy for America Program.
USDA Rural Development promotes financial growth with loans and grants. Crestina Martinez, Colorado director, stated in a information launch that the REAP grant awards “spotlight the dedication and forward-thinking of rural Colorado in selling renewable power inside their communities” and “display our dedication to growing a sustainable future and drive financial progress.”
Durango companies awarded funding embody the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; Tailwind Nutrition; James T. Duke Inc. doing enterprise as Target Rental; Goff Engineering & Surveying Inc.; Durango Machining Innovations; and Adelie LLC.
In complete, they obtained $1,186,686 from the federal authorities.
The USDA highlights the fee financial savings that each enterprise can get pleasure from due to photo voltaic power initiatives.
D&SNG, which was awarded $726,954 for a 520.98 kilowatt photovoltaic photo voltaic unfold on its roundhouse constructing and diesel upkeep store, is anticipated to avoid wasting $56,321 yearly “and generate 730,165 kilowatt hours (kWh) or 106 % of their historic power use per yr, which is sufficient power to energy 67.3 homes,” in keeping with the division of agriculture.
Grant awards, anticipated to avoid wasting prices and renewable power era for the remaining companies in Durango are:
- $95,760 to Tailwind Nutrition for a 54.72 kilowatt photo voltaic array on its industrial constructing, which is able to substitute nearly all of its annual power use and save about $7,300 per yr.
- $33,265 for Target Rental for a 19.2 kilowatt photo voltaic array on its industrial constructing, with $704 in power price financial savings per yr and anticipated manufacturing of 126% of its annual power use.
- Goff Engineering & Surveying Inc. obtained $44,595 to put in a 27.2 kilowatt photo voltaic array on its industrial constructing, with an anticipated price financial savings of $858 per yr and manufacturing of 116% of the power it makes use of in a yr.
- $266,112 to Durango Machine Innovations, LLC for a 161.28 kilowatt photo voltaic array at its industrial manufacturing facility that’s anticipated to generate 286,895 kilowatt hours, or 85% of annual power use.
- And the $20,000 given to Adelie LLC for a 13.2 kilowatt photo voltaic array on its constructing, is anticipated to avoid wasting $1,780.89 in power prices every year. It can produce about 17,509 kilowatt hours, 142% of its annual power use.
According to the USDA, purposes for REAP funding will stay open till September 30.
In an e mail to The Durango HeraldMartinez stated USDA Rural Development has stepped up advertising efforts this yr with the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, which serves as technical help grant suppliers for the federal agriculture division.
They supply hands-on help to farmers, ranchers and small rural enterprise house owners looking for federal funding for renewable power initiatives, together with photo voltaic and power, he stated. .
He stated REAP has awarded practically $33.5 million since 2021. Applications within the newest software spherical, which closed Sunday, at the moment are being reviewed.
REAP started below the Investing in America agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, he stated.
“REAP investments create jobs and spur financial growth in rural communities by clear power initiatives that additionally decrease prices for agricultural producers and small companies and households in countryside,” he added.
cburney@durangoherald.com