(TOPEKA, Kan.) The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Kansas Director, Christy Davis announced on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the Department’s plan to move forward with several new clean energy projects to provide rural residents of Kan. with clean, affordable energy. 

According to the USDA Rural Development media release on Wednesday, several clean energy projects are being awarded through the Department’s Powering Affordable Clan Energy program (PACE) to provide residents of rural Kan. with clean, affordable energy resources.

One of these project recipients is KPP Energy, their project, if approved will recieve $35 million to help lower electricity bills for households, expand reliable access to renewable energy, create jobs for rural families, and small businesses in Kan. 

“Rural electric utilities and power generation are the backbone of Kansas power delivery” Director Davis said. “When we invest in them, we strengthen Kansas energy security and opportunities in the state.” 

The USDA Rural Development announcement on Wednesday, September 25th is part of a larger national announcement including projects in seven other states. 

Here are the details of Kan. finalist’s KPP Energy project, according to the USDA Rural Development:

⦁ A plan by KPP Energy to use a $35 million investment to build seven facilities that will produce 18.5 megawatts of solar energy across central parts of the state. This is enough locally generated electricity to power 3,700 homes. The communities near the proposed new power generation facilities include Clay Center, Ellinwood, Greensburg, Hillsboro, Marion, Wellington, and Winfield.

According to the USDA Rural Development, by using renewable energy from natural sources, these investments would make it more affordable for people to heat their homes, run their businesses, power cars, schools, hospitals and more.

In May 2023, USDA made $1 billion available through PACE to fund new clean energy projects and energy storage in rural America. This program provides low interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness to renewable energy developers, rural electric cooperatives and other rural energy providers for renewable energy storage and projects that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass.

To date, USDA has selected 27 projects totaling more than $916 million to move forward in the PACE application process.

USDA expects to continue making PACE awards in the coming months.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas.

This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. 

To learn more about how and where these investments are impacting Americans in rural areas of the United States, click here. 

To learn more about the USDA Rural Development, click here.