Rural Electric Cooperatives of America Receive $4.37 Billion in Clean Energy Funding

2025-01-29
The USDA’s New ERA program awards $4.37 billion to rural electric cooperatives for renewable energy and battery storage projects, cutting costs and reducing pollution.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program has provided more than $4.37 billion in awards designed to support at least 5,000 jobs, reduce the cost of electricity for businesses and homes, and reduce climate pollution by 1.1 million tons per year. 1.1 million tons of climate pollution.


The New ERA program is part of the Inflation Reduction Act and provides funding to rural electric cooperative members based in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas. The USDA reports that this is the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936.


USDA is committed to improving the quality of life, air and water in rural communities,” said USDA Secretary Vilsack. “The historic investments of the Inflation Reduction Act allow USDA to work with rural electric cooperatives to strengthen America's energy security and lower the electricity bills of hard-working families, farmers and small business owners.”


Minnesota's largest electric cooperative is one of the rural cooperatives to receive a grant of nearly $170 million for more than 282 megawatts of renewable hydroelectric, solar, and wind power, and 20 megawatts of battery storage. These projects are expected to reduce costs for its members, support nearly 400 jobs and reduce climate pollution by more than 1.1 million tons annually.


“Our mission is to provide member-owners and communities with a smarter energy future through a passionate focus on affordability and reliability,” said Brian Burandt. “We are grateful to the USDA for recognizing that our portfolio of projects provides significant benefits to our member-owners by decarbonizing our electricity supply in line with our board-approved resource plan. Our team is eager to put New Era's investments to work for our members and the communities where these programs will be developed.”


As these projects integrate renewable energy with storage solutions, ACE Battery stands ready to support the transition. As a leading manufacturer of energy storage solutions, ACE Battery offers scalable and efficient systems designed to optimize renewable energy use, ensuring affordability, reliability, and sustainability.

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