Ag Energy Funding Opportunities The Dalles March 31, 2011.

Ag Energy Funding Opportunities

The DallesMarch 31, 2011

Thank You

• Stephanie Page – Renewable Energy Specialist, Oregon Department of Agriculture

• Don Hollis – Rural Business Specialist, USDA Rural Development

Benefits to Agriculture• Reduce irrigation pumping cost• In some cases increase yields• Natural resource benefits• Incentives available

Incentives Menu

• State• Federal• Public Utilities/Bonneville Power• Energy Trust of Oregon

Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC)

• Based on capital costs that will be recovered in a 15-year period– Energy efficiency projects (pumps, motors,

lighting, etc.) receive 35% credit– Renewable energy projects receive 50% credit– Must apply for renewable BETC during

application periods

• http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) Overview

• Claimed over five years. • Special pass-through option • Maximum eligible costs are

$20 million per project per year (or $10 million in credits at the 50% rate).

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC)

• Must apply in advance!!!• For renewable BETC, must apply during

allowed application period• Can begin project after applying• But - wait for certification if depending on

credit to finance project

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

Oregon Department of Energy: State Energy Loan Program (SELP)

• 5 - 15 years• Fixed rate• Amounts range from $20,000 to $20 million

http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/LOANS/selphm.shtml

Oregon Department of Agriculture: Irrigation Efficiency Grants

The Oregon Departments of Agriculture (ODA) and Energy (ODOE) have awarded grants to several organizations to distribute to farmers and ranchers for irrigation efficiency improvements.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awarded through the State Energy Program (SEP)

Recipient organizations are: • Wy'East Resource Conservation & Development Council, • Columbia-Blue Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Council, • Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District, • Sisters Irrigation District, DariTech, Inc., and • Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District.

Rural Energy Programs from USDA Rural

Development Vicki Walker, State Director

Jeff Deiss, RBS Program Director

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

• Wind – turbines, small & large• Solar – PV or Thermal• Biomass & Bioenergy – biofuels (e.g.,

biodiesel) or electricity (e.g., biomass boilers & wood pellets) from renewable organic source materials

• Anaerobic Digester – animal waste• Geothermal – electric or direct use• Energy Efficiency – commercial or farm

buildings, irrigation systems

New eligible categories!• Hydroelectric – micro-hydro• – but proven technologies only

http://energy.ruraloregon.biz

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

• Agricultural Producers (50% or more of income from agriculture operation)

• Small Rural Businesses (SBA size standards)

Not eligible:

Nonprofits & public entities

Residential projects

http://energy.ruraloregon.biz

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

• Accepting Application for FY 2011.• Can start project once complete

application is submitted.• Application template is available on

Oregon-RD’s web site.• Consider Hiring Grant Writer• Funding Notice anticipated

http://energy.ruraloregon.biz

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Projects with greatest chance of success: Small renewable energy projects

$20K or less (special set aside) Small wind Rooftop solar Such projects submit simpler applications No feasibility study is required

Energy efficiency projects Energy savings >35% energy audit by a PE or CEM

http://energy.ruraloregon.biz

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) “combos” (grants + guaranteed loans)

• Combination cannot exceed 75% of project cost. Grant amount not to exceed 25%.

• “Combo” projects may enjoy faster approval process & increased access to grants.

• “Combo” requires a willing lender.

http://energy.ruraloregon.biz

http://www.wascoelectric.com/

Bonneville Power AdministrationAgriculture Energy Efficiency

Program Component Measure• Irrigation Pump Testing and System Analysis• Irrigation System Upgrades• Irrigation Scheduling• Variable Frequency Drives• Freeze Resistant Stock Water Tanks/Fountains• Transformer De-energization• New Agricultural Construction• Other Agricultural Measures: low pressure & low energy conversion

Contact

• Wasco Electric• North Wasco PUD• Hood River Electric• Robert Wallace

Energy Trust of Oregon

Serving Private Utilities• Irrigation Equipment • Irrigation Pump Variable Frequency Drive • Irrigation System Conversions • Sprinklers, Nozzles and Gaskets • Motors + Drives

http://energytrust.org/industrial-and-ag/incentives/agriculture/

Your Program Delivery Contractor (PDC) is Cascade Energy Engineering. Contact them at 503.287.8488.

Thank You

Merlin BergWy’East RC&D Coordinator541-296-2391 x117