USDA awards renewable energy grants to 33 businesses across Maine
Photo / James McCarthy
A USDA grant will provide Isle au Haut's 140 power customers will a solar array that will cover 100% of their energy costs for the next 25 years.
Rural businesses, farms and organizations across Maine will get help with lowering energy costs after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $973,172 in grants to 33 businesses in 12 counties.
The USDA "has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Maine in building stronger and healthier communities," said USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Timothy P. Hobbs. "Today’s investment underscores this commitment.”
Hobbs said the money is "vital" and will provide support for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvement and energy audits for businesses, farms, and organizations.
The grants range from $218,242 to Isle au Haut for a solar array that will cover the community's electric costs for the next 25 years, to four-figure grants for arrays, wood boilers and LED lights for small businesses.
The Isle au Haut project, by far the largest of the 33 grant awards, will replace a 35-year-old underwater electric cable from Stonington. The Isle au Haut Electric Power Co.'s plan to switch to solar for its 140 customers and will save $88,000 a year.
The Rural Energy for America Program provides grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Through the program, the agency funds intermediaries who use the funding to assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits.
Recipients include the following.
Androscoggin County
Ivers Inc., in Lisbon, a grant for $15,742, to be used to buy and install a 24 kW solar array. The project will replace 28,852 kWh (more than 100%) of business energy use and realize $2,866 in savings annually.
Replenova Farm, in Durham, a grant for $7,866, to be used to buy and install a 23,305 kW solar array that will replace 30,569 kWh (85%) of business energy use and realize $3,114 in savings annually.
Aroostook County
Moir Farms LLC, in Woodland, a grant for $100,000, to buy and install a 198 kW solar array that will replace 221,662 kWh (more than 100%) of business energy use and realize $26,997 in savings annually.
L&L Paradis Inc., a grant for $34,125 to buy and install a 61 kW solar array that will replace 93,393 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $13,205 in savings annually.
Cumberland County
Frith Farm, in Scarborough, a grant for $11,798 to buy and install a 23.7 kW solar array that will replace 28,346 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $3,922 in savings annually.
Maureen Goronson, dba The Goronson Farm, in Scarborough, a grant for $10,907 to buy and install a 19.935 kW solar array that will replace 30,265 kWh (more than 100%) of business energy use and realize $2,843 in savings annually.
Downeast Concepts Inc., in Yarmouth, a grant for $50,767 to buy and install a 90.375 kW solar array that will replace 95,537 kWh (88%) of business energy use and realize $16,060 in savings annually.
Natural Selection Inc., in Brunswick, a grant for $21,240 to buy and install a 63.875 kW solar array that will replace 75,440 kWh (22%) of business energy use and realize $10,169 in savings annually.
Bradbury Metalworks LLC, in Pownal, a grant for $2,630 to buy and install a 6.48 kW solar array to replace 7,605 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $911 in savings annually.
Q-Team Inc., in Naples, a grant for $15,998 to buy and install an outdoor wood boiler that will replace 145 MMBTU (95%) of business energy use and realize $3,723 in savings annually.
Hancock County
Hancock County, a grant for $95,000 to be used throughout the county to conduct approximately 15 energy audits for rural small businesses and agricultural producers. The audits will provide analysis to make energy efficiency improvements.
Blue Hill Co-op, in Blue Hill, a grant for $17,114 to buy and install a 128.34 kW solar array that will replace 146,787 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $25,394 of savings annually.
Gerald J. Paradis Inc., in Bar Harbor, a grant for $25,406 to bue used to buy and install a 50.53 kW solar array that will replace 62,932 kWh (76%) of business energy use and realize $11,579 in savings annually.
Knox County
Isle Au Haut Electric Power Co., a grant for $218,242 to buy and install a 311.44 kW solar array that will replace 420,000 kWh, supplying 100% of the island's electricity for the next 25 years, and result in $88,000 in savings annually.
Bench Dogs Inc., in Waldoboro, a grant for $19,875 that will be used to buy and install a 38.19 kW solar arraythat will replace 42,065 kWh (96%) of business energy use and realize $6,878 in savings annually.
Craignair Inn by the Sea, in Spruce Head, a grant for $12,011 that will be used to buy and install a 14.805 kW solar array that will replace 19,809 kWh (60%) of business energy use and realize $3,453 in savings annually.
Union Farm Equipment, in Union, a grant in the amount of $19,800 that will be used to buy and install a 41.85 kW solar array to replace 46,924 kWh (44%) of business energy use and realize $7,452 in savings annually.
Oxford County
TruStrength Properties LLC, in Norway, a grant for $15,927 to buy and install a 30 kW solar array that will replace 46,380 kWh (92%) of business energy use and realize $6,878 in savings annually.
Turning Acquisitions LLC, in Buckfield, a grant for $37,853 to buy and install a 2 MMBTU biomass boiler that will replace 4,800 MMBTU (100%) of business energy use and realize $9,850 in savings annually.
J.W. Davis & Son Inc., in Hanover, a grant for $13,516 to buy and install a 16.32 kW solar array that will replace 21,544 kWh (more than 100%) of business energy use and realize $1,254 in savings annually.
Minuteman Metal LLC, in Oxford, a grant for $17,500 to buy and install 254 LED lighting fixtures to replace existing high-pressure sodium fixtures, which will realize $11,859 and 79,062 kWh in savings annually.
Penobscot County
Orchard Marine Services, in Levant, a grant for $20,000 to buy and install a 37.85 kW solar array to replace 43,188 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $5,259 in saving annually.
Treeline Inc., in Lincoln, a grant for $20,000 to buy and install a 67.5 kW solar array that will replace 78,390 kWh (47%) of business use and realize $12,542 in savings annually.
MHC Inc., in Bangor, a grant for $22,921 to buy and install a 37.6 kW solar array that will replace 42,299 kWh (more than 100%) of business energy use and realize $5,374 in savings annually.
Piscataquis County
Lana Joy Bueschen, dba Turning Page Farm, in Monson, a grant for $7,461 to buy and install a 13.5 kW solar array that will replace 18,602 kWh (94%) of business energy use and realize $3,049 in savings annually.
Rowell's Garage, in Dover-Foxcroft, a grant for $37,704 to buy and install a 54.28 kW solar array that will replace 53,099 kWh (56%) of business energy usage and realize $16,060 in savings annually.
Sagadahoc County
TMDE Calibrations Lab Inc, in Richmond, a grant for $9,545 to buy and install a 16.32 kW solar array that will replace 21,690 kWh (more than 100%) in business energy use and realize $3,535 in savings annually.
Somerset County
Hanne O. Tierney, dba Cornerstone Farm, in Palmyra, a grant for $8,916 to buy and install a 17.8 kW solar array that will replace 21,386 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $3,102 in savings annually.
Emery Pratt, d/b/a Central Maine Mustang, in Palmyra, a grant for $3,394 to buy and install a13 kW solar array that will replace 16,090 kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $6,878 in savings annually.
Waldo County
D.P. Porter Contractors Inc., in Brooks, a grant for $8,000 to buy and install a 24.8 kW solar array to replace 35,690 kWh (100%) in energy use and realize $2,158 in savings a year.
Margaret Mitchell, dba South Paw Farm, in Freedom, a grant for $5,898 to buy and install a 12 kW solar array to replace 14,186kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $2,104 in savings annually.
Noami Brautigam, dba Dickey Hill Farm, in Monroe, a grant for $5,606 to buy and install a 6.5 kW solar array for Dickey Hill Farm to replace 7,737kWh (100%) of business energy use and realize $1,373 in saving annually.
Washington Couny
Brandon Lyons, dba Lyons Variety, in Lubec,a grant for $60,410 to buy and install a 106.8 kW solar array to replace 114,620 kWh (95%) of business energy use and realize $21,136 of savings annually.
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