Empowering Rural America (New ERA)

Agency: Department of Agriculture-Rural Utilities Service

 

Description:

Loans and other financial assistance for “… the greatest reduction in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions associated with rural electric systems through the purchase of renewable energy, renewable energy systems, zero-emission systems, and carbon capture and storage systems, to deploy such systems, or to make energy efficiency improvements to electric generation and transmission systems…”

Bill Section:

22004

US Code:

7 USC 8103

New or Existing:

New

Potential Cost:     

$9,700,000,000

Timeline:     

FY22-31

Implementation Status/Rulemaking:   

On May 16, 2023, USDA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity: Source

The application period for LOIs opened on July 31, 2023 and closed September 15, 2023.

TCS Notes:

Program has a total budget authority of $9.7 billion. CBO estimated outlays for FY22-31 are $9.6 billion.

USDA must define how to prioritize projects based on reductions in GHG emissions and other factors.

Other TCS Resources:

TCS Comments to USDA on Bioenergy Spending