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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

USDA invests over $9M in Indiana’s energy independence 

HANNA RAUWORTH
HANNA RAUWORTH
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the funding of four projects in Indiana to increase access to clean energy systems and domestic biofuels. 

USDA is providing $9,130,317 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) with funding from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. 

“This is a significant step forward in empowering our Hoosier communities. It reflects our commitment to enhancing energy independence and fostering economic growth through innovative, sustainable practices,” said Curtis Johnson, acting state director for USDA Rural Development Indiana. 

(Photo/Getty)

USDA is awarding over $130,000 in REAP grants for projects in LaGrange and Wabash counties, designed to help farmers and small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and expand their use of clean energy. 

Projects will include: 

  • Alvin M. and Elsie Miller LLP will use a $20,000 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their operations. Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar array to save the business $17,537 annually and replace 444,200 kilowatt hours annually. 
  • Schlemmer Brothers Metalworks Inc will use a #110,317 grant to develop renewable energy systems for their operations. Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar array to save the business $21,308 annually and replace $174,252 kilowatt hours annually. 

“We believe that by investing in clean energy and homegrown biofuels, we are not only addressing climate impacts but also creating meaningful job opportunities that can transform lives in rural Indiana,” Johnson said. 

Business owners are also receiving nearly $9 million through HBIIP to expand access to domestic biofuels through grants to fueling stations and distribution facility owners. The funds will be used to help business owners install and upgrade fuel pumps, dispensers, storage tanks and more. 

Projects include:  

  • JT Petroleum LLC will use a $5 million grant to expand their sales of renewable fuels through the installation of dispensers and storage tanks. The project is expected to increase the amount of biofuel sold by more than 6 million gallons per year. 
  • Buckeye Terminals LLC will use a nearly $4 million grant to expand the sales of renewable fuels through installation of loading equipment, converting storage tanks and blending equipment for biodiesel. The project expects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by more than 123 million gallons per year. 

For more information about USDA and their efforts, visit rd.usda.gov

This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/ 

To read more news briefs, click here.

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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