The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)—most recently reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill—provides loan guarantees and grants for rural small business and agricultural producers to purchase renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, energy audits and feasibility studies. Renewable energy systems include wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, hydrogen and ocean power. Even though REAP was designed to promote renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, a significant amount of REAP funding has been spent on the mature corn ethanol and biodiesel industries, anaerobic digesters for livestock operations, grain dryers, biomass energy, irrigation motors, tobacco curing and “other” projects. REAP funding can still go to biomass energy systems, including ethanol, biodiesel and solid biomass fuels—which receive other subsidies—as well as anaerobic digesters.
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Program
Committees of Jurisdiction
Rural Energy for America Program
Category
Energy - Alternative
Subsidy Type
Discretionary, Mandatory
House Agriculture Committee, Senate Agriculture Committee
$70
FY 23 Budget Score (in mil.)
$2,477
FY 23-32 Budget Score (in mil.)