Senators Warnock, Ossoff announce $2M federal investment for rural Georgia clean energy
Federal funds to benefit farmers and businesses across four counties in Middle Georgia
WASHINGTON, D.C. (41NBC/WMGT) – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff announced Wednesday a federal investment of $2 million aimed at boosting clean energy initiatives in rural Georgia.
The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will benefit farmers and business owners across 14 counties, including Pulaski, Twiggs, Laurens and Johnson in Middle Georgia, according to a news release from Senator Warnock’s Office.
The funds are made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provided $2 billion to REAP for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement grants for agricultural producers and rural small business owners.
“This is exactly the kind of progress Senator Ossoff and I had in mind when we worked to pass the Inflation Reduction Act,” Senator Warnock said. “Delivering clean energy investments that will help farmers and business owners in rural Georgia lower their energy costs and save money is a win-win for our economy and our environment.”
Senator Ossoff thanked President Biden, Vice President Harris and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for helping deliver the investment.
“Senator Warnock and I continue to champion energy security and energy independence to lower energy costs for Georgia’s farmers and businesses,” he said.
The funds will support 17 projects aimed at renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.
Here’s a breakdown of the grant recipients in Middle Georgia:
- Johnson: $82,946 to reduce irrigation energy costs by replacing diesel to electric motor for farmers
- Laurens: $154,352 to reduce irrigation energy costs by replacing diesel to electric motor for farmers
- Pulaski: $99,500 to purchase/install solar array
- Twiggs: $201,399 to reduce irrigation energy costs by replacing diesel to electric motor for farmers
According to the news release, the projected energy savings are estimated to exceed $230,000 each year.
