State Launches Energy Saving Grants for Farmers - Cornell University Cooperative Extension Fulton and Montgomery Counties

State Launches Energy Saving Grants for Farmers
Posted 1/10/2011 by Marilyn Smith

The New York Energy Research and Development Authority has launched a new grant program to help New York farmers cut utility bills. The new $3.2 million Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program, announced last week, is currently accepting applications. Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, NYSERDA said. New York farmers can apply by completing a two-page application.

Farmers can then receive grants for up to 75 percent of the costs to update lighting, install high-efficiency motors and fans, and other projects that will save energy. Farmers would pay the remaining 25 percent.

To better understand a farm’s energy needs, the agency says it can perform energy audits at no cost for audits up to $1,500. “For more complex audits exceeding $1,500, NYSERDA offers a cost-sharing option to help you defray some of the expense,” the NYSERDA website says.

“Past NYSERDA programs demonstrate that a typical dairy farm can save 20 to 30 percent of its energy bill with cost-effective energy efficiency improvements at an average seven-year payback. The Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program can provide a typical dairy farm with $2,700 to $4,000 per year in savings from a farm investment of $4,800 to $7,000,” a NYSERDA news release said.

For more information and download an application visit NYSERDA’s Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program website.

“NYSERDA looks forward to working with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Public Service Commission, and others to ensure that farm and on-farm production operations all across New York benefit from this important initiative,” the NYSERDA news release said.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension regards on-farm energy efficiency as a crucial element of energy planning for New York State and in ensuring agricultural sustainability and profitability,” said Deborah Grantham, Assistant Director for Environment & Natural Resources at the Cornell Cooperative Extension. “We are very pleased to partner with the Cuomo administration on this extremely important and timely effort."