Wednesday, May 1 2013 1:21PM
The USDA will provide millions in funding to help improve electric infrastructure in several rural locations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide financing to eight states to be used for rural electric projects that provide more reliable and affordable services for rural residents.
The agency will provide $126 million in loans to improve current electric infrastructure in states that include Colorado and New Mexico, and $20 million of this financing will go directly to Smart Grid projects. Colorado's Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., will receive $73 million in funding to improve more than 50 miles of transmission lines and also upgrade generation and transmission facilities.
"Next month, USDA's Rural Utilities Service will celebrate 78 years of serving rural America and today's announcement adds to that impressive history," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Working with our partners, the Obama Administration and USDA will continue to support projects - like those announced today - that strengthen our rural electric grid and increase overall efficiency."
USDA has undertaken several electric grid projects since 2009, recognizing that access to affordable and reliable electricity is crucial to economic community development. Many rural communities and Native American tribal members lack electricity in homes, making it more challenging to conduct day-to-day tasks and combat grueling weather conditions as the seasons change.
For more information, check out this resource: The U.S. Department of Agriculture