歪歪漫画

WASHINGTON 鈥� U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, both D-Minn., have announced nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota with one set for Bemidji's Northwest Cabinets Inc.

The $15,629,305 investment seeks to save farms and rural small businesses $18,414,061 on their energy bills per year while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions with a saving of 170,433,830 kilowatt hours per year 鈥� enough to power 15,727 homes, a release said.

鈥淭he clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,鈥� Smith said in the release. 鈥淏ut as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits, including small towns and rural communities. That鈥檚 one reason why projects funded by the Rural Energy for America Program are so important.

"These investments will help farmers and business owners save money and improve their bottom lines while reducing harmful carbon emissions.鈥�

The project includes Beltrami County, awarding $94,850 for Northwest Cabinets to purchase and install a 48-kilowatt solar array for its commercial and residential cabinet factory, with an annual saving of $21,226 and 60,466-kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes.

鈥淚nvesting in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,鈥� Klobuchar said in the release. 鈥淲ith this federal funding, we鈥檙e taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.鈥�

This year, Minnesota has seen over 380 clean energy projects on farms and in rural communities because of the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP).

REAP funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make operations more energy efficient.

Example projects include installing energy-efficient grain dryers, LED lighting and heat mats for livestock, solar panels or energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

The full list of projects can be found