USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) helps farmers evaluate energy saving opportunities and provides financial assistance to help make energy upgrades happen. EQIP requires an audit first (the program pays for most—if not all—of it). After the audit, you can apply for financial assistance for a lighting project or any other recommendations in the audit.
While applications for this program are accepted on a continuous basis, CERTs recently learned about the upcoming application cut-off dates. We wanted to be sure to share with you as soon as we knew about them!
The EQIP application cut-off dates in 2014 are: July 18, August 15. The NRCS reviews all applications received by these cut-off dates in groups (and any submitted by previous cut-off dates in the same year but not funded) following each of these cut-off dates. Applying is as easy as stopping by your local USDA office and discussing with the NRCS staff there. Find the office nearest you by clicking on your county in this map.
Leverage EQIP to cover approximately 100% of the cost of a comprehensive energy audit. If you need to complete a farm energy audit as part of a rebate request from your utility or as part of a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant or loan application, then EQIP financial assistance for the audit is a great option to consider.
Project ideas: The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) is currently offering a program that is a great fit for EQIP funding: LED Lighting for Turkey Barns – The Gobble Up Savings CERTified Campaign is helping turkey farmers reduce energy use by upgrading to LED lighting in their barns. Switching from high pressure sodium or incandescent lighting to LED lighting presents the greatest savings opportunity. CERTs will help you navigate your funding options to get LED lighting in your barns. Call Fritz Ebinger at 651-789-3330 for details.
Learn more about EQIP funding through:
