Three Aroostook County businesses are among 13 in the state to be awarded federal grants for energy projects.
Buck Farms of Mapleton, County Energy Solutions of Fort Fairfield and Frederic Flewelling Farms of Crouseville will each receive part of the total $119,700 grant package, earmarked for companies in rural Maine to improve their energy efficiency.
According to USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Lisa Mensah, the money was awarded under the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“These 13 businesses are receiving funding under the vital Rural Energy for America Program,” Mensah said. “These grants will help the businesses achieve long-term sustainability through lower energy costs, and will help preserve Maine’s pristine environment through utilization of renewable energy sources.”
Bruce Buck of Buck Farms in Mapleton will receive an award of $5,001. The funds will be used to install a biomass boiler using wood pellets to heat a malting facility previously used as an unheated potato storage facility. The boiler will produce 46,893 kWh of energy, which will allow for temperature control and hot water, crucial to processing the farm’s grain crops.
In Fort Fairfield, County Energy Solutions, LLC will receive $6,792, which will be used to install a ground-mounted, dual-axis solar tracking photovoltaic system at the facility. The 6,840-watt system is expected to generate 11,584 kW annually.
Flewelling of Crouseville has been awarded a grant of $4,499 to install variable-frequency drives on potato storage ventilation fans. The improvement is expected to allow constant operation at a reduced speed instead of intermittent full speed, which will save 22,161 kWh of electricity annually.
REAP was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal.
