Renewable Energy Grants Awarded For Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Twenty-five Minnesota farmers and rural small businesses are getting almost $300,000 in renewable energy grants.

The money will help them install renewable energy systems or flex fuel pumps, and make energy efficiency improvements. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program.

USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer says the funding helps reduce America's dependence of foreign energy and boosts the rural economy.

The REAP program has helped over 300 Minnesota farmers and small businesses cut energy costs. New this year is the ability to finance flex fuel pumps. The Glencoe Co-op Association, Viking Petroleum in Frost and Severson Oil in Winona are the first three projects in Minnesota to take advantage.

Over 900 projects totaling more than $11 million were announced nationally Wednesday.

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