Dive Brief:

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make energy efficiency more affordable for rural homes and businesses. It plans to provide rural electric cooperatives up to $250 million to lend to business and residential customers for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.
• In addition to energy audits, the loans may be used for upgrades to heating, lighting and insulation, and conversions to more efficient or renewable energy sources.
• The Energy Efficiency and Loan Conservation Program is part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan.

Dive Insight:

Energy efficiency isn’t just an industrial or urban phenomenon. Funding will be provided to rural electric cooperatives and utilities, who will then re-lend the money to homeowners or businesses to make energy efficiency improvements.

"Ultimately, reducing energy use helps pump capital back into rural communities. This program is designed to meet the unique needs of consumers and businesses to encourage energy efficiency retrofitting projects across rural America." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.