Washington, December 22, 2023 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will hire 40 climate change researchers to help process a record number of applications from farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses seeking funding for clean energy programs under the Rural Energy Program (REAP). . These new positions are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in U.S. history to combat the climate crisis and a key pillar of Biden Economics and part of the Investing in America agenda.
Under Secretary of Agriculture Torres Small said the Biden-Harris administration is working to ensure that as many people as possible have access to historic funding to improve clean energy on their farms, ranches and businesses. These innovations will help them increase revenue, grow their businesses, combat climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
These positions are part of the USDA Climate Change Fellows program, which hires new employees with a range of skills to carry out USDA activities to address climate change and find solutions to agricultural challenges, grow the economy and provide Farmers and ranchers create new income streams and producers. The program brings expertise and new perspectives to federal workers and increases climate awareness in state offices across the country. These historic investments in future agricultural leaders will help USDA attract the best and brightest to meet the growing challenges of the farm economy.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $2 billion in funding for REAP to meet the growing needs of farmers and small business owners who want to expand the use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and improve energy efficiency to provide Business owners save money and in some cases generate new revenue streams through net metering and power purchase agreements. To date, USDA has provided $1.25 billion, and the number of grant applications under the program has increased dramatically. The plan is part of President Biden’s Justice 40 initiative, which aims to have 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Three of the new positions will report to the USDA National Office of Rural Development. To apply, please visit this US job posting.
The two fellows will be based in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware/Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
To apply for a position in one of these states, visit this US job posting. To apply for jobs in Puerto Rico, visit this U.S. job posting.
Initial appointments may last up to two years. Additional one-year extensions extend up to four years. Most states will receive additional funding to be announced later to provide REAP technical assistance in addition to these staffing positions.
Background: Inflation Reduction Act
The core pillar of being a president Invest in the United States According to the agenda, the Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest investment in climate action in history. It is also the largest single investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
The Biden-Harris Administration is championing the Lower Inflation Act to help provide new funding and unprecedented incentives to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs and spur economic growth. It is lowering energy costs, bringing opportunity to communities across the United States, and combating the climate crisis through investments in agriculture, forest restoration, and rural communities.
REAP is part of the Justice40 initiative, which works to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments reach disadvantaged communities that have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
To learn more about investment resources in rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact your nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants that help expand economic opportunity, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, please visit www.rd.usda.gov.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
#USDA #Accepting #Applications #Climate #Change #Fellows #Record #Number #Farmers #Rural #Small #Businesses #Access #President #Bidens #Clean #Energy #Fund #Investing #Americas #Agenda
Image Source : www.usda.gov