Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Annie Kuster (NH-02), applauded $499,120 from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development headed to Clean Energy NH and Plymouth Area Energy Initiative to help rural New Hampshire small businesses and agricultural producers apply for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  

“Clean Energy NH is providing an invaluable service to small businesses and farmers by helping those who need it the most navigate grant opportunities. The time and expertise needed to work through grant processes can represent a huge barrier for small businesses and farmers trying to access critical federal funds – especially in rural communities,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m pleased to see Clean Energy NH and Plymouth Area Energy Initiative continue this much needed service that will help rural businesses take advantage of and implement cost-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.” 

“Making it easier for rural farms and small businesses in the Granite State to access clean energy and improve energy efficiency not only helps lower energy costs but it also combats climate change,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad to see nearly $500,000 in federal funding, thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act, headed to New Hampshire to help our rural communities better access federal resources. We must keep working to ensure that rural communities have the resources they need to grow and thrive.”  

“We need to make it easier, not harder, for our rural small business owners, farmers, and producers to apply for game-changing grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP),” said Congresswoman Kuster. “There is significant funding available for New Hampshire communities through REAP, but we have to ensure they can access it. I’m pleased to see these resources heading to our state to connect hardworking Granite Staters with available grant opportunities and help them submit strong REAP applications.” 

“It is vital that rural small businesses have the tools and resources to grow and succeed,” said Congressman Pappas. “I helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act to support clean energy investments in New Hampshire communities and small businesses that will lower energy costs, protect our environment, and drive economic growth. These federal funds will accomplish that by helping our rural small businesses and agricultural producers access the support they need to make renewable energy investments.” 

Clean Energy NH is a Concord-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting policies and programs that support clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives in New Hampshire. Specifically, these funds will be used to allow Clean Energy NH, in partnership with Plymouth Area Energy Initiative, to assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers with applying for REAP energy efficiency improvement or renewable energy system grants. Shaheen also recently introduced the Energy Circuit Riders Act to support local, on-the-ground experts who can help rural communities take advantage of historic investments in energy efficiency and clean energy. The legislation is modeled after the successful Energy Circuit Rider program run by Clean Energy NH. 

The New Hampshire delegation has championed work to secure federal investments in clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives and lower energy costs across New Hampshire. Shaheen and Hassan negotiated the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes major investments in clean energy. A number of those provisions came from Shaheen’s bipartisan energy efficiency bill – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC) – with former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). She also included the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, the Promoting American Energy Jobs Act and the Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology (HEAT) Act. Shaheen, Hassan and Kuster recently joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in Nashua to highlight the impact of federal investments in energy efficiency initiatives across New Hampshire through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Shaheen also recently visited Exeter to highlight a federal energy efficiency grant the town received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and their leverage of the efficiency and weatherization funding from NHSaves. Shaheen was also a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions for clean energy and climate investments in New Hampshire. Granite Staters looking for energy efficiency resources can check out Senator Shaheen’s Federal Energy Resource Guide. 

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