USDA Suspends Renewable Energy Grants, Impacting Rural Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant awards to update regulations in compliance with a Trump executive order. This suspension has halted new grant applications and funding for renewable energy projects in rural areas. REAP, which has historically provided over $1.8 billion in grants and loans to support renewable energy initiatives, has not committed any new funds since September. The program's loan guarantee component remains open but has not seen new agreements this fiscal year. The suspension is part of a broader rollback of federal support for renewable energy under President Trump's administration, which has prioritized fossil fuels over renewables.