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Interagency working groups will meet to focus on supporting rural energy

October 28, 2019

2 Min Read
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USDA and the Energy Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote rural energy and the development of technologies that will support and advance rural and agricultural communities and domestic manufacturing.

The signed MOU, which was required under section 6501 of the 2018 Farm Bill, will enhance collaboration and coordination between the Department of Energy and USDA. The areas covered by the MOU include:

  • facilitating energy-related investments in America's rural communities;

  • streamlining, leveraging and optimizing program resources;

  • encouraging innovation;

  • offering technical assistance to rural communities;

  • strengthening energy-related infrastructure;

  • ensuring affordable and reliable power; and

  • helping rural businesses export energy products and manufactured goods around the world.

“Energy creates jobs, supports local infrastructure expansion and provides new opportunities to increase economic development in rural communities,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy.

“This MOU will do an immeasurable amount of good for our rural communities,” said U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “Rural America deserves the investments in energy infrastructure, technology, and businesses that will be produced by this MOU.”

USDA and DOE have convened interagency working groups. The working groups will focus on five major areas:

  1. Develop and expand energy- and manufacturing-related businesses, industries and technologies in rural America;

  2. Encourage investments in new or improved rural energy infrastructure;

  3. Enhance capital access for energy-related businesses and industries in rural America;

  4. Support rural community investments that anticipate growth associated with rural energy investment and development; and

  5. Encourage, support and invest in cyber security initiatives and grid improvement.

The working groups will be co-chaired by representatives of USDA and DOE. They will meet at least quarterly and prepare a report to each secretary within a year of the first meeting and each year thereafter on actions and projects on which the departments will collaborate.

Source: USDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

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