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Kathleen Meil is senior director of policy and partnerships at Maine Conservation Voters.
When you close your eyes and picture a farm in Maine, if you are anything like me, the first thing that comes to mind is rolling pastures and a big red barn. This idealized vision isn’t exactly the reality these days. To remain competitive, our agricultural industry has had to evolve significantly in recent years.
And while the large barns are still there, what’s been happening inside and around them has been a quiet, yet profound transformation.
Supported by strategic investments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture made possible by the historic Inflation Reduction Act, agricultural producers and small businesses are embracing renewable energy systems and efficiency improvements. This shift will not only allow them to be economically viable today, but sustainable for the years to come.
Maine Conservation Voters has championed the need for these exact investments. Embedding climate-smart agricultural practices increases the resiliency of our farmers, communities, food supply and economy.
Maine has long been a stronghold for small-scale farming and rural enterprises. We are the home of the back-to-the-landers and the originators of farm-to-table. But with shifting temperatures, extreme storms, contamination from forever chemicals, invasive species and changing growing seasons, these communities and businesses face unique challenges.
The USDA has stepped in as a critical partner, providing crucial financial support to empower local producers and businesses to adopt renewable energy solutions and enhance energy efficiency. Just last week, they announced a $4.3 million investment in Maine through the Rural Energy for America Program.
Through the rural energy program, grants and loan guarantees are made available to help offset the costs associated with renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines and biomass facilities. These investments not only lower energy bills, but also reduce reliance on dirty fossil fuels — the proverbial win-win in clean energy policy.
In addition to renewable energy, USDA funding supports a spectrum of energy efficiency improvements tailored to Maine’s agricultural and rural small-business sectors. With narrow margins and ever increasing costs, investments in energy-efficient equipment, lighting upgrades and insulation enhancements can make a real difference to profitability.
None of this would have been possible without the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant federal action to tackle the climate crisis ever. As we approach the two-year anniversary of this ambitious legislation, we are seeing what happens when dedicated funding to a program like the Rural Energy for America Program is able to offer more generous grants and better loan terms.
Moorit Hill Farm and Fiber in Troy has more than 70 sheep and operates a custom fiber mill. In 2023, the cost of electricity to run the mill was steadily increasing. But with support from USDA grants and the Rural Energy for America Program, it was able to install solar panels on the roof of its sheep barn in February 2024. Now that red barn is covered in black panels, a visual representation of energy independence and a business that values sustainable practices.
Beyond the immediate cost savings, these USDA investments in renewable energy and efficiency improvements strengthen community resilience. By saving on their utility bills, rural businesses can reinvest this money into expanding operations, hiring more local workers and supporting community development initiatives. This virtuous cycle of sustainable growth bolsters the overall economy.
Maine Conservation Voters was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 and as climate change continues to become more destructive, the importance of resilient, renewable energy infrastructure grows ever more apparent.
In the years to come, the Inflation Reduction Act’s funding will continue to show up across Maine. Whether it is solar panels on red barns, heat pumps on residential homes, or offshore wind turbines being built and operated right here in the Gulf of Maine, it’s all a part of transforming our state’s energy landscape and meeting this moment.
