WDTN - Brown Announces New Resource for Clean Energy

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Two Darke County businesses are among 900 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country that have been awarded resources to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that 4-E, Inc. and DBA M&M Petrol & Pantry were awarded $13,850 in new federal resources to develop a flexible fuel pump in Darke County. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Rural Energy for America Program helps to increase the production and use of renewable energy sources in the United States to reduce America's dependence on foreign energy sources.

"Agriculture and energy innovation are critical to Ohio's long-term economic development," Brown said. "Growing Ohio's clean energy economy in small towns and rural areas like Ansonia help to create jobs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Developing clean energy will put Ohio communities at the forefront of the innovation and energy independence that America needs to out-compete the rest of the world."

The USDA's Rural Energy for America Program provides payments, grants, loans, and loan guarantees for rural American companies and organizations seeking to develop renewable energy sources, including biofuels, solar, and wind systems.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers works to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Rural Energy for America Program grants are a 2008 Farm Bill initiative that offers funds for farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other funding sources for small businesses. In all, USDA announced more than $11.6 million in energy grants today to help many agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption.

Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on both the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee. Agriculture is still Ohio's largest industry. As the first Ohioan in more than 40 years to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. Brown is looking forward to working on behalf of Ohio's agricultural community as the Senate considers the 2012 Farm Bill. During the authorization of the 2008 Farm Bill, Brown traveled around the state to listen to Ohio's farmers and take their ideas to Washington. Brown helped secure six major provisions that will improve and reform the farm safety-net, support rural communities, promote renewable energy, encourage healthy diets, and protect natural resources.

Brown has held more than180 roundtables throughout the state, and he is the first Ohioan to serve on both the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee. Agriculture is still Ohio's largest industry.Anson

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